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Trans cross member stripped and painted along with a couple of springs:

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The block has been machined and the heads have the hardened valve seats installed.

I decided to do a roller cam conversion. He test fit the roller lifters and the bar-links clear the block fine. Block is tapped for the spider.

He's going to balance the rotating assembly and get it assembled. Thinks I'll have it back by the end of the coming week. I'm getting excited. I still have some cleanup, prep, and undercoating to do from the firewall back. The cold weather/snow is putting a damper on getting things done.

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The Fedex truck showed up with another parts shipment so I couldn't resist putting on the new shift ****. It's the small things that keep you going:

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Small progress....

New PCV grommet so the valve covers can go back to the engine builder:



New shifter bezel:



And finally, I had really planned on staying stock, but at the last minute I decided to convert it over to a 4-barrel. New black Performer 289 intake:

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Finally got the engine back!! It took just short of 6 months. Hopefully it's worth it. Specs on the rebuild:

- Bored .030"/.010"/.010"
- Hardened Valve seats
- Flat top hypereutectic pistons
- Double roller timing chain
- Comp Magnum Cam (31-412-8) Roller Retrofit Cam
- Comp Roller Retrofit kit (lifters/rods/rockers)
- Beehive springs
- Full balance

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A little more buildup:

- New Ford Racing roller-pilot bearing installed
- New separator plate (don't ask about the old one)
- Flywheel/clutch/pressure plate installed

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New z-bar mount:



Exhaust Manifolds installed:

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Fuel pump/oil pressure sensor installed and new water pump:

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Engine and trans found their home again today:





Carb and Air Cleaner mocked up:

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Also removed the original steel gear and got the bronze gear installed to play nice with the new cam: