Starting my engine build

[toolboxchev]

Born Again, and looking quite well I may add.

[Mrturner1]

Originally Posted by toolboxchev

Born Again, and looking quite well I may add.

Hey thanks man! I like it too. I've been doing some wire brushing and degreasing in the motor well. This part may take some time, I wouldn't want to stick this motor in there without it being just as nice

[Mrturner1]

Is it safe to pressure wash in the motor well?

[Mrturner1]

Hard to believe it used to look like this

[Mrturner1]

I'm also wondering about new energy suspension body mounts. I was under the truck today and they all look like squished cracked donuts, bulging out the sides from being so old. Definitely going with energy suspension motor and transmission mounts, and possibly replacing bushings on the major parts of the suspension.

I know I'm adding a lot of work but the more I look at the engine and compare to the motor well and wiring, the more I wanna do this right and be thorough

[swamp rat]

A little advice? Concentrate your energy on getting that engine back in and running first or it will go on forever.

[Mrturner1]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

A little advice? Concentrate your energy on getting that engine back in and running first or it will go on forever.

I agree totally, I was just thinking that if there are things to do while the motor is out that would become a real PIA when it's back in, get those while the gettin is good

[Mrturner1]

Anybody pressure wash without issues? All the grease and built up oil would be much easier with a pressure washer

[Mrturner1]

Originally Posted by toolboxchev

Born Again, and looking quite well I may add.

Thank you I'm pretty excited about it

[BrianG]

I see no reason why you couldn't power was the engine compartment. You have the Tranny out right? if not, just try not to get water in there, plus watch around your electrical connections. degrease it well, and spay away!

[Mrturner1]

Well it took 2 hours to build all the MSD wires but I think the nicer look is worth the time. Waiting on de-greaser to soak in and then pressure washing.

[Mrturner1]

Pic

[Mrturner1]

Do you guys shave this extra RTV off or just leave it?

[GASoline71]

If you have headers... those wires will not work. You will need 90 degree boots to clear headers.

But they look killer though!

I have always built my plug wires while the engine is in the rig. Lots of stuff that will or could be in the way while figuring out the best route of plug wires.

Gary

[swamp rat]

I would leave the RTV on the intake, up to you i guess.

I agree with Gary on the 90 degree boots so guess you could bolt the headers up temporarily and see how they will work.

[Mrturner1]

Well there goes 100 bucks and 2 hours

[Ironangel]

Originally Posted by Mrturner1

Well there goes 100 bucks and 2 hours

Not necessarily... http://www.jegs.com/i/MSD-Ignition/1...rentProductId=

[Captainfab]

Wait until you get the headers bolted up and see if maybe some of the straight plug boots will work. Then just change the ones that definitely need a 90.

[Mrturner1]

I have some appointments at the VA today but hoping to get the motor well wrapped up by tonight. I pressure washed yesterday evening and was amazed at just how much crud came out and off the truck. After a little masking it'll be ready for some paint.

New motor mounts and a transmission mount will be here today. It looks like I could be firing this thing up pretty soon. For the first startup I'll have some zddp break-in oil, and I need to get a tachometer so I can manage the RPM's during cam break-in.

Technically I could start the truck after I get the new motor mounts and drop the motor in, and I suppose that's the shortest route to a start up. Without getting to absorbed into other projects just yet, I think it'd be wise to go ahead and get a stall converter now and be done with it. There's been a lot of controversy over what stall to run and who makes a good converter, and I can't say that I know what to go with yet, but I'd like to get one now so I can drive it after break-in and not fight the brakes and all that fun stuff.

[Mrturner1]

Pic

[Grumpy old man]

I'm wondering now if you see why many of us suggested pulling the engine from the start ? You end up with a much better result for your effort and money and it looks better than if you paid someone to just drop parts in .How many small things did you find that really needed to be addressed ? It looks great and you should be proud of the work you've done ! And I don't give away compliments often ! That's why they call me Grumpy old man .

Now get it dialed in and running so you can move onto the suspension and brakes to make it safe to unleash those new found horses .

Did you get the right trans mount yet ?

[Davidf]

Originally Posted by Mrturner1

I pressure washed yesterday evening and was amazed at just how much crud came out and off the truck. After a little masking it'll be ready for some paint.

A little time saving trick when you start masking: For hoses, lines and those little things you want to keep paint off of, pull out the aluminum foil and wrap the small stuff with it. Much easier than paper and/or tape. And, easy to remove as well.

[Mrturner1]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

I'm wondering now if you see why many of us suggested pulling the engine from the start ? You end up with a much better result for your effort and money and it looks better than if you paid someone to just drop parts in .How many small things did you find that really needed to be addressed ? It looks great and you should be proud of the work you've done ! And I don't give away compliments often ! That's why they call me Grumpy old man .

Now get it dialed in and running so you can move onto the suspension and brakes to make it safe to unleash those new found horses .

Did you get the right trans mount yet ?

Well that made my day, thank you very much that means a lot coming from a long time builder such as yourself I am actually pretty proud of this thing. And had I not pulled the engine it wouldn't be anywhere NEAR as nice as it is now. And the engine bay would be a greasy nasty faded mess with a mediocre looking motor in it, and I would be into it for 3600$ bucks by now not including all the transmission stuff I need. I'm still under 1500$ bucks and that includes some new tools and paint Doing it this way saved me a lot of money and helped me learn the things I need to know about my own truck. Before this I honestly couldn't have told you which cylinder was which, and I certainly wouldn't attempt to tune the truck (or know which way to tune it for what)

Prothane mounts should be here today for motor and trans, and I got a oem crossmember too

[Mrturner1]

I apologize for the redundancy here guys but I want to clarify because I'm buying parts. The truck has a th400, so do I need to change the transmission crossmember to one like the peice in the picture? And when I get a trans mount, will the parts work for a th400 when the drop down bars on the online catalogs don't specifically say TH400, they only ask the engine size for application

[Mrturner1]

Parts