67 cuda FB progress UPDATE

[ariffle]

so, while prepping the 318 , installing things like the intake, timing chain housing, water pump, etc. I finally got to the oil pump. The new oil pump was quit stiff as they usually are prior to bench priming them. It took about 10 minutes of priming it before it started to spin as it should, so after it was good and lubed up i put the pickup tube on it and installed it in it's final resting spot, or so I thought... I installed the oil pan then masked the entire engine off before I moved it into the spray booth for a couple coats of sealer then paint. The next day I unmasked it and finished assembling things just prior to placing it in the car. I filled it with break-in oil and verified that it was on top dead center on the compression stoke so the distributor would go in without a hitch. then I realized that after all that, I didn't prime the engine yet. CRAP! So I had to remove the oil pump/ cam drive gear again. of course after I struggled to get it in the correct alignment. It wasn't easy to remove . There is literally no room to grab it after the intake is on. I grabbed a piece of stainless welding rod and bent the tip at a 90 degree so it could grab the back side of the gear to pull it up, but it still wouldn't come up and out. I then decided to remove the plug on the back of the block to maybe get a finger in there to apply up pressure as I pulled on the gear from the top using the welding rod. after 20 minutes of struggling, I finally got it out.
Then I had to figure out how I was to prime the engine without a hex head bit long enough.
Then I remembered that a 7mm allen fits the oil pump drive gear. I cut a 7mm allen wrench and welded it too a piece of solid round stock and whallah! here is the tool I made.

 

[ariffle]

here is a picture of the back of the block where I removed the plug to gain access to aid in pulling the gear up and out.

 

[ariffle]

here is where it goes in. The gear when it gets installed, must have the slot pointing to the first intake manifold bolt on the front drivers side in order for the distributor to be clocked correctly when it gets installed.

 

[ariffle]

this is what it looks like with the gear removed.

 

[ariffle]

After it was successfully removed I inserted the tool I made to prime the engine and get the oil pressure up and flowing thru the engine. The problem now is that the oil pump won't spin again!!!!!!!!!!! Aaargh!!!
Guess what now? yes, you got it. the oil must be drained and the pan removed. well, I only had one clean, virgin bucket to drain the expensive break-in oil into and it has to balance on the 2 inch wide engine stand leg. Yes it got bumped and yes, I ended up wearing $85.00's worth of high end break-in oil. what a day, and I still haven't gotten the oil pump back off the engine again to find out what the issue is. After an hour of cleaning up my huge oil mess and feeling pretty lubed myself, I got the oil pump back off. I thought that maybe the pump was maybe not on perfectly flat and was binding up when trying to spin it but it wasn't matted up crooked at all. I bench primed it again and it did finally begin to spin free and easy again so back on the engine it went, I got it all back together and installed in the car. bell housing bolted up, flex plate bolted up correctly an I realize yet gain, that I have yet to prime the engine. So, I get out my trusty hand made priming rod tool, insert it into the engine and it would not spin again.
Out comes the engine once again. needless to say, that oil pump is not to be trusted and it was exchanged for another one the next day. I finally got it back together, three oil pan gaskets later and a lot of lost break in oil, but by this time I am a pro at it. The first time trying to prime the engine it worked like a charm. so good in fact, it shot oil about 15 feet into the air thru the oil pressure sending unit hole which I neglected to block off and about 30 feet back, directly onto my brother standing there minding his own business. I couldn't stop laughing for about half an our. it literally hit him dead center in the forhead down his face and all the way down his legs. he says "well, you have good oil pressure". That was so funny I nearly pissed myself. After the good laugh, we got the engine installed, wired and plumbed. I have to say, it looks amazing.

 

[ariffle]

it fired right up with a couple caps full of gas dumped down the carb. to aid in priming it. Got the cam broke in after 20 minutes of 2000 RPM run time. we noticed a significant oil leak at the oil filter adapter but decided to finish with the cam break in and tend to the leak after it cooled off.
The engine got pretty hot and almost over heated. so I decided the next day to add a good trans. cooler. then I decided a new radiator is needed, so I ordered that. better to be safe than sorry with a new engine. it'll be here this coming week.
I also noticed that even after installing a new set of oil adapter gaskets that I still have a leak at that location, so I did what anyone would do. I torqued it up a bit more. Guess what happened next?

 

[ariffle]

Snap!!!!
Oh ****! Thank God I didn't ruin anything else. So I ordered another one and it'll be here by this coming Thursday.
The unfortunate thing is, I wanted to take the car to the Colby Cruz and street show this weekend but that didn't happen.
I don't think I'll even make it to the Mopar unlimited show next weekend in Everett either. I'm pushing for it but I don't even have five miles on the engine at this point, so I'm kind of hesetant to take the 45 mile drive yet. we'll see what happens

 

[ariffle]

Almost forgot. I also finally got the Vintage air completely plumbed and wired in as well. It works very well.

