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Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
Visited Roger's Automotive again today to drop off a spare flexplate in case they need it for the balancing process. Gotta love that Safest Rust Remover/Evaporust stuff. Two hours of soaking cleaned up the rusty flywheel nicely. (I degreased it completely first).
Before: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...1-img_1335.jpg After: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...2-img_1337.jpg |
Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
The balancing of the rods and pistons are done but they are waiting on the crank to get back from being ground. Good news was that both the rods and the pistons had less than a gram variance between each individual piece. So very little had to be done to them.
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Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
Since we will be adding a bunch of horsepower to the car I figured it was time to install a tachometer to keep an eye on things.
I did not want to change the dash in Gramma's car by installing a Rally gauge setup with tach because that would require a complete dash wiring harness change along with a ton of other items. So I decided to go with an old school tach I had sitting on a shelf in the garage. I have had this particular Sun Super Tach II for at least 30 years and it has been in over a half dozen cars of mine in that timespan. I also did not want to drill a hole anywhere in that pristine dash. And of course there is not enough room on the column for the old school hose clamp over the bracket installation as the turn signal lever is in the way. In addition, the majority of the lower column moves due to the functioning back-drive linkage that locks the shifter in place when the key is removed. So I pulled the dash fascia and located some existing mounting screws. I then use some bodyshop hammers, a vise, and an anvil to hand-make a mounting bracket that extends out under the dash overhang. I located a vintage flat mount Sun tachometer bracket on ebay for $11 and drilled a couple holes in my handmade bracket and voila, the tach sits very nicely in view. It doesn't block anything behind it other than an idiot light or two, and it looks rather 1970's nostalgic. My Franken-bracket: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0-img_1351.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...1-img_1352.jpg And the installation. The drop down distance of the horizontal bracket is just enough to keep the two mounting screws from touching the underside of the padded dash. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...2-img_1367.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...3-img_1362.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...4-img_1365.jpg |
Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
----Geez, Steve! you covered up all the idiot lights. What will you do???.......Bill S
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Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
They still function with all the existing stupid sensors. I installed an Autometer mini gauge pod in the console pocket a couple decades ago. Also using existing mounting holes. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img]
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Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
Nice work!
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Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
BTW, if you look at the above photo through the windshield, sitting by the woodpile, you will see two NOS 15" studded, whitewall, radial, snow tires. Is anyone building a vintage 1960-70's station wagon they could use them on?
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Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
Hello njsteve i noticed you used the bop rear seal from butler on your other post. how has the seal performed to date i ordered a butler 467 ci rotating assembly for a 69 400 & included was that seal.Ive heard mixed negative and positive results about that seal.thank you marc.
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Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
I've used it on three engines in a row and none leaked. Just follow the directions to the letter. BOP have just come out with a new one-piece version that you make a single cut in, to install but I chose to go with what I know works. The bad rap about the seal you are referring to is mostly from bad knockoffs of their seal and not the actual BOP unit.
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Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
I still had the pressure washer that my buddy loaned me for cleaning the engine block a couple weeks ago, so I decided to throw Gramma's car up on jackstands and clean the underside. The frame rails look beautiful - never crunched in or rusted out! The only issue on the car is tail panel that is behind the urethane rear bumper fascia. Poorly repaired when the car was repainted 25 years ago. Glad I waited since they now reproduce the tail panel and inner reinforcement panel. Too bad I have to buy both full panels just to use the bottom couple inches of both.
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...-img_1384a.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...-img_1392a.jpg The frame rails look great (though I proceeded to blow off the grime and undercoating that hid the original white overspray. Please ignore the graffiti-esque marks in the wheelwell body schutz that the pressure washer made. I used a wider nozzle later to clean that up. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9-img_1387.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0-img_1385.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...3-img_1389.jpg |
Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
It's a slow day 'round here so me and the boy decided to play with the block. I showed him how to properly install the main bearings in the journals. (and made him read the tiny stamped print on the back of each bearing shell to verify that they were all the correct .010 undersize bearings).
