Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
Got some parts today, I'll post some pictures as we get them out. washed the block today and got setup for honing, measuring clearances for piston pins in the rods and pistons. Also mesured lifters and bores. Got some pictures today at least (I'll try to be better about that). Back at it tomorrow!
https://i.imgur.com/fH1hDa0h.jpg https://i.imgur.com/nNNCaYih.jpg https://i.imgur.com/33g3lXqh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/VqcTtqgh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/covBwkLh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/FKaetUZh.jpg |
Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
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Block is honed, that is a full days job. fought with spirolox and more measuring. Little head work too. Back at it tomorrow.
https://i.imgur.com/IaKcjVVh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Fq0TfrFh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/XGL8QIph.jpg |
Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
You may not see me....
https://i.imgur.com/DkUYZQJh.jpg |
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^^^ And Miss Autumn says, Oh Dad...........
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Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
Autumn and my son in law took the car to a friend today so we could get a little help replacing the rear firewall since the one I built was slightly less than ideal haha.
https://i.imgur.com/hyuIBbHh.jpg |
Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
Did some lifter things, wash tank things and more measuring things. Back at it tomorrow.
https://i.imgur.com/uFzMOfHh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/vX7pnjqh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/FkDgBMRh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/zAduOxph.jpg https://i.imgur.com/zDwMFB3h.jpg |
Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
We ran out this morning to peek at the new firewall and it's coming along nicely. made a little headway today checking stuff, cleaning parts and decking the block. Just ordered parts we need for this week, I feel some next day shipments are on the horizon.
https://i.imgur.com/WXq9Nz9h.jpg https://i.imgur.com/nEVxeoVh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/sv67QBRh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/AFKV5nph.jpg |
Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
Had an abbreviated day today but still managed to get the block washed and all the rings filed. Cam came in today and lots of parts showing up tomorrow.
https://i.imgur.com/2Ddmwr7h.jpg https://i.imgur.com/oJidWdsh.jpg |
Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
Not sure why bearing issues seem to follow me around but I've bounced back and fourth between Clevite and King bearings and let me tell you the King's are far superior. Every King set measures dead on and the Clevites seem to not be consistent with their coatings. Didn't get the results I was looking for so I next dayed a set of King's for tomorrow, hopefully that takes care of that. We did manage to salvage some time and get the rods on the pistons, get the rings on, freeze plugs in, as many cam bearings in as we could still on the stand, installed the dowels and cleaned up the rear cap for the oil pump. Autumn helped out on some big boy stuff today too. Fingers crossed for the bearings tomorrow and we'll start final assembly.
https://i.imgur.com/6TBddAuh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/ZNgRbASh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/M7nMbr5h.jpg https://i.imgur.com/rO83ptSh.jpg |
Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
It does seem like these updates are getting later and later doesn't it? Ahhh bearings you can count on (still not impressed with Dart's machining). Seems like all we do is measure stuff and wash stuff, but every once in a while we actually torque stuff for a final time, and we got to do just a little of that today. Started by getting it off the stand onto a cart to finish the last two cam bearings and freeze plugs, then off to the washer for the final time. then finally had some bearing luck. Pulled the oil pump apart to clean it and off we went finally getting into final assembly. Stay tuned, more tomorrow.
https://i.imgur.com/TK0ftYFh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/A8cMy4fh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/ozF2a47h.jpg https://i.imgur.com/1lGIq1vh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/CxjZKdkh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/uNzcIcPh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/SmIjRnsh.jpg |
Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
What an education for this young racer.
