Big grin, major milestone!

[zachmac]

So, first drive today after a very long period in which I did a lot, engine rebuild, suspension rebuild, all new interior, etc, etc, etc. In any case drove it to the alignment shop, got it aligned and it tracks, goes and stops like new!!! Very happy camper; back among the living / driving. Lots of little to do things on the list yet but overall very pleased. No leaks to speak of, runs cool, shifts smooth; life is good.

[nelsonj]

Congrats - great news and a great feeling when all the hard work (and $$$) final gets results your happy with.
How about some pictures?

Peace.

[zachmac]

Here are some pictures. Lots of details to tend to yet but driving! Yes the seat belts are a priority!

[RRoller123]

Nice!!!

[joelittel]

Your car looks beautiful, I love that red.

Congratulations on a successful rebuild, that is no small task.

[nelsonj]

Very, very nice. The interior looks wonderful (low back seats?, and a 83ish center consul and mirrors? I hope it doesn't rain!). Did you do anything interesting to the 2L? Looks like a custom header.

Again, very nice, and congratulations. By no means a small task and looks very nice.

[zachmac]

Very, very nice. The interior looks wonderful (low back seats?, and a 83ish center consul and mirrors? I hope it doesn't rain!). Did you do anything interesting to the 2L? Looks like a custom header.

Thank you for the compliments.

I went with higher compression pistons (4 mm dome) and a full overbore. Shot peened the rods, balanced and blueprinted everything during assembly. Had moderate porting done and the valves slightly un-shrouded while the machine shop freshened the head. Isky springs. Of course all new gaskets and bearings everywhere. Cut the lobe off the end of the aux shaft. New water pump, alloy crank and water pump pulleys. EMPI progressive carb. Allison's head gasket and head bolts. Earlier single plane intake. Gear reduction starter, 95 amp alternator, and a 12inch electric fan and 175 degree external; thermostat to keep it all cool.

I'm not sure whose header that is as it was on the car when I got it. It is coated with a jet-hot like substance as is the down pipe. I also have a 4-2 manifold and down pipe so I am still debating which to use. Lots else I haven't mentioned but those are the main points. I have a lightened flywheel as well but the way they machined it it was a hair to close to the block and fouled the starter gear when just spinning. I realized later I could have just inserted a shim between it and the block but by then I had the stock unit and tranny back in the car. Maybe a project for some future date or I'll sell it off.

Car pulls strong. I have a friend here in town with a stock 76 I sold him so we'll do some side by side pulls and compare.

Oh, and not low back seats; just haven't had time to re-upholster the head rests yet.

[nelsonj]

This engine sounds really, really nice. My next rebuild I want to get the compression up to around 9.8. I'd like things balanced, but I've never understood what "blue printing" is/does.

Did you do anything with cams?

Also - with the higher compression piston, I understand the 2L will become an "interference" engine (sorry, cutting the lobe won't address the piston valve issues). Just FYI.

Again, sounds great - I'd love to do some of the work you've done. Any plans to dyno it to see what you have? You should be in the 110HP range (just a guess).

Again, very nice and sounds like it will be a blast to drive.

[zachmac]

I used some modeling clay during a dry assembly to check valve to piston clearances but yes, it is definitely now an interference engine. That just means I better keep the timing belt in good condition and everything lined up! However, if I were to break a belt or slip teeth I would be looking at bent valves at the best. But I'll accept that risk for the extra umph! The aux shaft lobe was just to eliminate the possibility of #2 rod cap interference as I run an electric fuel pump.

Blueprinting is just assembling everything with all the clearances and torques in the middle of the spec range.

I think I am probably mid 9s for CR. I didn't CC it and measure. I wanted the 4mm domes versus 5 mm in case I decide to go with bigger valves later. BTW, I didn't go with bigger valves as the rpm range I want to operate at on the street really doesn't justify the time / effort and expense. Stock setup will flow plenty of air beyond what it is normally called on to do.

I didn't put hotter cams in for now although I may later but I did use earlier cams versus the mild FI cams. I was just trying to build a very reliable but strong street car and I wanted smooth idle and not to have to mess with exotic cam timing.

I have the 123 ignition with several advance curves available so I still need to do some carb / timing / advance tuning to dial it all in to perfection. But right now it starts with a bump of the key and runs well so no rush on that.

[TStark]

Outstanding.

Just wanted to remark that my new (two years ago) gear reduction starter also interfered for a bit, causing a hideous noise. When i saw where it was scuffing, gave its Bendix a roll on the bench grinder, took an 1/8" off .

Maybe not give up on the flywheel, as i've since suspect some GR starters are dimensionally compromised.

[phaetn]

I love the look of the car, especially the engine bay. Congrats on all your work!

A couple of quick questions for you: I have the same curb. Is that fuel pressure gauge also a regulator? Do you find it useful?

Secondly, I love your wheels! If you don't mind my asking, where did you get them? Any issues with fit? I have a lowered '74 small bumper so I have to be careful with space, but I'm thinking about 15 inch wheels with 205/50 tires. I really like the open spokes on yours.

Thanks and cheers,
phaetn

[zachmac]

I love the look of the car, especially the engine bay. Congrats on all your work!

A couple of quick questions for you: I have the same curb. Is that fuel pressure gauge also a regulator? Do you find it useful?

Secondly, I love your wheels! If you don't mind my asking, where did you get them? Any issues with fit? I have a lowered '74 small bumper so I have to be careful with space, but I'm thinking about 15 inch wheels with 205/50 tires. I really like the open spokes on yours.
Thanks and cheers,
phaetn

Thanks for the compliments. Fuel pressure gauge is gauge only; the pressure regulator is in the trunk just past the outlet of the pump. I mounted the pressure gauge close to the carb in the engine bay so I knew what the pressure delivered to the carb after any line losses was. I wanted to make sure I had adequate delivery while also not so high to overcome the float and flood the bowl. Once set however it is really just ornamental. On the other hand any drop off due to a clogged filter or other issue would be indicated.

Wheels are Team Dynamics. I bought them from AR. However, neither AR or VAS sites currently shows them in silver (VAS has dark ones showing). I know several purists don't like them because they think they are "too modern" but that is exactly why I do like them, they "update" the car's looks IMHO. I get lots of compliments on them and they have the right offset. No issues with clearance at all and I'm on progressive springs.