Sunday just might be the day

[LuvDaBlues]

It's been a two steps forward, one step back process, but tonight was three steps forward. I just might be ready Sunday to drop the 427 in.

Clean engine compartment bay ..... check.
New engine mock-up (except spark plug wires) ..... check
Cure the aluminum leprosy ...... check
Modify and ensure motor mounts fit ...... check

I have a handful of things to complete on Saturday then Sunday morning and should be good to go.

Anyone interested in helping east of Dallas again, let's say 1:30?

OK, OK, we'll do pizza this time. I have beer left over from the 460 "pick"

[damdfw]

Sorry, I will be out of town this time. Looks like I will miss the fun stuff.

[jwoodard]

Steve,

I think I can be there. Send me your address.

[SSSammy]

Steve, I plan to attend Some final checks since you are putting in a different block, bell housing, and tranny:

* Zero'd the bell housing or mounting plate? Did I loan you my dial indicator, can't remember. Do you need it?
* Confirm hyd throw out bearing spacing, .100"-.200" from diaphram fingers. You probably did this in your mock-up, just checking.
* Clutch plate same # splines as tranny input shaft?
* Did you remember to install the pilot bushing?
* Confirm tranny mount holes will align with frame mount when tranny bolted up.
* Tranny output yoke same # splines as tranny?
* Drive shaft length ok?
* Fuel line location ok? Correct bits to take the fuel up to the carb?
* Correct radiator hoses?
* FE alternator mount clear of frame? (I had to use a unique ERA mount).
* Starter bolts up to block ok? Pinion gap to ring gear in spec? Cable terminal does not touch anything?
* Distributor same type as before, same connection to MSD?

Then, after the drop .. that magic moment when you confirm that the header flanges and side pipe flanges align

Misc needed later: Hyd bleed hose and cup, DOT4 Brake Fluid, Synchromesh tranny fluid - 3 qts, motor oil, filter, new fuel filter, air filter .. yadda, yadda

Sam

[LuvDaBlues]

Zero'd the bell housing or mounting plate?..All predetermined by Quicktime
Did I loan you my dial indicator, can't remember. ...Nope
Do you need it?...Don't think so. Quicktime will not adjust anyway
Confirm hyd throw out bearing spacing, .100"-.200" from diaphram fingers. You probably did this in your mock-up, just checking.....Will verify Saturday
Clutch plate same # splines as tranny input shaft?Yep, all completed during mock up
Did you remember to install the pilot bushing?Oh yeah
Confirm tranny mount holes will align with frame mount when tranny bolted up.We'll find out Sunday
Tranny output yoke same # splines as tranny?...All matched up
Drive shaft length ok?... To be determined
Fuel line location ok? Correct bits to take the fuel up to the carb?...Will verify Saturday, not show stopper for Sunday
Correct radiator hoses?....I'm praying on that one, the existing "Cool-flex" hoses were expensive
FE alternator mount clear of frame? (I had to use a unique ERA mount)....Now that's a good one, but when mocked up, all parts within "engine envelope"
Starter bolts up to block ok? That's a story within itself
Pinion gap to ring gear in spec? Haven't measured, but hand turned the engine and starter and all overlaps and clears well
Cable terminal does not touch anything?Wait until you see that set up, terminals on the BLOCK SIDE
Distributor same type as before, same connection to MSD?....Yep

Then, after the drop .. that magic moment when you confirm that the header flanges and side pipe flanges align....The price I paid for the headers and spacer, I hope the #@$^ so. My side pipes did not get finished. Enduro shelved my project due to Autorama this weekend. So I'll have to align the drive train to chassie later.

Misc needed later: Hyd bleed hose and cup, yep
DOT4 Brake Fluid...Nope, McLeod said only DOT 3
Synchromesh tranny fluid - 3 qts, ....Yep
motor oil,Soon to purchace
filter...Oil filter?, soon to purchace
new fuel filter Good idea
air filter New one came with the engine

Everyone needs to check this thread on Sunday to verify I completed everything on Saturday.

