After many hours of work yesterday and a lot of nervousness, the car actually started. I’d like to give a huge thanks to Mark, Jake, Rob, Allen, and Adam. Everyone helped out in some way (no matter how big or small!).

I have pictures uploaded to my Flickr account: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dingodingo/

More to come!

Last night, Rob and I went out to the shop for an hour and a half on a whim. In that time we put on the last couple of parts I was waiting for (Drain cock assembly, oil pressure switch, oil pan banjo bolt), as well as the transmission.

Using the engine hoist to hold the entire assembly, with the motor propped slightly backwards on a board, proved easy to align the transmission and get the bolts threaded. At this point the motor is ready to go in the car! The engine should be sitting in the car in the next couple of days. After that, I can start connecting the hoses and the rest of the wiring harness connectors.

So far I think this is the worst part. I have a few things running through my mind: Will it start? Will it break? Did I forget something major? At this point, each new item I attach on the engine or transmission is just one more step to that critical moment: Turning the engine over for the first time….

Yesterday I purchased camshaft seals, oil pressure switch, spark plugs, and two cheap oil filters. The seals and switch were overnight delivery (via Advance Auto). The cheap oil filters are for the break in process.

Last nights installation included:

• Spark plugs
• Transmission side oil galley plug
• Flywheel
• Clutch + pressure plate
• Painting the oil pan and touching up the block

Tonight’s install will be:

1. Cam seals
2. Cam seal cover caps
3. Cam gears
4. Setting TDC for both cams and distributor
5. Cam covers
6. Crankshaft timing gear
7. Main crankshaft pulley + crank key
8. Timing belt
9. Timing belt tensioner
10. Maybe transmission…
11. Maybe install it in the car!?

I’m scared.

Last night the intake manifold was bolted on. Thanks to Allen, it looks amazing! He put it through the washer for almost a week said, cleaning out carbon and gunk. He also glass beaded the outside surfaces, effectively making it look brand new. I also got the additional water routing pieces bolted down, including the second coolant pipe that runs along the intake side. Hopefully i’ll have pictures to follow soon.

Last Friday night (5/9/08) we assembled the rotating assembly in the block. Oil tolerances were within spec to slightly loose. The smallport head is done, and it was bolted down last night. The next items up for bid are:

• Install wear sleeve on rear main lobe
• Install rear main housing + seal
• Clean oil pan baffle, sump pickup, and pan
• Install baffle, pickup, pan
• Paint oil pan and touch up paint on block
• Measure shims
• Set valve lash
• Attach additional head components (water routing, sensors, etc.)

The large port head from my existing bluetop block had some issues. After talking over and considering the problems on that head with Allen (machinist friend), I’ve decided to buy his small port head and intake. It was my eventual goal to buy a small port head (Phase 2 of the overall project), however it’s just worked out well I can do both phases of my project at the same time.

At this point I have all of the parts to begin assembling the bottom end. However there’s a polished, stock crank I may be able to get at another shop, so we’re waiting to see if that pans out.

More to come!

Yesterday I dropped off the rods, new pin bushings, new rod bolts+nuts, and new bearings to my machinist friend. He said he should be able to work on them today. The work to be done is:

1. Weight match all rods
2. Install new pin bushings
3. Check specs on main bearings
4. Bore main rod connector if needed
5. Install rod bearings
6. Demagnetize one rod bearing cap
7. Check rod bolts stretch point for proper torque

Once all of this has been done, next it’s time to assemble the block. With his help on checking clearances and assembly, I can take the project from there and finish the rest myself. I pretty much have most of my parts and accessories cleaned. There is still a small bit of disassembly needed on the block that was originally in the car. However, I figure at that point i’ll be swapping things on a 1-to-1 basis from the old block to the new block.

I did decide on the Duplicolor High Heat Aluminum. After spraying the transmission and block with this color, all I have to say is WOW. It looks wonderful! I have painted the motor mounts and other accessories on the transmission a high heat black. The two colors together look really nice.

I have probably 98% of my engine bay painted gloss black. The color and shine really look good. I can’t wait to paint the whole exterior of the car with this gloss black. My next plan is to jack the car backup, crawl under the bay, and start spraying from the bottom up to get as much red as possible. I’m sure there are some spots under mounting brackets I haven’t hit, as well as the bottom framing of the unibody.

The last part I need to get to build the internals of my motor are still the rods. I had a hook up on rods locally, but so far the guy hasn’t responded to my email. I need those rods!