Back from the Engine Shop!
I got the Engine back from the shop after a couple of weeks, and it
looked pretty good!. I had to do a little touch up painting, etc. but Otherwise
it was ready for the pans. When ever you take an Engine in to be overhauled.
Do NOT give them any parts that they don't need to rebuild. Also make sure
you write down exactly what you take them. The shop I worked with lost my
Valley Cover, and Oil splash pan, and wouldn't replace them, even after several
very heated arguments with me. They had my money, and I had no Proof other
than my eyes, that I had left the parts there! Don't be caught short. Take
pictures, or write down every nut and bolt that you take. Needless to say,
I'll be looking for a new shop for my next overhaul. If you are in the Bay
Area drop me a mail for the name of the shop!
The Pistons are .030" oversized, which is noticeably bigger. I am guessing
that the engine is now somewhere around 400 Cubic Inches. Before I rebuilt the
engine, and with the Heads off, I could turn the engine over by hand, using the
harmonic balancer. Now I need a socket on the balancer nut, and even then it isn't
easy!!
The Heads weren't painted when I got the engine back, but looked like
new! I shot a couple of coats of Cadillac Blue Engine paint, and set the
aside for installation!
I opted for new Intake and Exhaust valves, as well as guides. Whenever
you replace guides, it is pretty much required to do the valves, since the stems
loose a few thousandths over the miles. The heads were also decked to get them
perfectly flat for mating to the block.
In addition to new guides and valves, I also replaced the springs,
keepers, and tappets on the rocker arms. I didn't replace the arms themselves,
but did have them buffed and I had new springs installed.
Before I could install the engine I first had to get the oil pan and
Cam Chain cover on. No big deal. I used silicon sealer in the corners or anywhere
I thought leaks might be a problem. The front and rear seals were my biggest worry.
The harmonic balancer then went on. I used the harmonic balancer bolt
to turn the engine over. I needed to make sure that everything was working correctly
before I installed the block in the car.
Next I needed to lube and install the lifters. before adding the valley
cover! The valley cover needed to be installed because the oil breather tube bolts
on using a transmission mounting bolt, to mate up the transmission the oil breather
needs to be in place.
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Author: Bill McKenna
email bill@mckennasgarage.com