mattb73lt

2 hours ago, Mark T said:

Looks like it's ready to start.  Did you have it running yet ?

Not yet. Still lots to hook up. I did finish the oil system today and fill the crankcase with over 8+ gallons of oil. Later, I cranked the engine on the starter, no fuel, and was able to build 40 PSI on the gauge. Fixed a clutch linkage issue, somehow installed a bell crank backwards giving a very stiff pedal. Much easier now!  Had to dodge rain showers all afternoon and finally called it quits about 4:30 due to that. Stuck the hood on to give the engine some cover.

Man, I got a LOT put back together today. It was faster mostly because I wasn’t fabricating every little piece and kept it pretty well organized as it came apart.

Back where it belongs!!! I was getting everything ready this morning and I lined up the engine while I was waiting for help to arrive. Then I thought, let me give this a try and with a little effort it dropped right in!

It must’ve been all my previous practice that helped!!

Got a lot reassembled today. My friend is sending me a 5,000# lift on Wednesday and on Thursday he’s loaning me a couple of his mechanics to help me set the engine back in. I only need their help for about 20 mins if it goes right and I’ve got everything ready to go. I’m leaving the intake, exhaust and water manifolds off to make it a little easier. Until then I’ve got a lot to do to get ready. I’m keeping my fingers crossed work stays quiet this week as it looks like the weekend is already disappearing.

13 minutes ago, Red Horse said:

Matt, If not Macungie, Brooklyn?

Actually, that was my goal. My chapter has a show this coming weekend and I was hoping that would be it’s first outing, I think Brooklyn is doable.

It’s painted. All I kept thinking about while painting was “I hope I did everything right, because I’m not doing this again, dammit!!”.

I had it upside down for the last time the other day to get the oil pan on. Having the rotary stand was indispensable!

Off the stand, FINALLY!! I need to add a few things to it, then prep and paint. A little more assembly, then back in.

I feel like I’ve done this part before?

It took quite a few attempts to get through the valve lash sequence before they stabilized at the proper setting. I barred the engine over and set, then go through again to recheck and they’d change a little. I gave up last night and went at it this morning and finally got them set. Now for the bell housing/clutch and the oil pan. Then it should be off the stand for paint, a little more assembly and back in!!

This mornings efforts, just need to set the vale lash and add the Jake and the top is done.

All timed up, front gear case assembled, minus the oil pump. Push rods inserted. Cross heads on. Looking to get the rocker boxes and jake brake on tomorrow.

You can start to see the extent of parts that are coming over from the original engine.

12 minutes ago, Freightrain said:

I was thinking that myself.  Like is he just running everything together with just an impact gun or what??  🤣

Yeah, we got a lot done yesterday, but it was time consuming. Setting things up and checking tolerances. A lot to do for each step. Setting up and organizing everything beforehand certainly sped things up. Rocky has been a huge help and a wealth of knowledge. I'm certainly learning my way around a 220 for certain. He's tied up today, but should be able to be here tomorrow. That's been one of the issues getting this done, is having him find the time to help me between calls from his regular customers.

Progress!! Today's handiwork, sleeves, crank, piston/rods, cam and heads!!

Tomorrow, injector timing and further exterior assembly.

It was a good day!

4 minutes ago, doubleclutchinweasel said:

You will soon have an engine worthy of the rest of that truck!

Thanks!! This was a huge set back. Wasn’t trying to get away from doing the engine, just thought I had a good one to go with. Now, there’s not a single item on this truck that I haven’t been through thoroughly, which gives me a great piece of mind going forward.

Just about ready to start the assembly and seeing a big pile of empty parts boxes!! Ran into some technical difficulties with the liner protrusions, necessitating locating shims that are .002" thinner than what we had to attain the proper deck height. I pre-assembled and organized everything I possibly could to cut down on time. If everything shows tomorrow, Wednesday should be the day we start. I used our warming oven in the basement to heat the pistons to allow the wrist pin assembly. Everything else is set to go. Using the next couple of days to clean and paint some parts that are being replaced on the exterior that came off the donor engine.

The engine has become quite the Frankenstein assembly. From the donor we used the block, two heads, rods, camshaft and various small parts. From the original engine we used the crankshaft, cam timing gear, one head, front timing cover and most of the exterior parts and accessories. One head had to be swapped due to it having oversized valve guides that we couldn't locate.