After going through a butt load of scenarios on what to do for a rebuild, I decided to just re-use my parts. The only new parts I'm getting are Harland Sharp 5017 rockers. After the issues with the other rockers, I needed something better. At one point I had placed an order for Eagle rods and KB pistons.
I had my extra crank turned, rods re-sized and wrist pins on three pistons fixed (pistons didn't move without force). Had the rotating assy balanced. Got the crankshaft installed tonight. Hope to have the motor back in by Sunday. Glad it's my Friday off day tomorrow.
I'll add, my motor leaked oil from where I think was the rear seal. After putting in the new rear seal tonight, I had the first one in the wrong way (2 piece rubber Ford 460 seal).

 

Glad to hear your making progress. I wish you the best of luck.

 

Dan, offset the seal so that the halves of the main cap and the halves of the seal DO NOT line up. It will help seal it a little better.

 

Yeah I did, about 1/4 inch. Hard to tell if that 1/4 went into the cap. I guess the cap won't go on if the seal gets pinched. It went on ok. Can't believe I had the damn thing in bass ackwards on the first build.

 

Thanks.

 

Real glad to hear your progress,really hope its gonna hold up this time,fingers crossed.I right now have to decide if im gonna go over to the dark side or not,im living in the wrong country i guess

 

Thanks, I hope it holds and bet it does. My fingers are crossed also. I'm anxious to get it back together but I need to take my time and do it right.
By dark side if you mean Chevy, if it's available and cheaper to get in Sweden, by all means. It's still GM. Nothing wrong with Ford or Mopar either. Parts for Olds seem to be more expensive, the supply and demand excuse which I guess makes sense.
Hope you get your car back on the road soon.

 

Almost done with the short block. Wish I had more room. Been raining so I can't move the cars.

 

Engine's painted, need to install intake tonight and drop in car tomorrow. At this pace should be running by Monday.

 

Engine is in the car. Didn't think I'd be able to do it alone but it worked out. The Harland Sharp rockers come in Tuesday, hopefully the valve covers will work with the new rockers.

 

Glad to see you are making such good progress. Your car reminds me a lot of mine when I had the spinners on it.

442backyard.jpg

I have had the same problem with my engine, two rebuilds in less than 2,000 miles and it's broke now. From what I gather it has to do with the timing curve in a higher compression motor especially with the HEI style distributor.

Thanks for sharing your build with us.

 

Why did you paint the engine "FORD" blue? At least you could have used bronze or just copper color or just black.
Gene

 

I just painted it the same as before, actually a GM blue from Dupli-Color that NAPA had. Thought about the bronze but figured I'd use what paint I had.

 

Got my rockers today (HS 5017), now just waiting on a couple of gaskets and an oil pump driveshaft. Yes, still got the 750's for now, 500's in the near future. Got to sell my John Deere tractor first.

 

Did you recently get this car or not long ago, for i see it still has California black plates.
What did you do to set the rocker preload?
Gene

 

I got it back in 1991 when I was stationed at Moffett Field. Bought it in San Jose. Haven't gotten Maryland plates yet, guess I'll keep the CA plates as long as they let me. Got a CA title with a Maryland address. I'm probably breaking a few laws.

 

The rockers are on for the picture, haven't set them yet.
As for setting pre-load, what I did before is when exhaust valve starts to open, set intake by tightening locking nut to zero lash then go 1/2 turn more. When intake valve fully open, do the same for exhaust. Assuming this is correct.
Also since these rockers open the valves a little more, i checked for coil binding.

 

Dan, looks good! I can't believe you went from questions about crank to installed in the car in such a short time. Good job! I am finally ready to install mine but HAVE to send the engine over to DaVinci Performance for a dyno tune. My dad is too curious to let it go so we'll be dynoing it next week. I figure I can wait

 

I live in my garage. I spent three days there. When I have good days, have had Parkinson's for 4 years now, I take advantage of it I just hope I didn't rush things. I guess I'll find out soon enough.

 

Nice job but I have to agree that looks like Pontiac blue to me.

Love those A bodies!

 

Ran engine today. Goose neck leaks because one bolt hole is stripped, need to put in a heli-coil.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17BCPglzM7M

Not the greatest video, in a hurry because I knew the thermo-stat housing was leaking. Nice belt squeal also.

 

Awesome! Great to see Dan! I'll try to post video of mine next week at the dyno. Gonna be a fun day Tuesday...I get to hang around all day and watch Faerman and DaVinci tune my engine.

 

Well I fixed the thermostat leak and took the car for a short spin. I need those smaller carbs.
Well I sold my John Deere and will have some spending money. A new radiator (Griffin), 500 cfm Thunder series carbs, new fuel tank (current one patched), electric fuel pump, and some new tires and wheels. Cragar S\S's and M\T tires. That should do it. Maybe a sound system.

 

Nice work, what headers did you wind up using?

d1

 

They're a set of Doug Thorley's that I bought back in the 70's. Finally got to use them. I've had the intake and carbs that long also.

 

Better vid of car running.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mc2I4MJiWbo

 

Sounds great! Is that a Connecticut plate on the wall?

 

Thanks. Yes it is a CT plate. Off the 66' 442 I had in high school. I grew up in Bristol.

 

Really? I live in Southington.

 

Hey Dan, what are the specs on that cam? It's got a pretty good lope

 

241/249@.050, .539/.555 (.573/.589 with the 1.7:1 rockers), 110/106

Lunati 60805


Got my GMPP tall valve covers today, I had 3 gaskets under the MT's and still wasn't enough.

 

Got a pic of the GMPP valve covers? Are they stamped with anything?

 

Steve,

Pic attached. Just installed to see how they look. Need to drill holes for breathers. Also they came with 5 mounting holes, the others have been pre-drilled so I assume you need to finish drilling. Not sure if 5 will hold. Pretty hefty covers so maybe 5 bolts will hold them.

 

5 is enough...how much were those? Those are BA! I need something better than the tin chrome ones I got.

 

I paid $142.95 each at Summit. Nice solid covers.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NAL-22525295/

 

SO...no way the Harland Sharpe roller rockers will work under stock Valve covers?

tom
68 442 convt (drivers fender this weekend)
70 F85
95 Aurora (clunks after right hand turns...wtf is that?)

 

They worked at first with 2 gaskets but would make noise above 3000 RPM. I wanted to double check my lifter pre-load settings and when I re-installed the covers, it sounded like every rocker was hitting. I installed a 3rd gasket so I could make an event with the car. I have the 1.7:1 ratio rockers.

 

How tall are those GM valve covers and what is the catalog number Please. This is just what I am looking for as I have a full roller rocker set up on my 455 to install in my 48.

Thanks in advance

 

They're 4" tall from bottom of flange to the top. Outside measurement. My M/T's were 2 3/4". This is the Summit page: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NAL-22525295/

 

Great looking project!Does your car have a A/C box ?I'm wondering if those valve covers would clear on my 72.That duel carb setup looks very cool too,Thanks,BO