Slow build 71 Scamp 440

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Ok lifters bought and also grabbed some swag. I’ll pop them in and do a measure with the factory rockers. Then we’ll take a look at push rods. My stamped factory rockers may just be adequate with that cam but those aluminum roller rockers are enticing and probably better option.

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Skeeter007 said:
Ok lifters bought and also grabbed some swag. I’ll pop them in and do a measure with the factory rockers. Then we’ll take a look at push rods. My stamped factory rockers may just be adequate with that cam but those aluminum roller rockers are enticing and probably better option.

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The factory stamped rockers will want a ball end, not the cup end that’s on the measuring tool you bought. Aluminum rockers will likely use the cup end (but not always)…maybe use that as your motivation to get those rockers you want;). Also, I don’t know big block typical length, but that measuring tool is listed for small blocks.
 
dusterbing the peace said:
The factory stamped rockers will want a ball end, not the cup end that’s on the measuring tool you bought. Aluminum rockers will likely use the cup end (but not always)…maybe use that as your motivation to get those rockers you want;). Also, I don’t know big block typical length, but that measuring tool is listed for small blocks.
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Dammit. Lol I was eying up the Mancini rocker setup. That tool was listed as having one of the larger measurement lengths as a quick Amazon search netted smaller max lengths. Not sure it shipped yet and could cancel that tool unless you think it will work with that setup in the link. Thanks for your input

Mancini Racing Aluminum Roller Rocker Arms
 
Skeeter007 said:
Dammit. Lol I was eying up the Mancini rocker setup. That tool was listed as having one of the larger measurement lengths as a quick Amazon search netted smaller max lengths. Not sure it shipped yet and could cancel that tool unless you think it will work with that setup in the link. Thanks for your input

Mancini Racing Aluminum Roller Rocker Arms
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Flat out, I don’t know enough about big blocks to provide enough assistance other than to know cup vs ball and that they have a longer distance from lifter to rocker than small blocks.

Mancini shows a set of pushrods at just over 9”, which would mean the length checker you ordered won’t work. But, you should really check with Mancini or someone on here might have more experience to better guide you.

Here’s a link to a Mancini set for an RB with hydraulic lifters for reference:
Mancini RB Eng, Hyd. Pushrod Set, Chromemoly

Hopefully you can cancel the checker before having to pay to send it back!
 
dusterbing the peace said:
Here’s the longer version, maybe they can swap it in the order:
Proform Parts 67557 Proform Pushrod Length Checkers | Summit Racing
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And………….. the truck has left the building with the small block tool. So this is a good lesson to learn. Just because it pops up as the recommended tool read the description so you get the right tool. Computers aren’t always right.

So now I need to build a small block engine after the big block is done to justify my wrong purchase. Just cost myself 5 grand
 
Skeeter007 said:
And………….. the truck has left the building with the small block tool. So this is a good lesson to learn. Just because it pops up as the recommended tool read the description so you get the right tool. Computers aren’t always right.

So now I need to build a small block engine after the big block is done to justify my wrong purchase. Just cost myself 5 grand
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How so?
 
Ok well I think it’s probably a good idea to order a timing chain set. I grabbed the Eddy 7804. It will be adequate and I can use what I saved to buy the Mancini rocker set.
 
So some weird gremlins on the Scamp. Back lights went out………. Easy enough. It was the 20amp fuse. I may have caused that messing around with the deck I installed.
Then I went to start it and nothing. So I started the troubleshooting.
Checked battery Good
Check everything before the firewall Good
Checked in car Nothing
Fiddled with wires at firewall connection (outside)!! Bingo
Looks like we’re at that stage.
I’ll pull it all apart and clean it well and run an extra wire from the alt to the battery.
 
Ordered my rockers today and went with the Mancini Racing Aluminum Roller Rocker Arm Kit 1.5 with billet aluminum hold downs by Harland Sharp.

Installed the lifters, oil pump/distributor shaft and popped the plugs in loose to keep **** out of the bores.

Timing chain and gears should be here any day and that will get the front sealed up.

Also will sort out the oil pump tomorrow and see if the one donated to me will do the job.

Also update on the electrical: Blown fuse on the rear lights/dash and found a loose ground on the drivers front marker. The power throughout the car is back. This leaves me with little confidence in the bulkhead so I’ll run the bypass wire from the alt over to the battery or the relay just beside the battery. 8 gauge with twin eyelets?

