The Gods Must Be Crazy

[leeputmanjr]

Howdy Gang!

I thought I'd give y'all an update. We found what made my engine NOT happy:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/leeputmanjr/2525979773/

Check your oil, fellas! If it gets too low, and you smell a sulfur smell, you're frying your bearings!!! Little bits of them end up in your oil pan, and you have to do this:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/leeputmanjr/2526801238/

This is quite an education, believe me, but being unplanned during the BEST part of driving season...well...most nights I just try not to cry!

Here is my "new" block:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/leeputmanjr/2545619456/

The cylinder walls still have nice cross-hatching, and the rod bearings all looked good, so all I've done is replace the oil pan & gasket, and the pilot bearing. Cleaned and painted the block.

Tonight I pick up the head from the machine shop, and I have a few nights to prep and get organized before Staurday's Chi-FLU Wrench-Fest & Cook Out. We'll put the block back in and re-install the head, and try to find each of the thousand loose ends required to get this beastie back on the road!

http://italiancar.meetup.com/46/calendar/7991676/

With this great block and a rebuilt head, she should be running better than ever, and I can't wait to enjoy the DRIVING part of Driving Season!

-Lee

[leeputmanjr]

I'd appreciate tips and hints on putting the block back in the car...

How to line it up, fit it together, easiest way to assemble it and the bell houseing, with that damn metal plate around the starter...

Thanks, Guys!

-Lee

[rlux4]

Thanks for the nice set of pictures Lee.
Ron

[ventura ace]

I'd appreciate tips and hints on putting the block back in the car...

How to line it up, fit it together, easiest way to assemble it and the bell houseing, with that damn metal plate around the starter...

Just be sure to put those thrust bearings back in correctly. I don't know how the one in your picture came out -- maybe they can do that if put in backwards. There is a spec for crankshaft free play. Check to see if you meet it, and if not, you may need to get different thickness thrust bearings.

As far as installation goes, be sure that the clutch friction plate is properly aligned with a clutch alignment tool, or else you will have an awful time trying to slide the tranny input shaft into the crankshaft. Replace the pilot bearing in the crankshaft if you haven't already. Remember the tin shroud, since it is trouble to slide it in there after the fact, should you forget about it. If you have the bell housing hollow alignment dowels in proper position in the lower bolt holes in the engine block, they will help hold the tin shroud in place. WIggle things around a bit, and the engine block should slide into place easily. If not, don't try to force things, but figure out what is not lined up properly and tend to it. Everything will side together easily, when done right.

Follow the shop manual word for word (or use 3 or 4 manuals, since they all have errors or lack of needed information for some steps)!

Alvon