767Jockey -- Build Thread Update?

[elmariachi]

Donde esta la el nuevo blocko de alumino?

( I know my Spanish sucks, I am a white Okie.)

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by elmariachi

Donde esta la el nuevo blocko de alumino?

and el pictureos of el crappo blocko...

[elmariachi]

Originally Posted by patrickt

and el pictureos of el crappo blocko...

otflmao...

[767Jockey]

Email with pictures was just sent to Patrick. Let me know if it comes through OK. Thanks!

[mickmate]

The political correctness and sensitivity is humbling!

[767Jockey]

Originally Posted by mickmate

The political correctness and sensitivity is humbling!

This is a politically correct and very sensitive crowd here at Club Cobra - haven't you heard?

[patrickt]

[elmariachi]

Is that how it arrived or what it looked like after machining on your end? Forgive me if you noted that earlier.

[767Jockey]

A thing of beauty, ain't it? Three months, many, many dozens of phone calls, and so much more to resolve this. Unbelievable.

[mickmate]

Cast iron swiss cheese...........

[767Jockey]

Originally Posted by elmariachi

Is that how it arrived or what it looked like after machining on your end? Forgive me if you noted that earlier.

On arrival, it looked ok. The main saddles had machine marks in them but no evidence of porosity visible. The cylinder walls had one small nick in them, but again no evidence of porosity in them. My engine builder called them and said that he was concerned, and they said to him, and I quote directly "go ahead and machine it, it'll be fine." When it turned out like this, they told me to go pound sand on the machining bill I was stuck with. My top choice in remedy was a new iron block and they pay for the machining bill, as I was way over budget and have no real desire for an aluminum block - I'd much rather have the $700 back in my pocket. However, they flat out refused this, and my only available remedy was to take the aluminum block, effectively making ME eat the $700. Now, I have to spend ADDITIONAL money to machine the aluminum block. These guys are the poster children for bad customer service. It gets much much worse, all the details will come out once I know the aluminum block is good. This is only the tip of the iceberg.

[elmariachi]

Wow, I am sure glad I didn't buy one of those blocks. From any source. Everybody busted my ba!!s for running 40 year old parts. My FE solid lifter might be junk but it didn't look like that. Good for you for never giving up. Hopefully the aluminum block will bail you out.

[patrickt]

I think, if you want an iron FE block, an original or "service block" is pretty much your only viable option nowadays. And, of course, all the major FE engine builders are on record in this forum as saying iron is clearly superior to aluminum in all respects, including weight.

[eschaider]

Originally Posted by 767Jockey

Guys, it was like pulling teeth right to the very end, it was made as difficult as it possibly could have been. These guys are brutal, just completely brutal to deal with. I'm planning a long and thorough fully documented thread once this is all done, there's lots you don't know. These guys are just ABSOLUTELY brutal and shameless.

By the way, how do I post pictures to a thread when CC tells me they're too big? I'm a computer zero.

767Jockey,

I am glad you finally have a decent shot at a happy ending. I am waiting anxiously for the blow by blow.

By the way posting pics of the legal posting size is not that hard. Just put the flaps down, keep the nose up, watch your air speed and flare it a little before you touch down ...

Great perseverance, amazing patience and impressive due diligence - you earned a happy ending!

Ed

[elmariachi]

So how are you coming with your engine saga and your build?

[767Jockey]

Originally Posted by elmariachi

So how are you coming with your engine saga and your build?

