The AMC Forum : 74 Hornet project http://theamcforum.com/forum/ This is an XML content feed of; The AMC Forum : Member Projects : 74 Hornet project Fri, 24 May 2013 04:43:26 +0000 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 22:39:33 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 10.03 360 theamcforum.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=27163 The AMC Forum http://theamcforum.com/forum/http://www.theamcforum.com/forum/skin_images_amc/forumheader.png http://theamcforum.com/forum/ 74 Hornet project : Tried to download software to... http://theamcforum.com/forum/74-hornet-project_topic27163_post445193.html#445193 Author: Traveller
Subject: 27163
Posted: Apr/14/2013 at 10:39pm

Tried to download software to work with my phone and this computer, couldn't get it to work.   I can get the pictures off the phone, but they're all thumbnail size on this computer for some reason.   Should have my other computer back up this week.

Took apart the R/H door today and lubed the window regulator, installed new window guides, new belt moldings, and my wife cleaned up the glass.   Put it all back together and installed the door handle.   Cleaned up and waxed the back 1/3 of the car also. 

Crank is back from the grinder, bearing clearances are checked and are right where I want them.  Short block will be getting worked on this week.   Going to try to have a long block within three weeks and I need to get the engine compartment done.   Hoping to have it driveable this summer.


]]> Sun, 14 Apr 2013 22:39:33 +0000 http://theamcforum.com/forum/74-hornet-project_topic27163_post445193.html#445193 74 Hornet project : STILL haven't gotten my damned... http://theamcforum.com/forum/74-hornet-project_topic27163_post442821.html#442821 Author: Traveller
Subject: 27163
Posted: Apr/06/2013 at 12:32pm

STILL haven't gotten my damned computer back.   It's supposed to have been "done tomorrow" for over a week.   Ah well.

Fitted the main bearings and test fit rings this week.   The main clearances were too tight, as the crank grinder ground to the high side of spec.   So, I sent the crank back down yesterday for him to take another thou and a half out of, and it will be done early next week.   That will give me the space I'm looking for, and then I can start to assemble.   The rod bearings all fit right where I want them clearance wise.  Still waiting on the gas porting fixture from Goodson so that I can gas port the pistons before installing them.   Hopefully I have the crank back next week, the gas porting fixture shows up, and I have a short block next weekend.  Trying to get the motor mostly done by the end of the month.  

Pulling things together for the big swap meet at the dragstrip next weekend (13th).  Also a test and tune day, so I'll run the truck a couple times.   I'm racing our pickup in the club races starting on the 19th and I'll race that until the car is ready. 




]]> Sat, 06 Apr 2013 12:32:51 +0000 http://theamcforum.com/forum/74-hornet-project_topic27163_post442821.html#442821 74 Hornet project : Still waiting on my computer,... http://theamcforum.com/forum/74-hornet-project_topic27163_post441698.html#441698 Author: Traveller
Subject: 27163
Posted: Apr/02/2013 at 12:09am

Still waiting on my computer, but my wife telecommutes Friday and Monday, so she won't be able to see if the tech is done until tomorrow. 

Bit more work on the car Sunday.   Disconnected the front wiring (lights, horns) and pulled it back into the engine compartment.   Took a few more things out of the engine compartment and pulled together the AMC 20 parts to take to the shop.   Need to use the press to put the rear bearings on the Moser axles.  

Worked on my block this evening after work.   Threaded the front hole for the internal pickup passage.   Drilled and tapped the hole in the front oil galley junction for the valley line mod, ran a drill through all the mains to smooth any burrs and make sure they were all large enough.   Didn't end up removing much, as they were all fairly clean.  Built the valley line using AN fittings and -8 braided hose.   I picked up the -12 line and fittings that I needed to build the external line from the oil pickup to the pump adapter plate at lunch today.  Still getting over the sticker shock from the 2 full flow 90 degree -12 fittings.   $34.76 each.   Yikes.  The hose and straight fittings were relatively cheap in comparison.

Went ahead and did a good scrub and final clean of the block paying special attention to getting the main galleys clean after doing the lifter bushing install.  Pressure washed it in the jet washer after the detergent cleaning.

Cleaned the cylinders using ATF after drying everything, then installed the AN fittings in the block and installed the valley line.   I'll be putting all the block plugs in it tomorrow, and if I have time before or after work, I'll be mocking up the bearings to check clearances.   Need to install the cam bearings, soft plugs and galley plugs before I start assembly.   Need to file fit rings, but I can't put the pistons in it until I lateral gas port them. 

Did take a couple pics of the block on the cart when I was done.   Should be able to upload pics again soon I hope.


]]> Tue, 02 Apr 2013 00:09:07 +0000 http://theamcforum.com/forum/74-hornet-project_topic27163_post441698.html#441698 74 Hornet project : Like I said in my last post,... http://theamcforum.com/forum/74-hornet-project_topic27163_post440343.html#440343 Author: Traveller
Subject: 27163
Posted: Mar/27/2013 at 11:56pm

Like I said in my last post, the main computer is down, but is being repaired.   Hard drive died with all my pics and picture software.   However, we dropped a new drive off with the repair guy (one of the main I.T. techs where my wife works) and he should have it recovered, copied and back to us any day now.  Turns out the drive decided to quit spinning with no warning.   If it was smacked, it would spin up, which is how he's copying it.   It runs for awhile once it's smacked, but won't power up again unless it's hit again.   It's less than 2 years old, and it makes no noise and gave no warning that it was dying. 

