Daverods 52

[99 to Life]

ahhhhh, been in your shoes kinda. My previous engine (one I put in when I started building my 51') was just a stock engine that I put a cam and intake on yada yada. Thing never had good oil pressure to begin with. I ended up flooding it out a ton because somehow the main vacuum port in the back of my carb got unscrewed. Couldn't figure that out till I switched carbs. It slowly ran worse and eventually blew a main, my oil when squirting right up and over my fenders all over the garage in the dead of winter. SOOOOOOO..... it will feel like it will never get done, but I assure you it will. I am actually sooo glad that happened to me, cause now I know what to look for and I rebuilt my current engine, all but the crank and mains hey time was a factor. I like it and understand it more now. I'm working on a vortec engine too, so hopefully I'll swap them out next year.

Anyway, I'd just take the engine out, pop the heads, make sure your threads are good in the block, put new gaskets in and put more sealant on your threads. I used the white stuff and my buddy just uses rtv black high temp silicon, that stuff is nice and thick, but hard to clean outta threads. Maybe change your oil. Also use break in additive if you have to break the cam in, sux cause all that oil and additive is money wasted if you got water and anti freeze in it.

keep us posted and good luck, your truck will be awesome.

[daverod]

I think I'll just take the engine out of my 66 take the heads off it. Put them back on right. Then swap it to the 52. Good thing is I have some good work coming up. So more parts. Really the head thing just cost time more than anything. Maybe I'll learn how to put heads on right. Think a longer bolt in the head would help?

[Strodder]

How can you strip a head bolt? Got any pictures?

[daverod]

thats what I was thinking,I was at 70,

[Strodder]

You need to tap all the head bolt holes and blow them out to clean the threads This is so you get the correct torque, and not strip the bolts
Just a thought incase you didn't know.

[99 to Life]

yeah strodder made a good point, especially now that you have all that sealant in them, run tap down and blow em out, double check the hole that your bolt was in. Honestly, I'd just buy all new head bolts, old bolts actually stretch and are just weaker. Also torque in steps, 25, 45, 65 for example.

[Strodder]

Absolutely, new bolts.

[daverod]

Damn new bolts are $$..Engines out. Came out fast and easy. Any idea on the tap size?

[daverod]

My god. Head gaskets price any where from 10 to 200. Any ideas on which to use? I think the ones I put on were fel pro i see their the cheapest.

[Strodder]

Fel pro is the best. Check the head bolts for the size dummy.

[daverod]

Originally Posted by Strodder

Fel pro is the best. Check the head bolts for the size dummy.

thats the sad part i am a dummy.Autozone heads bolts 16 a head and 12 for heads gasket.Fel pro nothing but the best.

[Strodder]

It could be that your too lazy too look aslo.

[daverod]

Cleaned out the bolt holes. Big diff.

[coulter]

dang dude i need to get out of the 60-66 forums more often!!! dave this truck is sweet!!! i just read the whole thread and dig everything about ur build!! well except for the stripped head bolt =(
cant wait to see it finished man keep it up!!!

[daverod]

thanks bud. Shoild be getting back on it soon. Just try to make some cash for the winter.100 degrees and I'm worried about winter.

[daverod]

It's alive. Swapped eninges and heads put the engine back in filled it up with fluids. Today I fired it up. Still need to adjust my valves made some cut out valve covers to make it alittle less messy. Only let it run for a min. still need to hook up my pedal,

[Alan's Classic]

Sweet
Posted via Mobile Device

[C@rnut001]

Awesome, glad to hear you are making some great progress. Good luck!

[daverod]

My 570 carb turned out to be a 870 carb. Guess the ebay seller could'nt see very good. I can relate. Anyways had to get another off ebay. This time it was a 570. Also got a Fulton visor. And ya I need a new lens for my crappy phone.

[rollinrooster]

Gettn it done!!!! Love the visor, were did you find it at? Also as far as being a big dummy... try putting a two piece rear main oil pan on a one piece rear main motor tried this friday night and broke the corner off of an aluminum pan.

[daverod]

I got it off ebay. Really good condition made out of Al. Just need to paint it a darker color and make it look beat. Gettin the coffie ready for the folks?

[daverod]

Ran my engine for about 20. Everything ok. I reved it between 2 and 3. Great for heating up the garage. I ran some hoses for the exhaust. Kinda worried about the temp.210. I was in a garage reving it up for 20. Guess I should finish up my brakes so I can go for a ride. Put a 650 ? truck avenger on it for now.Might be better for when I start messing with the bags. I see they make a low rider carb.

[99 to Life]

210 seems on the higher side for me just sitting there. You check your timing? I guess now that your in the initial breakin stage, see what it does at 900rpm depending on what your cam likes for idle. Make sure your waterpump and belts are tight? Glad to hear your running though.

[daverod]

I checked the belts, thermo 195 ,timing at 4 bdc,15 lbs cap, I am running just water? I'm thinking it will be ok. Got it all jacked up this morning,working on the brakes today, flex to converter, trans lines (in bent one already). Front air lines are still leaking I keep tighting them to much and breaking them.

[Strodder]

210 does seem a little hot. Antifreeze should help.