Thread: Picked up my Son's engine yesterday.

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There are only a couple of folks that I let borrow tools - had too many in the past either not come back without a few reminders, broken or something other then what I lent out. The guy across the street borrowed a metric 14mm socket a few years(6-8?) ago - then returned it broken. I asked when I could expect the replacement S-K. We haven't spoken since then as it got "noisy" and over a 6 buck tool. Then there's my buddy who returns a borrowed tool with a 4 pack of Guinness

Loaning tools is always iffy at best. I learned early on from my brother who wouldn't share with any of us, in high school. We all had to buy our own or borrow from friends, because he refused to share. Flash forward to 6 years ago when we built the addition to my house. We shared tools with the construction crew, only to find them, abused, broken or missing. After that experience, I have to know the individual well, before I lend out stuff or borrow for that matter. I have a few close friends, I would give just about anything to help, but they are always there for me too. I guess that's why we are friends.

My shipment from Speedway came yesterday..........some parts for my rpu project and also the ring filer I ordered. It is exactly what I envisioned, just a flat surface to hold the ring straight and a grinding wheel that you turn with a hand crank.

Last night I started filing the rings for his Olds, I was anxious to see how that would go. Out of the box the rings I got were about .019 gap and the engine shop said he likes .024 on the top ring and .020 on the second ring. I opened the gap up on a couple of top rings last night, and used a little fine stone I had to take the sharp edges off. The ring filer worked fine and it really only takes a couple of turns of the handle to remove the amount of material I needed to take off.

We are being super careful this time, don't want a repeat of the last ring issues. Tonight Dan, Don, and I are going to continue filing rings and also to get the crank installed. I scrubbed up the block last night and then shot WD40 all over the bare metal to keep it from rusting. Today I am going to pick up a 460 Ford rear main seal (it replaces the rope seal Olds used and fits perfectly) and some assembly lube.

The more I look at the job this last shop did on the block the more I am impressed. They ground off all the casting flash inside and smoothed the oil passages. Dan was also impressed to see they took the time to line up all the writing on each brass freeze plug so the letters are straight...........stuff like that drives him nuts !

Don

It is always a big day around home when the UPS truck comes............I get the parts and my two helpers get the box.

What is it about boxes and bags that cats find irresitible?

Haha, I know, cool pictures, Bob. Robin sent me these a while back.

Don

It's funny cats seem to love them once they are empty. My dogs are always curious what's inside, but once you open them, they lose interest! You just have to laugh looking at them in those pics Don. I wish we could all have fun with something so simple!

You ever see kids. They have more fun with the boxs than whats inside...Well that was before computers.

Tonight we got a lot done on Dan's motor. Dan and Don finished up filing the rings to get a .024 gap on the top ring and .020 on the second one. While they were doing that I cleaned the pistons and crank in diesel fuel, then wiped them dry. Hardly any dirt came off, and the machine shop said they washed everything before we picked it up.........so I guess they did.

Then we got the crank in and checked the main bearing clearances. The manual says they should be between .005 and .021, which seems like a big spread, but ours came out at .006, so we were good to go. Now the crank is in and torqued to specs. We also lightly scotchbrited the bearings to get the surface slightly shiny.

We were surprised to see the machine shop even tapped every hole in the block, not just the head bolts and main bolts, but even the ones for the oil pan and timing cover. I am so happy I found these guys.

Next Dan and I are going to start installing the rings on the pistons and getting the pistons put into the block. It's starting to look like a motor, and I feel very good about the care we are taking this time around.

Don

Don,
Just a reminder to watch the pattern on the oiled cylinders as you put in the pistons.

Sounds like that engine shop know their stuff Don, I shall be inspecting all your work next week

Originally Posted by 1gary

Don,
Just a reminder to watch the pattern on the oiled cylinders as you put in the pistons.

?????? I don't understand this?????

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

We also lightly scotchbrited the bearings to get the surface slightly shiny. Don

And I don't understand this??? Never heard of scotchbrite to a bearing?? Seems counterproductive...

Originally Posted by 34_40

And I don't understand this??? Never heard of scotchbrite to a bearing?? Seems counterproductive...

Takes the shine off which gives the surface a texture to hold a better oil film. Some do, I don't, but it isn't "wrong"

Originally Posted by 34_40

And I don't understand this??? Never heard of scotchbrite to a bearing?? Seems counterproductive...

i was going to post on his and threw my post out But i can not leave it a lone .this was something we did as some bearing had a flash for breakin on them and could move. bearing s are much better now no need to still do this.

sorry not stepping on any ones toes.. but take it any way you will the bearing are dull out of the box and that finsh is the best to keep hands off