My "Late Life Crisis"!

['69Novajoe]

Another area I had to address was installing the flywheel, new pilot bushing, clutch assembly, bellhousing and transmission. Who knew that finding a “good” pilot bushing was going to take some doing??!! In my research I found out that sometimes; after installing them, the ID closes up a little bit. Well that’s exactly what happened to me!! My engineer neighbor actually 3D printed a dowel to use as a “go gauge” to check it before we tried to test fit the trans. I ended up having to buy the correct size reamer to remove a few thousands of an inch!! He then made me a drilling guide to ream out the bushing and everything finally went together like it should!! Notice I used allen headed studs to “hang” the trans on to help with installing it. I also used some for the valve covers and headers!!

[Bill Pritchard]

Originally Posted by '69Novajoe

Who knew that finding a “good” pilot bushing was going to take some doing??!!

Joe, did you not use the pilot bushing that came with the Centerforce clutch? Mine came with a roller bearing pilot bushing.

['69Novajoe]

Originally Posted by Arrowsmith

You’re doing a great job Joe!

Thanks so much Wayne!!

Originally Posted by dykstra

Can't wait to see some burn out videos.........

Yeah, me neither!! Spoiler alert.....I haven't even tried one yet!! But it does feel pretty good from a roll!!!

Originally Posted by Bill Pritchard

Joe, did you not use the pilot bushing that came with the Centerforce clutch? Mine came with a roller bearing pilot bushing.

Mine didn't come with a bushing or bearing. I've heard different opinions about using bearings, which is what I had in my other motor. Some say they can lose their "lubrication" and seize up??!! So, I just decided to go "stock" and use a bushing. A lot of the ones I found were magnetic, which is not what you want in a bushing. The one I was after was an "oilite" type, but settled for some sort of "bronze" one.

['69Novajoe]

Here I was starting to mock up the fuel lines from the new mechanical fuel pump. If you remember from the dyno session, it was determined that my old pump wasn’t able to keep up, so I went with this Edelbrock unit #1721.



Also notice the plate for installing the motor is bolted on?? Yep, it was about time to install it!!



I also forgot to mention that we weren’t able to save the original Edelbrock Performer RPM intake from my old engine and went with a new Edelbrock Performer RPM Air-Gap #7501.

['69Novajoe]

And after what seemed like months (because it was!!), it was time to install this little beast!!

['69Novajoe]

Looks snug as a bug in a rug!! Header clearance was amazing especially considering their size, 1 7/8”!!

['69Novajoe]

Continuing on with the alternator, which needed a completely different upper bracket due to the new Air Gap intake. And notice I was trying to keep the stock type fuel filter.

['69Novajoe]

I was also trying to keep the vacuum sources separate, one for the PCV valve and the other for the power brake booster. These fittings worked perfectly!!

['69Novajoe]

More fuel lines going in.

['69Novajoe]

Time to get the new Cold Case aluminum radiator painted up and installed. Along with heater hoses, clutch fan and shroud. I was trying to keep everything aluminum as much as possible. So, we have an aluminum intake, aluminum heads, aluminum water pump, aluminum heater core and even aluminum heater hose fittings!! It’s beginning to take shape but more “issues” are on the way!!!