Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

We definitely need more pics of the ongoing build.

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

I like the attention to the true definition of "Blueprinted and balanced."
Bravo Mr. Larry and good luck with Dumbo the Flying Elephant!

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

Test fitting today of pickup and oil pan. One of the pickups is missing the screen. Thank goodness I still have some of Patsy's stainless steel strainer to cover the end of the pickup. Maybe I will get some pistons assigned and rings gapped. That should use up most of the day.

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

P W clearance has to be adjusted. We will be at Jeff Taylor's shop Thursday A.M. to put two thirds the thickness of a hair more clearance in the engine. I will pick up some Nord's Bakery gems to nibble on during the process. I like the idea of using a profilometer to ensure surface finish.

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

267.3 miles one way to Jeff's place with two bridge tolls to cross the river. I did see and started to count Dollar stores but I lost count. Conway Witten is working with Jeff and it was good to see him and get caught up. I did get to view some pretty cool stuff. Boss 429 under construction and an aluminium block Hemi in process.

The coolest thing was a LS1 street rod engine on the dyno and it made almost race car power on pump gas. Man they sure do sound good on the pull.

It was a good day, long but good.

I would show you pictures but the sign on the door said no cameras or video.

I took some picture before I saw the sign so..............

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

If you do go to Jeff's shop stop by Nord's Bakery and pickup some maple frosted long johns with a strip of bacon on top. It won't get you any discount but a happy machinists is a good machinists.

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

Seems as though Nords bakery may be guilty of adding BALLAST to the flying elephant....

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

MJ it helps me keep my elephant ***** in shape.

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

I got to use a Total Seal Ring Filer to set end gap on my rings. What a quality piece of equipment. I practiced on an old ring to get the feel of increasing as little as .0005'', I think, end gap. It has a deburring wheel for the ends of the ring, for me that will take a little practice. I prefer using a Dremel tool with an rubber abrasive wheel to deburr. Ends of the ring were 90* and parallel, all I had to do was follow directions.

I have tried the Pro Form filer and it is just a classic example of junk off the "Boat" that does not repeat.

It's time for the blocks final bath before assembly, yes!

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

I was just looking at that ring filer last week, I use a friends ABS filer and it's $1200. The Total Seal is like $700, looks real nice.

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

Our wiring guy--Mr. Bob Toy!

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

I have to make a guide to help install cam bearings tomorrow. About the only tooling I could use from the B, RB engines is the engine stand the mikes, and my data recorder ( pencil and paper).

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

Larry, would you mind sharing which block you are using? If you have the part number that would be most appreciated.
Thank you!

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

It's the one that has unfinished bores and mains, it's not very strong. Part # P5153898

The new ones are from DSR

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

Today was a first. We installed the cam bearings installed the camshaft, are you ready for this, it turned. No gnashing of teeth,or anything but a smile. It was a very good day.

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

Thank you!

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

All new parts engines need to have a bolt kit. Finding all the correct size, length, grade, and type has been a real treasure hunt. Dowels and O rings can be elusive. You can't afford to buy each bolt from the dealer. A valve cover bolt is $5.00 X 10 bolts per cover X 2 covers = $ 100. Solution for me is going to the local salvage yard and harvesting a lot of used parts. Billy will be so proud of me.

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

Today has been a bad day, I feel like I was a tackling dummy.

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

A bit pricey but ARP makes accessory bolt kits. ARP 540-9801

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

If you need a small piece of shim stock to shim something and you live in the middle of nowhere or all the stores are closed. Open a few can goods and use the tops. I found them to .005'' to .012'' thick. This weekend it was Charlie The Tuna to the rescue, .007'' was perfect

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

Another bad day in the trenches. Me and my old man wisdom wasted most of the day. All I had to do was degree the cam. What a comedy of errors, its going to be a difficult time facing myself in the mirror when I shave in the morning. Billy would not be proud.

After rubbing my head and patting my tummy I got'er done. Or did pat my head and rub my tummy? Who Knows

Got to go supper is ready. Saved by the dinner bell!

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

The bad days make the good ones that much sweeter!

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

Assuming , you know what that does, we have good piston to valve clearance. I will check piston to valve clearance at all of the planned cam centerline pulls. It will be fun to see where power and torque moves withe the changes. I should be able install the rest of the pistons and rods tomorrow

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

It is tough getting it all to fit.

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

I agree Dyno. I have to pickup my new ring compressor for a 4.125 bore, drain valves to fit the block, and one more time to the bone yard for factory bolts. Plus a new windshield the old one is in a few pieces.

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

Here you go Larry! Excited to see you get this car to the track.

https://racetoolsdirect.com/product/...g-compressors/

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

Building a 400 SBC I see.

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

Aaron thanks for the link but I bought the AARP brand, they give a sizable senior discount. For those of us on a fixed income every penny counts. Ask your Dad he will tell you about it.

Jeff the stroke is different it's a 392, it's much smaller than the SBC

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

Wow, I get the AARP magazine, but I've never seen ring compressors there. :D

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

My pistons are going in tomorrow. Heads are together. Fit the oil pan and windage tray yesterday. Getting closer

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

Given the average age of class racers these days a race parts catalog may be something AARP needs to look in to!

Thanks for the updates Larry I have enjoyed following your build.

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

Was putting the pistons in to get my short block finished and wouldn't you know it, a storm with gale force winds knocks out the power. So after my neighbor and I clear a small tree out of the road, it's off to get diesel and water in the motor home. 90 min. later it's ready for Patsy and our two granddaughters. Just like the races but only in our driveway.

The best plans of men and mice...

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

I have had 2 of those storms here one Thursday morning lasted 1 1/2 hours and then another one last night. I've got 8 trees down blocking driveway and paths around my property. The thunder and lightning was spectacular. I only had a 10 minute power outage. I love the South.

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

Our storm Thursday night only lasted 40 minutes and we still have people in the Little Rock area without power.

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

By using the motor home this weekend we discovered the outside cooler died. Not cool

Hope to have short block done today.

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

Short block is assembled. Patsy will post pictures later. The deck has a slight slope to it. We will try to fix it when block needs to be resurfaced. Having the block like this is is costing me a little bit of compression, but being a Hemi newbe I will take it. I tighten the rod bolts to a stretch of .005 - .0054. I hope the picture of the NHRA pistons is clear.

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

Camshaft and lifter bushing. Up close and personal

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

In the morning that head will be done!! That is assuming that we have proper piston to valve clearance at split overlap.

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

Great pictures.
Thanks for keeping us up to date.
Pete

Re: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
 

McMaster-Carr may have .007" shims. I have gotten .004" - 006" shims with various diameters from them in the past.