Engine Assembly

In this section I'm going to detail the engine work.  As you can see, I didn't get much as far as engine parts for this: Block, heads, crankshaft, rods, intake  is about it.  The rest I plan on buying from Summit.   

April 30, 2000

    Picked up the block from the machine shop (Weldon Auto in Lansdale, PA).  Had the block spec'd out, and the crank, rods, and pistons all balanced.  I bought an engine rebuild kit from Summit Racing, which included forged pistons, bearings, gaskets, rings, etc.  I had the shop install the cam bearings, hone the cylinder, and install the pistons on the rods.

    After Plastigaging the crank journals, I realized that they were ground .010 under.  Glad I checked.  Bought the 10 under main bearings from a local shop and after rechecking, the clearances looked good.

    Installed the crankshaft and torqued the main caps.     

May 14, 2000

    After my 1st attempt at installing the pistons resulted in breaking a piston ring,  I borrowed a better ring compressor from the machine shop.  I checked ring gap, plastigaged the rod journal clearances.  I installed all eight pistons/rods and torqued the rod caps.

    I'm refinishing the original oil pan, and timing chain cover and am having the machine shop clean and magnaflux the cylinder heads. 

June 15, 2000

    Got the cylinder heads back from the machine shop.  I had them inspect the heads and install the new valves, springs, etc.  Installed them on the block. 

    I also installed the CompCams Camshaft, and timing chain.  The specs on it are pretty much stock, very similiar to the one that came on the 360 h.p. version of the 396. 

    I took the intake manifold, Muncie 4sp transmission to the machine shop to get checked out and cleaned up.  I'm going to start installing the rocker arms, pushrods, lifters, etc soon.  When the intake gets back, I'll pretty much be ready to paint the engine and install it on the frame.

August 15, 2000

   Got the intake manifold back from the machine shop, where they bead blasted it.  Installed it with the balancer, oil pan, timing cover, etc. and degreased and cleaned the assembly, making it ready to paint.

August 16, 2000

   I primed it with a thinned out coat of POR-15 (chevy orange), I didn't use this for the top coat since I found out this wasn't the correct shade of orange, and it was too thick that it hid the casting marks on the block.  I then topcoated it with 4 cans of Plasticote. 

August 27, 2000

    I decided to go ahead and put the engine on the frame so I could work on getting the clutch and tranny done.  I supported the rear with a pile of blocks.  When I get the muncie 4sp back from the machine shop I'll paint it and install it along with the bellhousing and clutch assembly.  By the way, thats my wife supervising the installation.

December 4, 2000

    Finally got the Transmission back from the machine shop.  The previous owner had said that it was rebuilt.  I took it in just to have them check it out.  I'm glad I did because it wasn't done very well at all.  The rear thrust washer was missing, the synchonizers were on backwards, there was metal chips and dirt all over the inside of the case.  I went ahead and bought a  rebuild kit and had them completely rebuild it.   When I got it back I detailed the tranny, the bellhousing, installed the clutch/flywheel/pressure plate assembly, and then installed the tranny.

December 17, 2000

   I also rebuilt the Holley Carburetor, the distributor, and bought a rebuilt starter from Jeff's Dated Components in Reading.  I also ordered an alternator from him and had him re-finish my exhaust manifolds.  All of these parts are the "correct" ones with the right part numbers and dates. 

    I just bought a complete exhaust system from Gardner Exhaust which I plan to install next week when I get my exhaust manifolds back. 

    After all these parts are installed I'm going to try to start and break-in the engine.  Stay tuned!!!

    I'll continue this in the CHASSIS section on the Main Page...

   January 14, 2001

   Updated Pictures of the drivetrain in the CHASSIS section

6/28/2001   Decided to wait to start the engine.  In order to properly break it in, it needs to be driven.  So I'll bag it and wait till then.