Jerry..aka: "Alarmist at Large"
Man, you know how to take the glow off a Saturday morning...
Block SPLIT...? rather hear "stock-split"...THAT I could deal with..will look for everything as this unfolds.
65' 289 with the 5? or 6? bolt bellhousing set up, not the earlier one...had heard it was stronger than some series of the 302's (maybe the early 80's roller blocks). Anyway, I doubt my engine was 425 on a good day...most of you guys are running a LOT more power than I am.
The Dart block, especially with the 4.125 bore is a great idea, but looking is about all that is in the budget right now...ok...in aluminum...hmmmmm
Good point on the lower end support introducing distortion. The supports' mass isn't enormous, but if they can increase stiffness, they could induce distortion. Seems if a line bore/hone is done with the main caps torques in place, you would add the girdle at that time as well...like a block plate for boring cylinders.
Have been comparing notes with David G on
oil pans...Canton and, now, the AVIAD have the "
oil-pick trap door assembly" mounted on the diagonal, not straight ahead front to rear. Anyway, David G, and others are running the diagonal setup without significant
oil pressure problems for some time.
Speaking with John at AVIAD yesterday he alluded the diagonal setup, which they do now use, is better. He said removal of the scrapper like I did is probably not of great consequence anyway, although I will replace the scrapper. My AVIAD pan was sourced about 2001 and has the original fore/aft trap door assembly.
Questions for today...if the #2 main CAP has turned blue on the edges, does this mean that a line hone/bore is necessary? Of do you just measure and see where are the journals end up?
Will be taking things slowly here, hope to have the engine out next week and start the complete tear down, measuring and hoping most stuff.
Thanks again...will be looking for ideas as I plan the rebuild, so stay tuned.
Pete