Homebuilt Mid-Engine Sports Racer
- Thread starter manta22
- Start date
Neil I really like your fan setup, and had thought to do something very similar for a street driven Ferrari, but was convinced by others the noise would be deafening with smaller, higher speed fans in lieu of a pair of larger slower speed ones. In your case noise probably isn't an issue, however 
Neil
Supporter
I put the block on an engine stand and cleaned the oil passages, main bearing bores, and cylinder liners with brushes and then sprayed them with brake cleaner. I also brushed & sprayed the lifter bores. I wiped the liners with lintless wipers after spraying them with brake cleaner and they are now as clean as I can get them. A light spray of WD-40 was the last step, just to prevent any rust. When the main bearing seals arrive (Monday or Tuesday) I will install them and the main bearings so that I can drop the crank in. I did a trial fit on the Milodon copper head gaskets and they look fine. It was not easy getting them out of the skin pack without bending them. They are really SOFT!
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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Neil
Supporter
A bit more progress today- I re- installed the fuel pump block- off plate, cleaned the oil pump thoroughly, removed the main cap studs, cleaned them and re- installed all but the angled studs. I installed the upper main bearing, applied some Red Line assembly lube, and laid thee crank into place. Maybe the rear main seal & oil pan seals will arrive tomorrow and I can put the lower main bearings in place and torque down the main bearing caps.
The King XP bearings are unusual, their bearing surfaces are flat black.
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
The King XP bearings are unusual, their bearing surfaces are flat black.
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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Neil
Supporter
I spent the afternoon installing the crank and main bearings. I put in a new rear main seal; the previous one was a Fel- Pro blue silicone seal but this time I decided to use their flouroelastomer seal 2912. It isn't as soft as the silicone seal and costs more but I think that this is a heavier duty material. Seals and bearings were coated with assembly lube before the crank was dropped into place.
The straight studs are torqued to 70 ft-lbs and the angled studs are torqued to 65 ft-lbs. The oil pump is also now installed. The next step will be to install the camshaft. Getting assembly lube on the cam bearings isn't going to be easy.
The straight studs are torqued to 70 ft-lbs and the angled studs are torqued to 65 ft-lbs. The oil pump is also now installed. The next step will be to install the camshaft. Getting assembly lube on the cam bearings isn't going to be easy.
Neil
Supporter
I've had some delay in getting my engine assembled- I just got out of the hospital last Friday afternoon. While Joline and I were in Nashville helping her sister to move into her new house, my gall bladder started acting up so when we got back to Tucson we stopped in to the Tucson VA Hospital to see about getting an appointment to see a doctor. They admitted me the same day and removed my gall bladder in the next two days. I'm "ahead of schedule" in recovering according to my surgical team.
Anyway... I just placed an order for a new set of piston rings with Summit. My Cosworth pistons need 0.043", 1/16" & 3/16" rings so the unequal top & second ring made choices limited. Sealed Power had what I needed. I decided to replace the old rings as long as I was re-doing the engine just to be on the safe side.
Anyway... I just placed an order for a new set of piston rings with Summit. My Cosworth pistons need 0.043", 1/16" & 3/16" rings so the unequal top & second ring made choices limited. Sealed Power had what I needed. I decided to replace the old rings as long as I was re-doing the engine just to be on the safe side.
Terry Oxandale
Skinny Man
Good to see "normal" again.
NEIL,
GET SOME REST MY FRIEND.. GOD SPEED
GET SOME REST MY FRIEND.. GOD SPEED
Neil
Supporter
I installed my camshaft, a Crower 00427 mechanical roller cam, and stripped the old rings off the pistons. A new set arrived on Friday so I need to get them on the pistons this week. Cosworth used a 0.043" top ring, a 1/16" second ring, and the usual 3/16" oil ring. There were only a few choices of ring sets with different thickness 1st & 2nd rings so I ordered a set from Speed Pro.
I drove up to the Marana Air Park this morning to see a display of WW II aircraft. Lots of fun!
I drove up to the Marana Air Park this morning to see a display of WW II aircraft. Lots of fun!
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Terry Oxandale
Skinny Man
Looks like the Collings Foundation group. Best hour(s) I've ever spent money on (their ride program).
Neil
Supporter
OK, I'm back on the project. I stripped the old rings off the pistons and cleaned them thoroughly with carb cleaner spray. This morning I coated the piston skirts with an "air-dry solid film lubricant", Lubri- Bond B. It is a thin liquid that can be brushed or sprayed on to give it a low-friction surface. It is a suspension of graphite & molybdenum disulfide in an epoxy carrier. My piston skirts were originally coated with some sort of black coating but it had started to show a little wear so I thought I'd try this stuff.
It's made by Curtis Wright Everlube so I think it might work.
It's made by Curtis Wright Everlube so I think it might work.
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Neil
Supporter
My engine is almost finished but I'll post a picture of it before the intake manifold and valve covers were installed. It is an aluminum block Donovan 383 CID. This particular block was originally sold to Dan Gurney for his "stock block" Indy car in '82 or '83. He entered it as a "Chevrolet".
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Is that a wet-sleeve block Neil?
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On another told myself last fall that I was going to get down to your place over the winter and I never did. Weather was so crummy for weeks on end that it really screwed up our schedule. We will try again....
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On another told myself last fall that I was going to get down to your place over the winter and I never did. Weather was so crummy for weeks on end that it really screwed up our schedule. We will try again....