[SSSammy]

If you like, I will bring the dial indicator and we can do a measurement of the bellhousing just to confirm. You're right, they are not adjustable in and of themselves. You have to buy eccentric alignment pins in either .007", 014", or .021" variation depending on your measurement. Or, like in my case, the variation was so far out (.028"), I had to drill out the bellhousing alignment pin holes and have JDean weld on the collars. The Tremec spec allows max variation of .005".

If you want to do the measurement, then mount just the flywheel, not the clutch, till we get that done. Put the bellhousing on, but just snug the bolts, don't need to torque them. The pins determine the alignment.

Sam

[jdean]

Wow, and I thought Jim's 289 upgrade had a lot of steps......I will try to make it Steve since the custom grind cam is about a week and a half late...and not much we can do until maybe next Wednesday.

[LuvDaBlues]

Originally Posted by SSSammy

If you want to do the measurement, then mount just the flywheel, not the clutch, till we get that done. Put the bellhousing on, but just snug the bolts, don't need to torque them. The pins determine the alignment.

Sam

Well S^%t Sam. I already mounted the flywheel, disk, pressure plate and bell housing. Torqued, locktighted and ready to go. I have inserted and removed the transmission 3 or 4 times without much trouble. I think it should be OK. I'm relying on Quiktime, the bellhousing is non-adjustable.

Just picked up some kerosene to flush out the oil cooler, and distilled water for the radiator and heater core. Think I'm in good shape. Just have to fight the cold garage this weekend. I'm going to try and have everything plumbed for start up two weeks from Sunday. Next weekend I'll be in College Station with the Mustang.

[jshel1]

Count me in for Sunday at 1:30.

[JRoss]

Steve,

I should be able to make it. Do you need me to bring my welder to finish up the crate for you other engine? Let me know.

John

[LuvDaBlues]

Originally Posted by JRoss

Steve,

I should be able to make it. Do you need me to bring my welder to finish up the crate for you other engine? Let me know.

John

Yes please

[LuvDaBlues]

Good to go. I'll order pizza when everyone gets here.

[jshel1]

Fun was had by all in attendance: Steve S, John R, John D, Jim W, Sam W, David and yours truly.
Here are some picts:

John doing surgery on the engine stand for the ol' 460



John and Steve guiding in the new 427 aluminum

[LuvDaBlues]

As usual, thanks to all that helped. I enjoyed it. Except for the one knucklehead mistake I made, pretty much went without a hitch. And YES, you can drop an engine into the bay while the car sits on a Pro-Park 7 lift. (Good call Jim W.)

[jwoodard]

Yes, it was a successful and fun afternoon. No biggie on the Pro-Park since I knew it would work from first hand experience. Now get to work and get everything plumbed up and fire that baby!

[LuvDaBlues]

Still the same, two steps forward, one step back. OK, which one of you jokesters set the headers in upside down????

[SSSammy]

Me and Jim did it Never occurred to me .. sorry!
Are they upside down or wrong side? Do we have to come out and pull the tranny and the motor?

Sam

[jshel1]

NO WAY ?

Like John said, if your building a cobra, you do everything twice. We would have caught it if we hadn't left all that bubble wrap on, but we had to protect the mirror finish on those fancy headers.

When are we pulling it, again?

Does this damper the plans for CVAR in College Station ?

[LuvDaBlues]

They WERE upside down. I had to lift the engine with the interior jack lift (I LOVE my Pro-Park 7), remove the engine mounts and rotate 180 degrees.

Note to oneself: Remember, on a SPF header, text on the flange faces up.

At least it was easier to install and tighten the header bolts w/o the mounts in the way. All I could muster up was 25 ft/lbs on the bolts. Very tight fit even w/o the mounts in place. But I do have the Stage 8 bolts. They will not back out.

And John, anything less than an emergency will not keep me from CVAR. But how things are progressing, I'll probably be pushing back another week for start up. No reason to rush and really foul things up.

[jshel1]

Here's to hoping that there are no emergencies. Sent you a PM.