Engine build started
#11
The machine shop guys were great, gave me some assembly tips. They even called CP to verify piston to bore clearence was correct during the hone operation (they thought the cp specs were too tight for a supercharged motor). It's nice to know they were looking out for me and concerned about the work they were doing.
I'll put some pictures up as soon as I get the block assembled. Hopefully that will be in a few hours.
Bruce
#12
man i wish i were there to watch....putting a
block together like you are doing, has been a
dream of mine.
i look forward to the pics and also to more of
your comments, about the whole build
process in general.
block together like you are doing, has been a
dream of mine.
i look forward to the pics and also to more of
your comments, about the whole build
process in general.
#13
A few pics:
Main bearings in and lubed
Crank laid in
Measuring total indicated runout. There wasn't any, just a tiny blip on the gauge less than .0001 that was probably from my turning of the crank. Also measured endplay. It came in at .008".
The machine shop had numbered each piston to a bore
Time to call it quits for the evening. Tomorrow I'll put the other 4 pistons and rods in and finish the shortblock.
Main bearings in and lubed
Crank laid in
Measuring total indicated runout. There wasn't any, just a tiny blip on the gauge less than .0001 that was probably from my turning of the crank. Also measured endplay. It came in at .008".
The machine shop had numbered each piston to a bore
Time to call it quits for the evening. Tomorrow I'll put the other 4 pistons and rods in and finish the shortblock.
#16
Shortblock is done. Only thing I could still do is put the rear seal on. It would be difficult to do while the block is on the motor stand. A few more pics:
Last 4 ready to go in
All the rods are torqued at this point. Had my only panic moment here. Side clearances are barely .006". Manleys instructions said they should be .010-.020. Later found the Ford spec to be .0059-.017. For about a half hour I thought it all had to go back for clearancing and rebalance.
EDIT: I was measuring incorrectly. Actual side clearances are .011, .010, .010, .011" respectively.
And this is it. Windage tray back on. It's now bagged. Won't work on it until the new countertop work is done this week as there will be dust from cutting the granite (I was ahead of things on this, took my wife shopping for a new countertop before I started the motor project, everyone is happy). Might get to start disassembling my motor and putting parts on this one next weekend.
Last 4 ready to go in
All the rods are torqued at this point. Had my only panic moment here. Side clearances are barely .006". Manleys instructions said they should be .010-.020. Later found the Ford spec to be .0059-.017. For about a half hour I thought it all had to go back for clearancing and rebalance.
EDIT: I was measuring incorrectly. Actual side clearances are .011, .010, .010, .011" respectively.
And this is it. Windage tray back on. It's now bagged. Won't work on it until the new countertop work is done this week as there will be dust from cutting the granite (I was ahead of things on this, took my wife shopping for a new countertop before I started the motor project, everyone is happy). Might get to start disassembling my motor and putting parts on this one next weekend.
Last edited by BruceH; 11-08-2009 at 02:38 PM. Reason: added revised info
#17
500 will be the max, probably 460-470. My reasons for doing this are to prevent a rod failure and maybe make a little more power. I've been fairly conservative with power so far and don't really plan on going crazy. The line I won't cross is making the car hard to drive in traffic. So far everything I've done hasn't affected the stock feel unless I put my foot into it.
#18
500 will be the max, probably 460-470. My reasons for doing this are to prevent a rod failure and maybe make a little more power. I've been fairly conservative with power so far and don't really plan on going crazy. The line I won't cross is making the car hard to drive in traffic. So far everything I've done hasn't affected the stock feel unless I put my foot into it.
#19
I came to this decision after doing 12 runs down the quarter at a test and tune. WOT at my current power level of 436 has got to be hard on the little 281 ci motor. There are plenty of blocks with holes in them from a rod letting go. It usually comes as a shock to the owner. Just because a motor handles the power at the dyno and a few passes doesn't mean it is going to take it forever.
#20
hey bruce i can see why you were a little
worried, about the side clearances. seems
pretty important for oil flow, out of the
rod bearings.
do you plan to install oil pressure and
oil temperature gauges to keep an eye
on things?
worried, about the side clearances. seems
pretty important for oil flow, out of the
rod bearings.
do you plan to install oil pressure and
oil temperature gauges to keep an eye
on things?