And so it begines.....engine build

[Avalanche325]

My short block components have arrived!!!

It is a 347, Scat crank and rods, custom Wiseco pistons, custom cam ground by Comp Cams, link bar roller lifters, and a Gordon Levy pan. Machine work is by Fordstrokers.com.

Heads (still on the way) are Trick Flow 185 CNC with Pac Racing springs.

I did an unpack and oil wipe down of bare steel surfaces. I live at the beach and things literally rust in an hour.

I will start with double checking all machining, measure measure measure, and then cleaning all of the parts.

Everything looks really good. The packaging was actually very impressive. Block in a bag, shrink wrapped, boxed, strapped to a pallet, shrink wrapped again.

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t474/Avalanche325/IMG_0335_zpsfef175a8.jpg (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Avalanche325/media/IMG_0335_zpsfef175a8.jpg.html)

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t474/Avalanche325/IMG_0336_zps191ceca8.jpg (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Avalanche325/media/IMG_0336_zps191ceca8.jpg.html)

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t474/Avalanche325/IMG_0347_zpsd7581d21.jpg (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Avalanche325/media/IMG_0347_zpsd7581d21.jpg.html)

[edwardb]

Congratulations! Jim at Fordstrokers did the 347 for my Mk4 build. I did the short block with cam and Moroso pan. I'm close enough to drive, so picked it up in person end of May. I had him do the assembly of the short block, but I'll do the rest. It's a small shop, but well equipped and very busy, with a great reputation. Pictures of mine and subsequent assembly in the build thread http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/299597-mk4-7750-build-progress-update.html, if you haven't seen it. I'm very happy with mine. I think you will be too.

[Avalanche325]

edwardb
Nice looking build you have going.

[SCFFR]

Very nice!!
Fuel injection or carb?

Ron

[MPTech]

347, that should be FUN!
Always nice to start with good, new, clean parts.

Keep us posted.
What are your plans for it? What's your anticipated HP?

[Avalanche325]

It is going to have a carb. Quickfuel Q-series 750 mechanical secondaries.
Edelbrock Victor Jr.
Pertronix Flamethrower III dist (it has full range multi spark and a rev limiter all under the cap)
4 into 4s
I am putting a TKO-600 behind it and have the FFR Moser 3-link with 3.31 gears.

Jim at Fordstrokers said that it will be at least 485hp.

It is going to be mostly street with some autocross thrown in.

I spent a couple hours today gathering up some supplies like gasket sealer, and a clamp-on vise for my "clean room" bench. I made soft jaws for it for a rod vise. Got a plastic wash tub to wash the crank, etc. I am going to see if I can take a couple days off and make it a 4 day weekend.

[Avalanche325]

Today's progress.

Measured everything possible. Everything was right down the middle of the specs.
Cleaned, cleaned, cleaned, the cam and crank.

The cam in installed. Crank installed and thrust is set. Rear main seal installed. Timing chain and fuel pump ecentric is installed. I checked the piston weights. They are all within 1g. I am going to play with my other scale that goes to 1/10th g tomorrow.

Tomorrow I am planning on setting the ring gaps, checking rod balance, and hanging the pistons.

[Avalanche325]

I spend a lot of time in the garage this weekend.

The rotating assembly is together. Front cover and balancer are on.

I spent a lot of time filing and deburring rings. I am triple checking everything. So far everything is going together without any issues. I am planning on putting the oil pump and pan on tomorrow. I am still waiting on the heads to be delivered, so no rush.

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t474/Avalanche325/IMG_0378_zps56324b30.jpg (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Avalanche325/media/IMG_0378_zps56324b30.jpg.html)

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t474/Avalanche325/IMG_0376_zpsb9fe4be9.jpg (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Avalanche325/media/IMG_0376_zpsb9fe4be9.jpg.html)

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t474/Avalanche325/IMG_0386_zps1cb8e554.jpg (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Avalanche325/media/IMG_0386_zps1cb8e554.jpg.html)

[bil1024]

Nive work!

[skullandbones]

Is this engine combo a common one. I was curious as to how you figured the clearance on your Wiseco pistons. Did they custom machine the tops for the big valves and cam? BTW, it looks like you are doing an excellent job (measure twice, cut once rule). In your case, measure thrice! Enjoy following your build. Thanks, WEK.

[Mark Reynolds]

Wait, what... you can make a V8 engine work with only one camshaft? Cool! :)

[Avalanche325]

Is this engine combo a common one. I was curious as to how you figured the clearance on your Wiseco pistons. Did they custom machine the tops for the big valves and cam? BTW, it looks like you are doing an excellent job (measure twice, cut once rule). In your case, measure thrice! Enjoy following your build. Thanks, WEK.

The pistons are custom for FordStrokers. Yes the tops are specifically for TrickFlow Twisted Wedge heads. So for these guys a very common combination.


Wait, what... you can make a V8 engine work with only one camshaft? Cool! :)

I might be able to squeeze another one in. Where did I put that hole saw?

The heads are shipping out tomorrow. So, if I am lucky I can get them for the weekend.

I checked the oil pump out, chamferred the somewhat ugly outlet. Checked clearances and put Lock-tite on the bolts on the pump cover. I KNEW I was going to forget something, oil pump bolts! They are on the way, ARP bolts from Summit. I clayed the oil pan pickup which needed two washers under the mount on the tube to get it at 3/8". I also checked the welds on the pickup for spatter. There were none at all, very clean. I heard of an oil pump getting, luckily, locked up during priming from a weld spatter "BB" coming off and wedging into the pump. When cleaning the pan out, fuzz and a couple little paper scraps from packing, AND A WASHER fell out when I turned it upside down and gave it a good shake. Of course, it wouldn't get past the strainer, but it sure gave me the creeps thinking of that whizzing around in the crankcase. I took the windage tray out and cleaned, checked the baffle flaps, and put the tray back in with Lock-Tite of course.

The ARP accessory bolt set is comming up short (litterally) in the water pump area. Apparantly this is a common problem because the the many Ford SB front configurations. Most of the bolts (7 to be exact) are too short. I have heard that a call to ARP will get this sorted. I need to play with the pulleys and brackets to get final measurments then give them a call.

I am a little short on pictures, as my computer got taken down for a day with a virus. My screen came up with the "US Courts" have locked me for "illegal mp3s, videos, or child porn". There were instructions on how to send a money order for $300 to unlock it. Nice try!!!! Don't these guys in Nigeria know I have an engine to build?

[stevem]

Saving money over a crate? Or just want to do it yourself.