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Sheesh!!! I do not envy engine builders, it most certainly is a love for their craft because the manufacturers shaft them daily. Why none of these parts fit together is beyond me, I mean these people have to grind, fit, re-fit, mill, cut and drill every part. The timing chain gears didn't line up properly so between three sets I made one work but of course that burns up hours we don't have. Not to mention standing on the oil pan to get it to fit and having to fight the gasket that wouldn't fit in the improperly machined timing cover. oh well there's always tomorrow. (Oil pan is on just no picture).
https://i.imgur.com/NLI0u3Yh.jpg |
Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
Not all bad today, got the heads all done with only 1 snafu, pulled one screw in stud threads, fixed but hope it doesn't leak water. Intake won't fit again, addressing that tomorrow. Can't put thoughts together with no sleep so here are some pictures.
https://i.imgur.com/156a0gNh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/woxVAtth.jpg https://i.imgur.com/DetTElTh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Kiy0tyth.jpg https://i.imgur.com/8hxEjb6h.jpg |
Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
The main problem with being an engine builder is that the nature of that work is very time consuming in order to make stuff fit right as you go along. It's labor intensive, and the main problem is that if you kept track of all the time it took to properly do an engine and charged an adequate hourly rate, it would price most persons right out of a job. You can't charge what this work is really worth. A set of cylinder heads can be as labor intensive as a whole short block, then there's the valve train angularity and push rod lengths and all that to sort out once the heads are on. Then,the intake, and it's always different for every engine you build. This stuff leads to instant insanity. The slow insanity comes later.
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Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
Well as usual we spent way too much time fitting the manifold but finally got it. Lash set on break in rockers, pre lubed, plugs and headers. Didn't take many pictures today but it's on the dyno cart.
https://i.imgur.com/qpc2AbWh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/3XilAMth.jpg https://i.imgur.com/YX3Dux6h.jpg |
Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
Looking forward to the next step. Thanks for keeping us involved.
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Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
Went in and worked on the motorhome for a couple hours this morning then went down to work on the engine. Had some little things to wrap up, swapped distributor gears, timing pointer didn't fit so had to chop it down, fixed some little stuff and loaded it on the dyno. Got it fired up, no leaks, checked the timing and started breaking in the cam. Stopped after 5 minutes to cut the filter open to check and found some water in the oil, found a pair of rocker studs leaking water (my fault), did a quick fix then pulled the distributor and flushed some oil through with the primer. We've always had some issues with the headers on the passenger side being cooler by a fair amount, the worst being #8 sometimes over 100 degrees cooler than the hottest on the left bank and this time it was the same and all the right side plugs looked terrible so I decided at this time to swap carbs with a spare I bought here. Fired up to finish breaking in the cam and it was instantly noticeable it was running better, headers are all very close in temp now and the plugs looks good too. Finished breaking in the cam then when we removed the rockers to swap on the 1.5s we pulled all the studs and resealed them as a precaution. Installed the 1.5 rockers and left it for the night so the sealer sets up, we'll leak it down in the morning, change oil and start making power pulls.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yT3M...ature=youtu.be |
Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
Todd and Autumn,
Glad you have got it back on the dyno! :D Noticed the O2 sensors and wanted to pass on that when they are that close to the open atmosphere, they will give false numbers. Not a huge thing, but might cause you some grief later on. About 18" is a good distance.;) Hope you guys get rewarded with some good numbers and an engine that will live as well.:cool: Regards, HB2:) Dissident |
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My phone was dead today so didn't get much for pics, I'll do better tomorrow. Still have a small water leak but I'll figure that out tomorrow. Brought it home so we'll be working near the car finally. Also took a couple pics of the rear firewall, first time I've seen it since the kids picked it up and brought it home.
https://i.imgur.com/r9xtgObh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/g2OrxnQh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/cJ7tR6oh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/QDrtQb2h.jpg |
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Will we see you at bowling green ?
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Todd and Autumn ………….. Congratulations on the Fire-Up of your engine!
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Could you call her by her correct name,....Autumn.....Amber is the color of the bulb on the Tree..... |
Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
AWESOME !!!!!
So glad to see it running and not another issue. May your hard work pay off in win lights !!!! Gary |
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good lookin'. Congratulations to you both! Bob |
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Todd and Autumn,
I would like to congratulate you both on all of your hard work. Also for getting the motor fired and home... Hopefully in the car. Sounds like you found a carb issue as well. Good luck to you both. Keith and Terri |
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