Ok so today i got my rod bearing clearances and they all came in right at .0025 . I also file fitted one of the second rings. that took me about 10 minutes and the top ring is a harder material so that will probably take 2 to 3 times as long and the oil rings i will need to file just a bit . So appx 8 hrs to do all the rings. Its really coming along and im pretty excited to build it . There are still some parts i need but thats once the heads go on.

 

What are you using to file them?

 

I'm using a rat tail file . LOL jk I'm using a proform hand filer .

 

If you have a die grinder and are VERY careful, you can do it much faster. Use the side of the wheel and give it a little kiss, then us a file to de-burr.

 

I don't mind doing it manually . Specially since its my first time id rather take it slow . I already filed one ring a little too much but since it the second ring according to all the info its fine. I only went over because I miss read my instructions and filed to .0045 on the second vs. .0035

 

A diamond hone would make it pretty easy and would have to be used by hand so no worries about getting too aggressive with a power tool. I don't remember where I saw them, but somebody makes a set of four different grits and they are 2X6 inch plates about an eighth inch thick. I would think plates that size would be easy to keep square to the end of the ring.

 

i have the manual ring file. pretty much uses a 40 grit cutting wheel like you would use on air grinder / cut off tool . Just like when i do my body work i rarely use power tools to bust down filler usually I go straight for the block to not run the risk of taking too much filler off . For de burring im using a 600 grit stone which we use to file down runs in clear coat if it happens.

 

Well i got the rings all filed up. I screwed up 2 sets ( 2 individual ring packs ) . 1 was because i read the instructions upside down . and the other ring i filed just a bit too much. about .002 too much wether or not its negligible im getting 2 ring sets for the two pistons and setting them up to match the rest. No big deal it was my first time filing a set of rings and i expected something to go wrong. With that being said once those are done im ready for assembly . I wish i had pictures but im moving along pretty good. Its only took me 4 hrs total to file the rings. Once you get the feel for how much pressure and how many turns you start to move fast. I gotta start prepping the block for assembly so im probably gonna spend a better part of a day cleaning everything and making sure its clean and debris free although it was cleaned by the machine shop i still have to follow through and do it.

 

well I got my rings de burred , I installed the crank ., fitted the cam and made sure it turned freely with no major resistance. Tommorow i have a bin full of parts to take to pops shop to media blast and degrease . Hopefully tommorow i will have some time to Install the cam , and the pistons to degree the cam. I hat to dry fit the pan as i noticed there was a bend on one of the pan rail ledges. Not much excitement but its coming along.

 

Alright so we are making some progress in my camp here. I got all the pistons in , the cam is in timing chain is on. Im going to degree the cam tommorow which was already degreed once before with the same timing set but im going to do it again. Also painted some parts that i had my dad clean at his shop. From here on out things will move fast untill i need to order head gaskets and pushrods. Only 200 bucks but we are gearing up to hit the track next week and then in august so things will only move as money allows. This build might be taking a loooooooooooong time but i think its well worth it. I do not plan on installing this engine this season unless i really need to but my current 355 seems to be holding up very well as i have been putting some hard miles on it . Over the winter i would love to have it dyno tested .





https://scontent.fhsv1-1.fna.fbcdn.n...c1&oe=56246C87

 

I've got my stock length pushrods but you're using roller rockers, right?
Lookin' good!

 

Its a zero deck block with the heads being milled almost .030 and a head gasket thickness of .045 im gonna need to find out my proper length with the checker.

 

Yeah, probably not the stock length then. You still have a decent checker? I can toss you mine if you need it.

 

Ok guys. I got the last few parts i need To finish my build. I got new arp head bolts , and ai bought a cloyes timing set as mine was a degree off when i degreed the cam. I know i know One degree is almost nothing but 75 bucks is cheap insurance and a good way to double check my specs. I also odrdered my valve seals. went with viton seals as its the best way to go. I decided against thicker head gaskets . im going to just run it at 10.15 to 1 compression. Should be fine on pump gas. My buddy also hooked me up with some ford roller rockers so we will run those and see how they work out. Getting close. The girlfriend wants to get into racing ( and build her own stuff )so my current engine and trans will go into her oldspowered whatever we find cheap car lol. This new engine should kick a little more *** than the current one.

 

Your girlfriend rocks! But uhh.....what if she beats your time?

 

Mac., she is awesome. We plan on building an older dodge dakota. Its way lighter than my pig 72. She will probably be wayyyy faster than me .

 

Well i got the heads installed tonight. Went with arp head bolts , The heads where ported by 67cutlass freak . Just kind of put the intake and valve covers for a cool pic lol.

 

Love Freak's sig!

 

It's how you can tell if your irons are good or not.

 

I had to revive the original thread because its been so long but this engine powered my car to 11.49 @ 113 mph with a 1.54 60 ft time. th350 4500 stall 4.30 gears and its still streetable cruises around 4k rpm. dont ask me speed becase speedo is busted lol.

This engine has 200 passes + and 3k street miles. i just took the engine apart and still looks great !!! Doing a freshen up on it new main bearings and cam bearings ., rod bearings looked great . 67cutlassfreak is putting in bigger valves in the heads and looking them over as well.

here is a video with many passes over the years.

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