Thread: Sunday Red: A 1932 Roadster Build Log Started in 2022

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Originally Posted by rspears

My questions remain active, but I had a thought about your camshaft. You mentioned earlier that you were getting rid of the EFI, which I'm assuming (though it's dangerous to assume) means that you're also getting rid of the ECM/Computer too, right? (Question #4, added) That stock cam grind is for a variable timing setup, with the total advance mapped against RPM while considering the A/F ratio, barometric pressure and knock sensors. I'm thinking that it may not be the best profile for a fixed curve distributor, but I'm not really sure. At a minimum I would talk to a Tech at one of the aftermarket cam companies. Perhaps one of the others who are more versed on cam selection can chime in after you confirm or clarify your intent on your engine build?

The stock EFI / electronic controls cam won't even be close to optimized for the engine, going back to a carb and non ECM distributor change the cam requirements significantly. I would question the logic of putting a used cam and lifters in a fresh engine anyway, normal wear and tear for a bunch of street miles have taken their toll on the components, I'm sure.

It is going to be a weekend with a variety of things that can be done! I spent Friday afternoon picking up my block from the machine shop. Overall I think they did an OK job but it came back a lot dirtier than I expected. I'm going to have to spend a lot of time de-gacking it and they also forgot to put in the cam plug. So much for trusting a "good recommendation".

But, I'm going to keep moving forward and keep doing what I can. That means that I can do some painting - following the UTG video, which I think is great - and I can prep the block to go back on to my stand until my rebuild kit gets here.

First coat of primer is now on my cylinder heads

Keeping the engine on the hoist is actually making it a little easier to handle right now





As for the carb conversion, I am not the first person to attempt this on a 302 (far from it). In fact, it's one of the reasons I chose this engine out of this particular car (1994 Mustang). It's a very, very well supported platform with a wealth of information out there. So I have found a lot of information online for that process and I am continuing down that road

First coat of primer is now on the engine. For some reason this made me really happy - it feels like the engine is now in a rebuild phase instead of a tear down phase. So it's good to make that progress.




While I was waiting on the machine shop, I used the time to clean up all the other parts that I need to put the cylinders and valley back together. All the parts came out great and are ready to go.

Originally Posted by rspears

Inquiring Minds Wonder:
We love pictures, and yours are great but....
1) Did the machine shop grind the valves or just reassemble the heads?
2) You say "Crank came out .10 for the main and .10 for the rod. Everything else should be standard." What is "Everything else?"
3) You say "I don't think they even touched the camshaft because it was perfectly fine." What would you expect the machine shop to DO to a camshaft, and why would you even send it to them? Sounds like you're planning to re-install the stock cam vs buying an aftermarket, so why?
4) Are you doing away with the stock ECM/Computer and stock distributor?
Just trying to understand your process, and not trying to be critical in any way but answers to all three questions would be appreciated.

JimBeam, you seem to have a problem replying to direct questions that are posted, and instead post general statements about following YouTube Videos for your trusted advice. In the latest post you show a box of miscellaneous parts, saying they are all cleaned up and good to go for reassembly, including the roller lifters. Do you not understand the importance of putting a lifter back into the same hole it came from, to maintain the roller to lobe match if you're re-using a cam? Are you totally ignoring the advice that your stock cam is junk for a non-computer controlled engine? If you're relying on YouTube Video's why are you asking for advice here, only to ignore it?

Can you answer these questions for us?
1) Did the machine shop grind the valves or just reassemble the heads?
2) You say "Crank came out .10 for the main and .10 for the rod. Everything else should be standard." What is "Everything else?"
3) You say "I don't think they even touched the camshaft because it was perfectly fine." What would you expect the machine shop to DO to a camshaft, and why would you even send it to them? Sounds like you're planning to re-install the stock cam vs buying an aftermarket, so why?
4) Are you doing away with the stock ECM/Computer and stock distributor?

I checked on all the items once more this afternoon before calling it a day.

1. I put some more primer on spots I missed earlier
2. It is a little cold in my region so I'm going to give a full 24 hours for the primer to cure. Some spots on it were still a little "soft"
3. I opened up the can of red paint I bought and the hue is just plain gorgeous, I think it's going to look really, really good
4. I placed another order with Summit to get some of the remaining plugs and bearings that I'm going to need to start the build. I anticipate starting with the crank and cam on Tuesday or Wednesday of this week

A pretty good day for progress overall, I'm just excited that I'm finally building up instead of tearing down

SO.. I guess you have your answer RSpears.. say goodnight.

Goodnight, and Goodbye.

Again, Turn out the lights the party's over

A Tale of Two Paints

Continued on my engine painting today. The red paint went on very thin and is going to need multiple coats while the Aluminum paint went on as easy as can be. I did not proceed with paining the block because I want to see how the heads turns out first before committing to this color. But I think the heads will look just fine as soon as I give them a second coat and some time to off-gas.

I just finished what should be the last coats of paints on all components. I held up the timing cover to the engine just to see where that was headed and I like how it looks!

Some more Summit components arrived today that I need for the rebuild. I'm going to give everything plenty of time to dry, wash everything after that and I hope to be building up the engine by the weekend.

Nice thread just started to follow!

Today I ordered some welding equipment from Eastwood and I'm looking forward to teaching myself how to weld. I did some in high school shop but that wasn't MIG and it was "many moons ago". But I'm looking forward to it and I have plenty of time to get ready before the chassis gets here. It will be fun, it's always good to learn a new skill.

Originally Posted by stovens

Nice thread just started to follow!

Really?

And with these little 3 plugs, I am now officially in the building phase


Obviously also added the cam plug


I manage to pick up some scrap metal today so I am ready to practice when my welder gets here next week. I'm also going to continue the engine build this weekend and I'm looking forward to that. Here's the plan:
FRIDAY - Engine goes back on the engine stand and shop cleanup and organization. I'm just one person working in a small space, so this could very well take most of the afternoon.
SATURDAY - Engine wash and cleaning. Just looking to get all of that shop gak off it and prep it for building
SUNDAY - Cam and crank go in. I have my plastigage ready to test my crank and I'm sure it will go just fine
I also intend to order more parts to have them ready to continue the build next week. Next big purchases are the pistons and the intake manifold. Most likely going with the Edelbrock Performer for the manifold.

Really happy with the progress made this weekend. Here's the update:

1. Managed to get the engine off the hoist and onto the engine stand in only 30 minutes - woohoo! That lets me put the engine hoist away and gain some more room back in my shop.
2. Finished all engine painting
3. Gave the block multiple baths, including all the oil galleys with some bottle brushes
4. Bathed it in WD40 to prevent rusting. I live in a very, very dry climate, so I'm not overly concerned about rusting, but did this anyways.
5. Did all the oil plugs and the cylinder head alignment posts
6. Did a dry fit of some of the bolts that I have bought for the engine just to make sure that everything is going to go in without issue.
7. Did a mockup of the engine just to see how it was coming together and it made me really excited!

Next up is to work on the internals of the engine and I will pick that up on Monday. I'm soaking some parts that I will need for that overnight.

Here's some pics from the mock-up, I'm getting excited.