Engine Accretion

I’ve been making slow, steady process on the motor over the last few weeks, cleaning up parts and taking my time with the assembly. (I would really like to end up with a motor that doesn’t leak!) I had been putting off  the daunting task of cleaning the rusty, greasy intake manifold. When I did dive into the project (with wire wheels, acetone, steel wool and lots of gloves) it took about 6 hours to finish. There are still a few nooks and crannies that could be better. If I had to do it over again, I’d pay a shop to clean it up for me. As it is, I think paint will stick ok.

I'll be using my hoist to reinstall this now that it's cleaned up.
I’ll be using my hoist to reinstall this now that it’s cleaned up.

Once I have it reinstalled , I can proceed to the rocker arm shafts and valve covers. At that point, I’ll be just about ready to paint.

With the calendar slipping into August, though, I realized I need to pick up the pace. Since I’m using the garage as an engine assembly shop and paint booth, the car is outside on jack stands. It doesn’t rain during the summer here, but it would not be a shock to have some precipitation in September. It would be great to have the ‘Bird back in the garage before that happens.

I was able to reuse the isolators, which was a nice surprise.
The rebuilt steering box. I was able to reuse the isolators, which was a nice surprise.

So, this morning I ordered up a whole bunch of front suspension and steering components: upper and lower control arm shafts and bushings, tie rod ends, ball joints and a center link. I’m told (and whole-heartedly believe) that replacing these parts will be far easier with the motor out. The steering box came back some weeks ago, cleaned, sealed and rebuilt; when done, the front end should be like new.

2 thoughts on “Engine Accretion”

  1. Nice work, Steve. Are you taking out your own coil springs? Consider adding or replacing the zerks that came with your new UCA shaft kits with L-shaped zerks (if they aren’t already that type). The way the new shaft fits into place doesn’t allow for a grease gun to reach the nipple. Would love to see you document the front end in photos.

    New FAT sway bar and end links in the plan? You want to stab those corners don’t you? 🙂

  2. Yep, I plan to remove the springs myself. I’m hoping the local auto parts store has a nice, hefty compressor I can borrow. If not, I’ll consider buying one that’s big enough for these springs.

    No plans at all for a bigger sway bar. I like the way she floats through the turns!

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