Mancini Racing Aluminum Roller Rocker Arm Kit

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Ok a lot has happened since last post.
Timing set has arrived and was installed,
Oil slinger installed and cover installed.
Water pump housing and pump installed.
Fuel pushrod and galley plug installed. Went to National Moparts for a ton of hardware and some hard to get parts. Reconditioned the valley hold down plates. Also my rockers arrived yesterday and will be installed today.
Direct connection balancer installed also.

Problem areas.

Pulley’s are way out of alignment and touching. Photos added.

This is the problem when you collect parts over the years and then put them together years later lol

Plugs and heater core inlets on pump ordered and are wrong. But I believe I have the answer to move forward. 2 5/8’s inlets and 9/16 and 1/4 Assuming the 1/4 is the sensor. 5/8’s the heater core inlets? 9/16 plugged?


I’ll try and measure the pushrods after install of the rockers and get them ordered. I’ll have questions on that when the time comes. I’m sure there will need to be preload of some sort.

I’ll be sending out my Demon 750 single pumper to a friend to go through. Not sure it will be adequate for the job but that’s his department. Possible rebuild and jetting.

All in all a good couple of days.

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Ok Rockers are on and shimmed the best I could with the provided shims. I think a better shim assortment would net a better alignment. All rollers are on the valve but some are not centred perfect. The Mancini shims with the kit are all the same size. Each bank can take 1 shim but anymore you loose the 15-20 thou I believe they want. So every bank is 20. If I had a half size shim smaller than what the kit comes with I could really line them up nicely. I may look for shims. Torqued to 40 FP and we move on to measurements tomorrow maybe.

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Shim kit has arrived and after a few more hours of shimming I like where I’m at. They look near centred and I’m moving on to other parts of the build.

Things done this round.
Oil pickup installed
Oil pan with windage tray installed. “Issues”
Water inlet with 195 stat installed.
Temp sensor installed.
Water nipples installed
Oil pump instated
Alt bracket installed.

Ordered

440 Source
Water pump housing plug kit
Water Pump Housing Pipe Plug Kit

Crank pulley non ac with ps
Double Groove Crank Pulley - New Reproduction


Issues
Torquing down pan gasket split and was exposed. I’m confident it’s still sealed but was not happy. 10 then 15 foot pounds
Grey gasket maker used. Should be fine.
Photo added

Found out that my donor 440 that I had before that was bored incorrectly was an AC car. So my brackets didn’t work for my application. Ac stuff on a non ac car would look like a terd. So the above pulley order will solve that.

On to the measuring.

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Pushrod measurement.

I’m not quite sure how to accomplish this but took a rookie stab at it after watching numerous videos.

I used the comp cam measurement tool.

With the tool installed I bolted down the rockers. Not torqued. I then made sure that lifter was bottomed out. I then spun the tool up to ball of lifter and had the cup secured to the ball with minimal thread exposed. I then rotated the engine to see how it looked. These lifters weren’t soaked so when I rotated the engine the pushrod tool did sink into the lifter. I brought the lifter to zero lift and took the measurement. The pushrod at zero lift was not diving into the lifter.
Zero wall clearance issues

Measurement 9” 1/8


Once I feel confident that this is the ballpark of what I need I’ll order from Smith Brothers.

Two measurements taken
First with 1.5 threads exposed
Second with 2 exposed 9” 1/8

I’ll do it again and use a proper measuring tool.

Smith Brothers says I’m on the right path.

photos added

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Skeeter007 said:
Shim kit has arrived and after a few more hours of shimming I like where I’m at. They look near centred and I’m moving on to other parts of the build.

Things done this round.
Oil pickup installed
Oil pan with windage tray installed. “Issues”
Water inlet with 195 stat installed.
Temp sensor installed.
Water nipples installed
Oil pump instated
Alt bracket installed.

Ordered

440 Source
Water pump housing plug kit
Water Pump Housing Pipe Plug Kit

Crank pulley non ac with ps
Double Groove Crank Pulley - New Reproduction


Issues
Torquing down pan gasket split and was exposed. I’m confident it’s still sealed but was not happy. 10 then 15 foot pounds
Grey gasket maker used. Should be fine.
Photo added

Found out that my donor 440 that I had before that was bored incorrectly was an AC car. So my brackets didn’t work for my application. Ac stuff on a non ac car would look like a terd. So the above pulley order will solve that.

On to the measuring.

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Click to expand...
You can pressure test that. Carefully use low air pressure to pressurize the crankcase while an assistant sprays soapy water over the suspect area. Check it with the intake and valve covers on. Becareful not to overpressurize the crankcase. It doesn't take much to find a leak. You can check your other gaskets and seals while your at it.
 
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