 

['Cuda_ragtop]

Hang in there!
90* adapter leaked on my 70. Laid a straight edge across the face and saw it was not truly flat.
Ran the face over a belt sander to get it flat... no more leak.

Would love to see it in Everett next Sunday if you can make it.
Stop by either way and say hi.

 

[ariffle]

I'll do my best. If I have work to do on the car, I most likely won't make it, but if I have it all put back together and my new radiator and adapter bold and gaskets arrive in time to install and it tests out well, then I'll be there. If I get it all put back together but haven't tested it, I'll still be there.

 

[ariffle]

It just occurred to me that I never posted up anything on my seat upholstery work or carpet installation. I'll start transferring pictures and get them posted up here very soon, if anyone is interested. I decided to just go with Legendary upholstery instead of a custom interior. I kind of spent that money on redoing the original 273 and A-727 T.F. over and over.

 

[1967 'cuda]

Guess what happened next?

 

[ariffle]

You can't get more accurate than that!

 

[famous bob]

so, while prepping the 318 , installing things like the intake, timing chain housing, water pump, etc. I finally got to the oil pump. The new oil pump was quit stiff as they usually are prior to bench priming them. It took about 10 minutes of priming it before it started to spin as it should, so after it was good and lubed up i put the pickup tube on it and installed it in it's final resting spot, or so I thought... I installed the oil pan then masked the entire engine off before I moved it into the spray booth for a couple coats of sealer then paint. The next day I unmasked it and finished assembling things just prior to placing it in the car. I filled it with break-in oil and verified that it was on top dead center on the compression stoke so the distributor would go in without a hitch. then I realized that after all that, I didn't prime the engine yet. CRAP! So I had to remove the oil pump/ cam drive gear again. of course after I struggled to get it in the correct alignment. It wasn't easy to remove . There is literally no room to grab it after the intake is on. I grabbed a piece of stainless welding rod and bent the tip at a 90 degree so it could grab the back side of the gear to pull it up, but it still wouldn't come up and out. I then decided to remove the plug on the back of the block to maybe get a finger in there to apply up pressure as I pulled on the gear from the top using the welding rod. after 20 minutes of struggling, I finally got it out.
Then I had to figure out how I was to prime the engine without a hex head bit long enough.
Then I remembered that a 7mm allen fits the oil pump drive gear. I cut a 7mm allen wrench and welded it too a piece of solid round stock and whallah! here is the tool I made.

View attachment 1715052009

I did the same thing back in the early 70`s for my first hemi.

 

[ariffle]

i'm still alive. posting up pictures very soon.

 

[ariffle]

here are a few examples of the seat condition when taking apart. VERY NASTY!
I sandblasted and coated them prior to building them back up

 

[ariffle]

Here Is an example of what it looks like when assembling them. I did not purchase a seat kit. I just purchased what I needed at Joann fabrics at a fraction of the price and ordered a large roll of pure cotton in a roll. the cotton was 5 inches thick and I used two layers and added 1 1/2 inch foam. they are AWESOME! very comfortable.

 

[ariffle]

here is what the car looks like with them installed on the new carped and padding along with the new door cards. I still need some wind-lace, sun visors, fresh door handles. it's getting there!

 

[ariffle]

as you can see, I am in need of the lower door vent louvers. I can't locate any good ones that are not brittle. those will have to wait until I find some

 

[ariffle]

And here she is, all wrapped up in it's FISH WRAPPER.

 

[ariffle]

On a side note. sort of off topic but my son just rebuilt his first organ donor. He still needs to re-do the tank. He did a nice job. It's a 2006 Kawasaki Ninja 636 I think. He is going to sell it. It was a cheap purchase and a cheap build for some profit making so he can work on a car project.

 

[ariffle]

I almost forgot.
I finally purchased a new dash board and bezel for my 01 1/2 Dodge Ram cummins 4x4l from LMC truck. PERFECT fit. If you remember earlier, I mentioned that it was mostly gone. Cracked and falling in. I also put new front axle U-joints on it, new power steering pump, brakes, Starter and upper and lower ball joints. It looks pretty sweet! New fog lights too! feels like a new truck again. She does only have 194 thousand miles on her. I LOVE this truck!!!! I'll post some more pix after they finish downloading.

 

[ariffle]

As promised. Here are a few of the truck repairs. I didn't take very many while working on it.

 

[ariffle]

I'll share a couple pictures of an invitation ONLY, car show that I was invited too this last summer. No awards, just a charity event from war veterans TOO veterans. I was proud to have been asked to attend. GREAT Guys and Gals!!!

 

[SNKEBIT]

Nice job!!!! That Super Bee has my all time favorite stripe.