Project Stupid Move - A rebuild for the Boy

[Low Elco]

Well, how's Knuckles coming along?

[jlsanborn]

We built the bottom end last night (technically it was this morning). Lots of photos and a few more lessons learned. I'll update as soon as I find the camera cable!

[jlsanborn]

So, Wrinkle's motor has been a slow road... Saved his sheckles and bought a balanced rotating assembly through Jegs or Summit, made by Eagle. It took about a week for that to arrive and it showed as the wrong bore. It was marked .060" on the box but inside were 0.030" pistons and rings. They were also full-float con rods. Because it was a "kit" that's put together by the manufacturer you have to send the whole enchilada back for exchange. A week later the new stuff shows. Right bore this time but the con rods are press fit (pre-hung however). I then got to looking closer and find that the pistons have a reduced compression distance. These are 1.548" vs. the stock 1.560" (-0.012") that we were expecting. These are Speed-Pro hypereutectic jobbers and some listings state they're 1.560" while others say 1.548". I read somewhere that their cast pistons are -.020" and the hypereutectic's are -.012", which I believe. They do this to keep compression down after having the decks resurfaced. Junior got on the phone with Eagle and they told him there's no guarantee as to what pistons you'll find in your box. It's based on whatever is available to them at the time. They even used the term "mystery pistons". At this point he's thinking about sending it all back and piece-mealing it all but that's a bit more $$$. He also had his block "decked" and if you figger that in with a rubber coated steel head gasket (.015") it'd all be pretty close, so let's build it! Everything in the kit is pretty nice and checked out spot-on. Every ring gap was a little under 0.020", Plasti-gauged every journal and they were all 0.002". End play was 0.003". As we buttoned up each corner we measured deck height and found that they really just cleaned up the decks. It's not super square and I'd say they only scrubbed a few thou off. His last motor came back -0.015" and that's what we expected with this one I guess. We wound up about 0.035" in the hole, so with that shim gasket we'll be about 0.050" squish, 0.010" more than we'd like. CR should be about 10:1 assuming the 5cc valve relief volume as advertised. I'm going to get some stuff to cc those before the heads go on to see what they really are. He still has to pick a cam and get that and we'll do a cam timing episode. Stay tuned!

I would highly recommend these Eagle kits as they are economical and high quality. It's just too bad you can't get full compression pistons for sure.

He was up till 6:00am this morning assembling his pal's 383 from another Eagle kit. This one came with two valve relief, full compression pistons as advertised. They mocked it up yesterday, clearanced the block for the stroker then brought it back to the machine shop for cleaning, cam bearings and plugs. This one will see Vortec heads and should also land right at 10:1 (dished pistons).

First pic is one of the lessons learned... Watch them digits when you're rolling the crank over

[jlsanborn]

Few more photos...

[jlsanborn]

And a few more. Lumpy Rutherford is the 383 kid - Logan. He's got a square body 4x4. Gonna be a roller cammed, 10:1, Vortec headed BRUTE.

[Bomp]

Some Monster power to be made outta them motors. Everythings lookin spot on.
Sooo whats with that lonly pickup in the back ground?

[jlsanborn]

Good eye man! I'm as anxious as you are. Been mad busy with firewood and all that winter season prep shat. Mashed my bad-azz chainsaw last trip up tryin to learn Junior on how to lay down big boys. FAIL... Hot-saw rebuild coming up. Half-azzed kitchen remodel for Wifey ($$$), fixin' crap for everyone I know just about and just plain workin. It's coming tho.. Just spotted the new build on your sig and gave it a quick run down. I'll chime in for sure - Sweet find!

Lumpy and Boy got the 383 buttoned up on the bottom, waiting on his cam (back ordered). Boy still ain't ordered his cam.

[Low Elco]

Looks like a good time! Good job on checking everything and teaching 'em right!

[jlsanborn]

Thanks Chip! All I keep sayin' is "try to find a problem"

[Low Elco]

Hey Johnny! What's up with Knuckles and his Punching Bag?

[jlsanborn]

My bad for not keeping this thread up.

Fired it up last week and it sounds and runs great! I hope he uses his head. He bought a Napa premium, 11" clutch on the last go around it started slipping there towards the end. Figgered he got oil on it. He bought a new disk, flywheel and pressure plate looked good but it's already roached. China's finest there. Now he's saving for a McLeod. They just fired his buddy's 383 last night so hopefully that thing is gone today and I can roll my chassis back where it belongs - right in the middle of my shop. Wrapping up a kitchen and all the xmas buiz and hopefully I can get back on mine!!

I promise a vid of P-Bag on the next sunny day!

[Low Elco]

He still Flippin burgers, or did he get a full time gig?

[jlsanborn]

Burger Boy for 30hrs chump-change a week. His insurance is a cool $215 already. Been riding his AZZZ about signing up at the community college. Some great AA programs here. If not that, then get a better damn job so I can start charging rent

[Bomp]

He's already got oil in them veins is he interested in a mechanics class or welding?
I weld and its GREAT

[Low Elco]

Originally Posted by Bomp

He's already got oil in them veins is he interested in a mechanics class or welding?
I weld and its GREAT

It better be, as much OT as you're sackin'!

[Low Elco]

Originally Posted by jlsanborn

Burger Boy for 30hrs chump-change a week. His insurance is a cool $215 already. Been riding his AZZZ about signing up at the community college. Some great AA programs here. If not that, then get a better damn job so I can start charging rent

Oof! I remember when I was 20 and had a lifted 4x4, my Ins was $30 more than my payment!

Yup, time right now to sign up for spring semester. How 'bout UPS? Good tuition assistance. I've told both my kids I worked like hell and didn't make squat till I went to machinist school, on tuition assistance from the place I worked. It's the reason I have the job I have now, 16 years later. Show him this-

From a fellow hotrodding dirtball- GO TO SCHOOL NOW, KNUCKLES!

Only 30 a week- a fella could run a strong firewood hustle on that.

Y'all have a good christmas.

[jlsanborn]

Thanks guys and I'll be staying on him! He's a great boy and way smarter than he thinks. It'll happen.

Happy Holidays to you too!!

[jlsanborn]

Little teaser clip...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf-yQvmeT28

[Bomp]

Sounds pretty healthy

[mud.man.rj]

Truck sounds like it could be trouble coming down the street..

[jlsanborn]

This just in... He was thinking about slapping it in tomorrow Making him hang with the Grandmas!

[jlsanborn]

This makes me laugh!

[jlsanborn]

Sadly, Punching Bag will be headed to the crusher here soon. Boy snagged this 2wd Blazer last night and will be prepping that to receive his motor / trans. Need a catchy name Chip!

[mud.man.rj]

Sad...it's not a classic.. Oh well looks tame, may keep him out of trouble, maybe.

[jlsanborn]

I'm hoping he turns this over for some bux. He's been finding some sweet '67-'72 K10/20's on the list and that's what he really would like to have.