Well..........unfortunately I'm sort of dead in the water right now. The darned block company took so long to resolve the problem (at least I HOPE it's resolved - I assume the new Aluminum block is good, but with these guys from Genesis you never know. I take nothing for granted with them anymore.) that the engine builder couldn't wait anymore and had to move on to customers behind me in line. I am now three engines down the line with him, waiting my turn again. I couldn't ask the guy to wait forever, he's got bills to pay and mouths to feed. He's been doing this a long time with FE's, and when I told him to get me a Genesis block he sort of winced and said "You get it - I don't want to deal with them and their problems." Smart guy, he knew what I was getting into. He tried to talk me out of it, and I wouldn't listen. It was the only iron block available at the time and I jumped on it. I figured "hey, it's brand new - what can go wrong"......If only I knew then what I know now, but that's another story. Anyway, now, because I supplied the block the problem isn't his, it's mine and therefore I lost my place in line. I understand his dilemma. Anyway, looks like next year for me to drive this thing. Thanks, Genesis! As far as the project, I can't do a hell of a lot more right now until I dump the engine and trans into the frame rails. The wiring is about 75% done, but I want the engine in place and the body on the frame before I proceed because I'm to the point where wires have to start being cut to length and I'm trying to do a really neat job - I want lengths to be exact and the whole job very sanitary. I had Nick Acton do a bunch of work for me. He welded in the Classic Chambered 3" core Cobra pack mufflers and had the pipes ceramic coated in white. He also made me a beautiful aluminum Comp gas tank and straps, just a gorgeous piece of work, basically an original Comp tank modified to fit a Contemporary. He's also making me a frame to mount the Fluidyne radiator in the original laid back position, as Contemporary used an upright radiator position similar to Superformance. I want the more original look, and he will be supplying a pusher fan setup with this as well. He's also making me an original style gas pedal / linkage setup for the Contemporary. He's already supplied me with an original type floor mounted pedal box for the brake and clutch pedals. When the car is done I have no doubt that it'll be one of the better Contemporary's out there. When it is done..................whenever that is.

[mickmate]

Doug's back onto it. It's like any project, stand back and look at it and you really see how far you've come. Dougs doing a great job and made huge progress. He'll really see that when he puts the body on.

[86Sebring]

Doug
any updates that you can share? Are you progressing with a different engine?

[767Jockey]

Yeah, slowly but surely, like a turtle in winter I'm progressing. I just got in from the garage after spending a few hours with the second engine. I have the shortblock done and ready for paint. It's a 390 GT shortblock. I pulled the main and rod caps, and the bearings are perfect. From the condition on the bores with all the crosshatch still sharp and visible to the bearings being in like new shape, I am fairly well convinced that this engine was rebuilt just before I traded for it. I didn't ask much about it since it's intended use was for a dummy engine to position and use to weld the FE mounts to the frame in the proper position. I actually got the whole engine in trade for a pair of bare Cleveland 4V heads. In the end, it turns out to be a REALLY sweet 390. Someone obviously rebuilt the engine. It has new freeze plugs, and it had an aftermarket Crane hydraulic cam in it. I can't use the C6AE-R heads as they are not drilled for the proper exhaust header pattern. My engine builder for the stroker has a virtual Ford Cammer and FE museum in his basement and he picked out a set of sweet DT2E-AA heads that he had laying around. He threw in a set of stainless valves and a set of springs and retainers that he had that perfectly match the cam that I'll be using. I guess he feels pity on me, he only asked for my old heads and $100 for the new ones. I'll toss in a Comp 282S solid cam and a roller timing chain, and I scored a cherry Milodon "T" road racing pan and pickup for $125. I'll throw a Pertronix unit in the stock distributor and hook it through the MSD 6AL that's in the car already, and top it all off with a Performer RPM and a Holley 750 Double Pumper. Most of the guesses I've been getting are in the 400 or so HP range when it's done, that should hold me pretty good until the stroker is done. Once it's mounted between the frame rails I can drop the body over it and finish up the wiring and interior. In the meantime, Nick (Mickmate) has welded up an absolutely beautiful Comp fuel tank for me, so I have to try to make time to get up there to him and pick it up, which is harder than it sounds because I am also finally back to work!

Anyway, that's probably more than you wanted to know, but that's where I'm at. Just as I said last year, I hope to finally drive this thing in the Spring. Of course, as usually goes with me, nothing is easy. I am now going through a divorce, so the thing may very well go up for sale as soon as it's completed.......

[86Sebring]

good to hear that there is progress, I have a 428 in mine with about 350-400 horses and it is plenty to blow away most other cars and scare myself silly at times.
Sorry to hear about the divorce, that just sucks.
good luck