Alex's RCR GT40 MK1 build

[Alexk]

Figured it's time to start this post.
I placed the order on 12/4/23. RCR just contacted me to send them tires so I figured it's getting close enough to start the build thread.

Kit details
RCR40 Mkl Deluxe Plus Kit
RHD
Single nostril panel
BRM 15x8/10
Hartwell-Style Latch Kit
Door Eyebrows
Door Boxes
G96/01 LSD
302 headers

 

[Alexk]

Choice of engine is a sbf 302. I figured I wanted to be around 400rwhp, which can be done relatively easily in a 302.
I bought a 302 out of a 1996 explorer and then took pretty much everything off of it and threw it away except the heads and intake manifold.

Machine shop bored it out to .030
Trick flow 11r heads, 56cc chamber, 190cc intake.
F303 camshaft with 1.72 rockers
Intake is an Edelbrock performer air gap
Efi Holley sniper

The heads and pistons should bump compression up to around 10.5:1 so I think this combo should be right around 400hp.

 

[Randy V]

Looking good - but - I Hope you’re using different pistons than the ones shown as I am pretty sure those valve reliefs aren’t deep enough or big enough to keep your new intake and exhaust valves in the clear….

 

[Alexk]

Those are the old factory explorer pistons. I put in the 11r trick flow pistons to match the valve size of the heads. Current setup as is does not bind in any way, you can rotate the engine without any issue at all. Definitely a bad idea to put those heads on stock pistons for sure

 

[Jean-Marc]

Nice, but I think you will get a problem with the vent tube height on the valve cover, it will probaly hit the rear clam shell.

 

[Jerry Irwin]

Hi,
Any reason you didn't go the 347 stroker route ?

 

[Alexk]

I considered the 347 stroker, probably the main reason was cost and longevity that I didn't go with it. I can achieve the power I wanted without having to go that route so I decided against it.
As for valve cover height, I figured I'd run into clearance problems with it. Also concerned with intake height but we'll see. I don't really like the sniper valve covers too much but I like how they look. It wouldn't hurt my feelings if I had to change them

 

[Bjørn-Tore Rosenvinge]

Hi Alexk.
Long time since we heard from you. Have you received the kit? Some pictures would be nice.
Ordered my RCR GT40 in mid-April 2024. Got an email a week ago with attached pictures that the kit was finished. The kit will probably be picked up at the end of this week.

 

[Alexk]

I have not received it yet, but I made the final payment last week. Should be getting it anytime now though. I called them Friday about it and they said they were just waiting on wheels to get there and my car is ready so I'm gearing up to go get it

 

[Alexk]

To be honest though, they haven't actually done a whole lot of updates for me and I really haven't heard from them except for payments. They haven't sent me any pictures of anything, which honestly is a little concerning considering the amount of money the kit is and the fact that it went over 15 months when they told me 7. I've been very patient and haven't called them for an update or anything since ordering the kit because I kind of knew what to expect. I'm assuming they'll send me pictures of it when they get the wheels on it and have it ready to go.

 

[Bjørn-Tore Rosenvinge]

Then it is almost ready for delivery. Paid the final invoice at the end of February. Didn't get any pictures of the kit until now after asking Bill about it. RCR has been surprisingly good at answering all inquiries, and we have had a good dialogue.
You can keep us informed of the further process and post pictures of the kit when you receive it.

 

[Alexk]

Once I get the word that it's ready, I'll schedule a date for pickup and go get it. I'll keep everyone updated on it when I hear more but it's definitely an exciting feeling being this close

 

[Darius Rudis]

>...I'll schedule a date for pickup and go get it.

PM me and I'll meet you up there... or you can stop by in Livonia, MI (about 30 minutes away) on your way home...

 

[Alexk]

Looking into the options I have, I might have it delivered instead. If that is the case, I will probably still visit the shop either way so I will get with you. It would be pretty cool to meet up for sure

 

[Alexk]

The car was delivered yesterday. I used Stewart transport and they got it to me really quick. No issues with them so they're a good option to anyone else looking for a shipping company.

Soon I'll get to disassembly and reassembly, but I have a couple things to figure out first. The transaxle was not with the car, I'll make the assumption that it is on backorder or being shipped but I'm not sure. So that's going to put a lot of it on hold for now but I can continue on with other parts of the car. I don't have a checklist of things to do inventory on or a list of items being shipped so I'll just be patient for now and see what shows up in the next couple of weeks.

 

[Bjørn-Tore Rosenvinge]

Now I'm happy for you You've been waiting for a while now and you've finally received the building kit. I'm excited to see how many parts are missing when you finally get the overview. Good luck with your building project and look forward to following you further. I haven't received mine yet, but it's on its way and I'll pick it up in Oslo next Monday.

 

[Alexk]

They sent the checklist and I still have a couple boxes to go through and store, so far everything missing is being drop shipped or on back order. Next step is to get it on the lift and disassemble everything and start the deburring process.

 

[Alexk]

Finally posting an update, I've been working a lot on other projects so the GT40 has been slow but I have been working on it more lately.

Still waiting on a couple parts, specifically the transaxle, axles, headers. I can't do anything engine related until I get some of those so I've been working on other stuff for now.

Fuel tanks are installed for the last time (doubtful)

I made progress on the dash, though I'm not sure what switches I'm going to use yet so I've left the switch panels alone for now.

I have redone all the suspension, but needed to get the car off the lift so I kind of just threw it back together. So I haven't done any kind of alignment but all the spacing on the control arms seems fine, I just have to do all the actual adjusting.

I spent a good portion of a day trying to figure out the steering shaft setup and came up with a plan that worked. That's pretty much where I left off for now so here's some pictures of the progress.

 

[Bjørn-Tore Rosenvinge]

It was good to hear that you are starting the build. Have you decided which fuel pump you want to go for? I haven't started my RCR yet because of a Detomaso Pantera project that needs to be completed first. I expect to be up and running right after the new year.
Good luck with the build project and post updates as you go.

 

[Alexk]

I did decide on how I want to run the fuel system but haven't bought the things yet. I'm going to use two low pressure pumps to feed a switching valve that Holley sells and from there go into a surge tank that has the high pressure pump in it