1964 "C" engine case assembled

After waiting what seemed like an eternity to get my "C" crankshaft back from the machine shop, I finally have had a chance to get the bottom half of my engine assembled. The "C" crank returned from being cut to 1st undersize on both the main and rod bearing journals, something I hadn't counted on being required when I bought the engine, but I'm glad I disassembled the whole thing and inspected it just the same. The "soft plugs" in the crank were also removed, and all the internal oil passages were cleaned and flushed before replacing them. The machine work is beautiful but it was pretty pricey -- total cost to grind and re-harden (nitride) the crank, as well as resize and re-bush the connecting rods, and resurface the cam lifters/followers, came to $550. The work appears to be first rate, and it is cheaper than buying a new reproduction crank, which would cost nearly $1000. The accompanying picture shows the crank with the rods reassembled on it. The small specs you see on the journals are from dust left behind by "lint free" Kimwipes, so it is nothing to be concerned about. As you can deduce from above, I got the shortblock assembled. My rods fit beautifully on the "new" crank with 1st undersize rod bearings, and after having done the '59 engine with all those dowels to hold the main bearings, using the split shells with the retaining tabs on the "C" engine was a piece of cake. I cleaned up the case halves very well, inserted the bearing shells, and gooked everything up with moly lube and "secret sauce" (Harry Pellow's way of describing a 50-50 mixture of STP Oil Treatment and motor oil). Once again Chuck let me borrow his priceless huge tube of Loctite 574, and I coated the right side case half with the flange sealant. With the crank, cam followers, and reground camshaft (a "torquey" 266 degree street grind somewhere near performed by Tim Berardelli Racing in Alexandria, VA) in place, the case halves mated without any trouble. Having some experience from the '59 motor was a plus. Everything has gone much more quickly and smoothly to this point. I torqued the case together without incident, and now the motor sits awaiting further assembly. I haven't had a chance to source a new set of pistons and cylinders yet, I plan on doing that this weekend. I am also convinced that for the amount of money I have invested in the project, a full flow oil filter adapter for the oil pump cover is a very good idea. I mean, machining costs on the "C" engine alone are about $1300! I will be ordering a cover from Ron LaDow, who runs Precision Matters.

I need to call Don Mills this weekend and see if he is finished with the '40 Ford and is ready to start helping me finish the bodywork on my own car...he has promised me he is nearly done. Somehow I have my doubts. That said, I optimistically registered for the 2005 356 East Coast Holiday, to be held near South Boston, VA. It is a fairly short drive and I do plan on doing everything in my power to drive the coupe there under its own power.

Posted by pbrown at March 12, 2005 08:41 PM