Thread: Project $ 3 K Is Underway

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Thanks guys. I agree that you always hold your breath for a while, no matter if you have only done one engine or a thousand. Sooner or later one will bite you.

So far, so good on this one though. This is the first roller cam engine I've ever done, and it was nice not to have to break it in like usual. I picked up some Taylor plug wires today and some looms, I'll replace those super long temporary ones and neaten things up a bit.

At least now I have some real incentive to get the body done and back on.....tough to take a test drive sitting on bare frame rails.

Don

Finally got rid of the temporary plug wires tonight. Picked up a set of Taylors that you cut to length and spent a little while getting those installed. Didn't want to run them over the top of the valve covers, so I ran them down the back of the block, between the heads and firewall. I also loomed the braided lines going to the tranny cooler. I had no choice but to loop them like they are in the picture because of some clearance issues, but they aren't too bad there, and they seem to function fine, as the transmission took 10 quarts to fill, and no leaks so far.

Tomorrow I am going to spend the whole day prepping the body for primer.

Don

Don,

Nice looking motor. I had similar problems with the trans cooling lines, and ended up using banjo fittings to clear the floor.

Don it's looking good, did you have any heat problems, because I still can't see how the air flows thru the fan shroud. I didn't see a beer in your hands on youtube lol
Brad

Thanks, I have to get Mr. Steadyhand Dan to cut out the hole in the shroud for the electric fan. Surprisingly, although we only had it running a little while, the temp never got so you couldn't keep your hand on the engine. Something I was REALLY happy about is that my coated headers didn't discolor yet. Sanderson warns you not to use them until you get the engine dialed in, or you risk burning the coating, but what are you supposed to do, have an old set laying around to use first? I had no choice but to use them and risk it.

I did toast the ones on my '27 during break in years ago, but I was running two fours, and I think the excess fuel increased the exhaust temp with unburned fuel. At least that seems reasonable. But even burned a little, the coating still held up great, was just a little dull in places.

Don

Don,

Are your bolt heads large enough to keep the 'bone from dropping off if the rod end bearing should fail? I couldn't tell whether you had washers or not.

Originally Posted by Henry Rifle

Don,

Are your bolt heads large enough to keep the 'bone from dropping off if the rod end bearing should fail? I couldn't tell whether you had washers or not.

Yep Jack, used large grade 8 washers that are bigger than the hole if it failed. I also locktited the grade 8 bolt and may even drill a hole through them and use safety wire. I think you can see the washer in this picture below.

Very good point, thanks for asking.

Don

Hey, just because body parts are falling off of me doesn't mean I want them falling off of my car too !


Don

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Hey, just because body parts are falling off of me doesn't mean I want them falling off of my car too !


Don

Here's your button!

I can really relate to both of those situations.


But, I am one day ahead of schedule ! I wanted to get the T body primed by Sunday PM, but we actually got it done tonight. (Dan has waaaaaaaay more energy than me, and keeps suggesting things, like "we could have it in primer tonight if we really tried)

So, about 9 PM we started the final sanding and filling some low spots with filler, and by 12 we were ready to shoot. I let Dan do the actual priming, he has better eyes than me, and he laid on 3 heavy coats of 2 K primer. It really brought out a zillion little pinholes in the body, but that is just what we wanted. Tomorrow I'll start wet sanding the primer, and Monday I'll pick up some spot putty and fill all those holes and voids. After that we can lay on some more primer and do some more block sanding.

I think I am going to paint it myself, for a couple of reasons. My bodyman buddy seems to be pretty busy, and also, we have done everything else on the car, so it will be nice to say we did it all. (except for upholstery) I can control the time factor better too..........my fear is it will go into the shop and sit there for too long. This way I can maybe even have it in color by the end of next weekend.

Here are some pictures of what we got done tonight.

Don

Don, I know what you mean about parts falling off, my pacemaker went off with a low battery warning this morning right after I turned on the volt meter to test electrical outlets. First time it has done this so I'm looking at the meter trying figure out what is wrong with my meter. My sister says it coming from me not the meter. LOL
Brad

Looks great Don, you better geat it done before the snow flies....lol

The way the temps have been down here, I would welcome a cold spell about now, That's why I have been going to the shop after dinner and working til late (it's 3:30 AM, and I just got it........Dan is still there working on his car) But it sure is pleasant at night.

Don

Sounds like you guys are night owls like me...lol

Its nice to work late, nobody bothers you....

Its good to see you and your son working hand in hand, Ive been trying to get my pops out here for months, to help me wire my POS up....Hats off to you and your son...

Harmon

Thanks. Yeah, it looks like you are a late person too. I seem to wake up about 8 or 9 PM, and could stay up all night. You're right, no one around to bother you. Dan is a musician, so he is used to wrapping up around 2 AM, so even when he is not working he and I never seem to get to bed before 2.

Keep after your Pop.........life is too short not to spend time together.

Don