We also painted the block with some of the leftover Bill Hirsch, Inc., engine paint that I had from when we did the 350. (1975/6 Pontiacs were painted a unique metallic blue color that looks very similar to Oldsmobile Blue engine paint. We used a sponge brush and it came out great. The stuff dries slowly enough so that no brush marks appear anywhere. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0-img_1407.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...1-img_1409.jpg |
Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
oooooh, shiny paint! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]
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Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
Are you building that to stock specs.Looks like a nice project.Keep up the good work.
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Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
Not stock. They barely had any horsepower in 1975. Around 155 for the 350 and 200 for the 455. This one should be around 400 horses or so and 500 lbs of torque. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif[/img]
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Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
Ive always liked that blue.. Reminds me of LeMans.. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]
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Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
Over the past couple years several people have asked me why I painted the engine the same color as the car. Just a coincidence that they look like the same color. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]
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Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
Crank and the rest of the internals are all finished with balancing and ready to go.
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...8-img_1419.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...7-img_1418.jpg |
Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
Nice. What did you do with the rods?
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Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
They reconditioned them - they were a little out of round on the big ends so they shaved the cap mating surfaces and then honed them to proper circular dimensions. They also have ARP bolts installed. Everything all balanced up to match the crank. Probably a lot of overkill for an engine that won't be turning much RPMs but trying to teach the boy that you should do it properly the first time, so you don't have to do it over again a couple years later. Unless, of course you want to in order to make two or three times the horsepower. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img]
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Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
Sounds right to me!!!
Can I stop by when you are bored with a W-31? Ryan |
Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
Nice.. Your machining guy this a crap ton quicker than mine.. My guy has had a customers shortblock for 2 months.. But what can you do when he is the best around.. I usually take him one and then another a month or 2 later.. He stays covered up.. I bet I know what someone is doing this weekend!!
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Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
Now that I have my parts home I can give you his name and number. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img]
It's Roger's Speed and Machine in Garwod, NJ https://www.facebook.com/Rogers-Spee...1697/timeline/ They are an old time shop and do great work on all sorts of engines - Chevy, Olds, Pontiac, Ford, Mopar. Very reasonable prices and have always been speedy with the service. Check out the page 3, storage room photos from the 50th Anniversary party for the shop. You Chevy guys will need a drool cup... http://sharkeyimages.zenfolio.com/sh...th_anniversary One of the machinists has an evil sounding, silver 1970 LS6 Chevelle that he brings to the cruise nights in my town. |
Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ryan1969Chevelle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sounds right to me!!!
Can I stop by when you are bored with a W-31? Ryan </div></div> I need something to pry the boy away from that darned X-Box. On Saturday we will be installing the crank, and a piston or two and then measuring the installed deck height. We need to find out exactly what it is to see what the eventual compression will be. Depending on the variation with the 6X-4 heads, could be from 92-96 CC chanbers, ranging from 9.3 to 9.8 to 1. |
Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
Cool Steve. I picked up my 0.030-over short block last weekend. This one has been balanced, and the beam edges of the rods have been polished as well as the ARP bolts added. I'm going to cross my fingers and run it as-is after I pull it apart and look it over.
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Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
I am digging the blown 392.. I want to do a hemi at some point..
Page 3 is [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/drool.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/drool.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/drool.gif[/img] I really like the crankshaft holder.. Great idea! Too bad they are in New Jersey.. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif[/img] |
Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
Hi steve heres a pick of the 69 400 block im working on ordered milodon caps for the block.Threw it on the bridgeport and drilled and tapped the outer bolts before it goes for line bore.might have to do the thrust cap myself because alot of shops here are reluctant to do it.
p.s: sorry about the image angle, had trouble uploading it. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...75-photo_3.jpg |
Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
That's the nice thing about the 455 blocks, they are already drilled and tapped for four bolt mains. But don't tell that to all the craigslisters who think it is something really special and should demand twice the price.... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img]
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Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
We looked high and low for a 73 and under block for either 400 or 455 and couldnt find one here in canada.His rotating kit has the 400 journals in witch butler recommended to him.
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Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
Crankshaft and rear main seal installed. Lifting done by me. Boy did the torqueing. He was actually able to pull 120 lbs on the torquewrench this time. (he finally weighs 98 lbs.) Now it has to sit overnight for the BOP rear main seal to set.
