Getting ready for Bonneville(rebuild)

[jl222]

What is the difference in ring-gap between this motor and the AA motor?  What kind of rings?

  AKERLY & CHILDS  rings with a dykes type moly ring for the top.

  Ring-gap has changed a lot since the AA motor was assembled a lot more gap
Supercharged fuel / gas
  Top ring .oo8 per inch of bore
  Second ring .0065 per inch of bore
  Oil ring rails  .015  to  .035

[saltfever]

Thanks, JL . .  .that is exactly what I was interested in. 

[bvillercr]

Yesterday we got the block completely cleaned up, checked clearances on the main bearings and then installed the crank.  We put the cam in(not timed yet), the harmonic balancer, the front plate, and the timing senson on.  We could not find our ring gapper(grinder) so we could not put the pistons in or time the cam.  We need to order a new ring grinder and once we get it then the pistons will be put in.  Anyone know where to buy an electric one?  We also spoke with Scotty Owens who built our trannies and he is looking to see if he has taller gears for our overdrive.  That's it for now, Happy Easter everyone.

[Freud]

It's just as well that you are two blocked anyhow.

This way you won't be thrashing when you should be doing the Easter Egg hunt.

Happy Easter.

FREUD

[jl222]

   We got the block bb honed and all cleaned up, checked clearance on new main bearings and installed crank -cam- front cover-harmonic balancer with blower drive and magnetic pickup holder. Then turned the shop upside down looking for ring grinder :x Guess I'll have to buy a new one for it to show up.

             JL222

 It said 2 replys had been posted while I was typing, should have checked :-P

[DSR88]

That's not funny but I can relate,Buy a real nice ring file so when you find the old one you won't feel so bad.

[Dynoroom]

This ring grinder is no longer made but I can't live without it!

Don't get one that is battery powered!

[saltfever]

That is a nice one. First one I have seen with a mic on it which allows you to cut a known amount. All the others you are "flying blind" when you make a cut. For that reason (and because I only do 1 or 2 engines per year) I just put a file in the vice and draw file them. Takes all day though! 

[jl222]

  Found the ring grinder and we got a couple of pistons in yesterday after getting all set up. More filing this afternoon.


            JL222

 

[bvillercr]

All of the slugs will be in today.

[bvillercr]

We did get all of the rest of the pistons put in yesterday, we had to do a little work on some of the pistons but all is good.



We also tried to find a convienient spot to put our new water injection unit, well there is no easy spot in this car anymore.  The unit will go behind the driver between the funny car cage and the wheel tub.  Here is a couple pictures of the unit.

[bvillercr]

Things are coming along a little slow, but we are getting there. 


A picture of setting the cam timing.



Engine is all timed and cover and fuel pump installed.



One head is complete, the other will be finished sometime this week.



The second head will be assembled in the next few days and the engine should be completed this weekend and put in the car.  Lots of things to do, it's crunch time again.

[bvillercr]

Had a bit of a set back on Friday, we were preparing the heads to go on the block and as I set one in place(with silicone and gasket on) I noticed we were missing the studs that go in the head.  So my dad called down to the head shop to see if they still had them(we didn't take them out, we thought), he said he didn't.  So I went down there to see if maybe he had found them and no luck.  He did have some short chevy studs that were the same length so I took them(only 4 and I need 8 )  So I had to search for more, I found some that were slightly shorter so we used them.  

So after torqueing these suckers down I was sweatin.




We got the manifold all cleaned up and installed too.



We found out that we are missing the studs for the valve covers???  We didn't take those out either, hummmm, looks like another phone call to come.  So hopefully the local hardware store has some that we can get, we only need about 13.  So as always in a race year we are a little behind for the May meet.  Lots of late night ahead.

[mkilger]

looks like your going to Elmo in May?   

[Dr Goggles]

Now, I'm figurin' you've got those valves so if something goes missing, like those studs, you can stick your whole head in just to check that they ain't in the cylinders.. ...they're massive!....everything about that motor is big and brutal.... Buy some more studs, the more you spend on them the quicker the old ones will turn up and of course the better condition they'll be in .......



white walls, white shirt...you guys know how to keep a clean shop....our's is more like a coal mine than a kitchen..... and I don't , for obvious reasons , wear a hat like that when I'm wrenchin'.......

I hope it all goes smoothly from here for yers, always inspiring to watch.