Time for a bit of an update as I’ve received the last few parts, and made my final visits to the auto parts/hardware stores, allowing me now to get all the Winter modifications buttoned up in prep for “The Grand Fire-up” as my mother wrote in an email to me this morning…
Earlier this week, I received the modified Bellcrank tower from Jim Inglese that allows compatibility with SFI approved flywheel scatter shields. Here’s a re-cap of what was originally sent and what resulted from Jim’s alterations. He’s had a batch of these made up to accommodate anyone using scatter shields from here on out. Earlier concerns from the group were focused on the stiffness of the bracket when the bottom attachment hole is removed and replaced by the inner-upper hole on the back of the head. After hooking up my linkage and trying things out, I can report that the revised bracket appears sufficiently stiff.
This is what we had originally and what many have used in the past.
…and this is the result of the modifications. Jim’s fab guy does a fantastic job. The bracket and spacers are made from stainless and everything appears to be laser cut!!
Here is what the bracket looks like in place on the back of the head. There is no tell-tale visual difference from this viewpoint:
Next up is a couple shots of the engine as it sits currently. These pictures show the fitting of the FIA Comp Fuel Log/Water Neck and how nicely the bypass mod has packaged. I hope this works..lol
So this Saturday is the planned day for the “Grand Fire-up”. I have a few more things to button up, namely the coolant system, but there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel. I’m nervously looking forward to it. I’ll see if I can’t get my wonderful wife to take a bit of a video..
- Allen.