1968 Barracuda Notch - Plano, TX

I found a little bit of time in the garage today.

Started mocking up the front of the engine and working out some issues / ideas.

The water pump housing does not clear the crank trigger wheel on the balancer. It is not by much, I will be able to clearance it.

I installed the lifters, pushrods, and rockers.

The balancer is different than stock by about 5/8". Means I will have to get a different crank pulley. They make one that is 1" shorter than stock, so I can buy that one and space it out to line up with the water pump pulley. I could also take that opportunity to take some material off the back of the water pump housing and make more room for a radiator fan. Hmmm... I need to get the other accessories and start mocking it all up to see what room I have and if I could pull that off. Pulling the water pump housing back will also help the balancer clearance issue, guess I will stop grinding on it until I decide which way that is heading. I have removed 5/16" off the back of a water pump housing before, so I know it is no big deal, that is how you modify one when you have a motor plate and want the water pump to end up in the same spot.

Water pump housing and water pump will be painted Orange before they are bolted in place. The headers are just there for mock up, looking at how the new dipstick tube fits in and how the angle plugs work out. The angle plugs make header clearance much easier it appears! I also have a monster set of 2" CPPA headers up in the attic. If I have a chance tomorrow I will put the mounts and K-frame in place on some wood blocks and look at the headers / K-frame / steering box situation. What is unfortunate is that this engine probably wants a 1-7/8" header, so I will probably have to make my own.