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...5-img_1422.jpg |
Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
Steve the seal seats itself how does that work.thanks marc.
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Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
You have to set the two piece lip seal into position with a specific amount of silicone sealer in the anti-rotation notches that are built into the block. You do not fill the area with sealer, otherwise it will cause too much pressure and cause the lip seal to fail. That is why you drop in the crank, bolt the mains down and don't rotate the crank for a day, in order to give the sealer time to cure.
We just finished up measuring the ring gaps in the cylinders and then installing the rings on the pistons. Getting ready for piston/rod installation tomorrow. |
Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
That makes sense good to know thanks.On the chevys i use the brown aviation sealer with the seal staggerd a quarter inch from the parting lines its always worked good for me.Those serrated knureled areas in the crank of a pontiac have puzzeled me.Almost every one i talk too around here has had leaks.
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Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
The boy and I installed the pistons and rods today. We each did four. I got the odd side and he did the even side. (Ignore the harmonic damper puller on the crank...it was the only thing I could find with the proper threads to go in the crankshaft. I didn't have a spare balancer bolt anywhere). [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]
Got the old dial indicator set to TDC. Checked the deck height with using both a flat edge and feeler gauge and then verified with a depth caliper. Got -.016 for both readings on all eight bores. Checked the ring gaps yesterday prior to installing rings on pistons. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...8-img_1434.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9-img_1441.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0-img_1442.jpg Showed him how to measure rotating torque...and told him several more times to keep his left hand off of the measuring indicator....I figured after he got incorrect readings after ten or fiftten revolutions he would eventually listen to me and do it properly without the interfering hand. He finally got a reading of 300 inch pounds. I made him do the math to convert it to foot pounds. (25 lb.ft.) https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...1-img_1439.jpg |
Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
What do you use to lubricate the rings during assembly?
Steve |
Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
I used some 5W-30 oil on the bores, rings, and wrist pins. Lubriplate 105 on the bearings. I actually used up the tube that I had for the past decade or so, on this engine. Had to break down and buy another tube at NAPA for $7.99.
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Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
Wow.. That photo of your son gave me flashbacks to when I was his age and my father passing down his knowledge.. Very cool and glad to see he is staying interested.. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
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Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
I am trying!
I was just perusing some old emails and ran across this one from his sister about 9 years ago. She would critique his behavior as a toddler and then email me. Here is her description of his actions during a visit to his Gramma's house: <span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">"in about 2 hours he did the following: poked me with a pen, scribbled on my paper, destroied my tower, mimmicked me, scribbled on mom's drawings, stole grandma's french fries without asking, wiped syrup on me, spoke rudly to people, stole my french fry and then licked it, called mom a sponge head, clanded silverware even when mom said to stop 5 times, said mom draws horrible, kept poking me, stuck his tunge out at me, hit me 13 times, really hurt my arm by squezing it, made a mess with butter and got butter every where, threw a fit about not getting to sit in the back, and said "shut up everyone i'm trying to sleep!!!" and now he has that evil look in his eye so I better watch him closly"</span></span> Gotta love those memories. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] Yesterday we visited my parents and on the way home he was trying to do his high school Algebra II homework in the car. His sister was helping him since she is a math wiz and a junior in college. It was an updated version of the email above. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] |
Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
Checked the main bearing oil clearance today. They all seemed to be between .0015 and .00175 (just shy of .002 on the plastigage.
Here's an .0015: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...5-img_1460.jpg |
Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
Steve,
I don't comment on your threads enough but I am always following them. Well done. I love plasti gauge. Such an easy way to check the machine shop. Your offspring are going to be some of the few who still know how to build a vintage engine in years to come. I plan to pass the touch as well. Currently in training: http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps3o0htyyj.jpgn |
Re: Gramma's Car: the new project!
Nice pirate hoard of parts!
My son was at the kitchen table a few minutes ago and was doing his history homework. The assignment involved interviewing someone about an event in the past. He picked the prior engine rebuild of Gramma's car from 2011. It seems that I remember a lot more than he does, about events four years in the past when he was ten years old. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img] |
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