On Sunday I spent about 3 1/2 hours at the shop doing lifter bushings.   I used bushings from BHJ that I custom ordered.   I went with a 1.7" bushing with a .100 lip (1.030 O.D. on the lip, 1.00 bushing O.D.).  Turned out they were about .100 long, which is what I figured, but I didn't have my block there to measure the day I ordered.   Figured if they were a bit long then I could trim them, which is what I did.   1.6" fits great.   1.5" in the hole, and the .100 lip above the bore.   My block had the lifter bores spot faced from the factory, which helped.  This block has no appreciable core shift which I had noticed back when I was working on it before.   I went with a .090 hole in each bushing centered on the oil gallery.  Turned out great.   I have them reamed to .903.

After measuring with our good mics at work versus just checking with a dial caliper, the Crower lifters are .9029 which makes them a bit small for stock lifter bores.   Good thing I'm bushing them.  Honing to .904 will be great.   The stock bores were .905-.9052 so using aftermarket lifters leaves a lot of room.   This block was pretty tight, and I've seen them around .9055 or a bit higher.   That's way too much room for a .903 lifter, so this remains something to keep an eye on when ordering lifters.   As has been pointed out many times, There's a lot of oil pressure that can be going around 16 lifters at .0025 or more clearance.   Bushing the bores might be an expensive, but necessary solution in some cases. 

Going to try to get them honed tomorrow so that I can throw another block in the hone cabinet.   It's only me running it right now, but I need to do a Hyundai (choke) at some point tomorrow.  

Pics when the main computer is back...


Edited by Traveller - Mar/27/2013 at 11:58pm]]> Wed, 27 Mar 2013 23:56:54 +0000 http://theamcforum.com/forum/74-hornet-project_topic27163_post440343.html#440343 74 Hornet project : Any new pics? http://theamcforum.com/forum/74-hornet-project_topic27163_post438744.html#438744 Author: fast401
Subject: 27163
Posted: Mar/22/2013 at 7:45am

Any new pics?]]> Fri, 22 Mar 2013 07:45:42 +0000 http://theamcforum.com/forum/74-hornet-project_topic27163_post438744.html#438744 74 Hornet project : Lifter bushings showed up today.... http://theamcforum.com/forum/74-hornet-project_topic27163_post438701.html#438701 Author: Traveller
Subject: 27163
Posted: Mar/21/2013 at 10:58pm

Lifter bushings showed up today.   Turns out that our previous parts guy at the shop gave BHJ all the info and set up the order, but never pulled the trigger.   After speaking with BHJ on Tuesday, I received a set of bushings today.   THAT was fast and they are the way I ordered them.  

De-burred the block this evening.   It's been sitting in plastic for a year and a half, and I didn't debur it before I stored it.  It looks good under the dried honing oil.   Looks like it kept it nice and fresh like I was hoping when I bagged it.  Still need to finish up the holes for the valley line and block off the original internal oil pickup passage. 

The rear end is going in to the shop this weekend.   I'm hoping to press the bearings on the axles and get the rear end mostly back together minus the rear cover.   not going to bolt that on until the rear is under the car.  The cover is painted body color and is perfect, thus I don't want to scratch it.   Yeah, crazy to paint under car parts, but it looks good!

My main computer is still down, so no pictures until I get that back up and running.   My picture software is on that computer, but not my laptop.   Should be up and running by early next week.   Turns out the hard drive is dying, which is odd since it's under 2 years old.   The tech got it to spin by tapping it, so they can retrieve all the data and copy it to another drive.   We're picking one up tomorrow to give them. 
]]> Thu, 21 Mar 2013 22:58:04 +0000 http://theamcforum.com/forum/74-hornet-project_topic27163_post438701.html#438701 74 Hornet project : AMC club meeting this morning,... http://theamcforum.com/forum/74-hornet-project_topic27163_post437463.html#437463 Author: Traveller
Subject: 27163
Posted: Mar/16/2013 at 10:52pm

AMC club meeting this morning, then worked at the shop for about 4 hours.   Had a couple things to do and also worked on my 401 crank.   Hauled the block from home, so nearly everything is there for the motor.   Still waiting on BHJ for my lifter bushings.   They should have been here by now.  

Ended up with a two 3/4" slugs on the front counterweight, then a 3/4" on the rear on one side, and two 1/2" shorter slugs a couple inches away where the balancer wanted 60 grams.   Not a lot of heavy metal, just needed 160 grams on one end, 140 on the other divided between 2 locations.   Used the press to install them after drilling and reaming.   They're in with a considerable amount of press fit.  

Cleaned it all off and spun it up with the slugs in it.   Ended up being very close to finished on the rear, and a few grams off on the front near to where the factory balance hole was at.   I'm happy to have moved the correction back onto the counterweight.   Only had to make a small hole to finish it off.   Balanced to less than 1/4 oz/in. for an 1880 bob weight.  Polished the journals, then washed and cleaned the crank and oil passages.   It's all oiled up, bagged and ready to install.

The block needs the lifter bushings done, and then I'll bump a hone through the bores since it sat in sealed engine bags for a year and a half.   Still need to build a valley line for it, but the holes are drilled and tapped. 

Came back to our town and helped a forum member install his 401/727 combo into his drag Gremlin.  The dogs got a walk and a car ride while he and I were working on the car.   Needs a few more things hooked up before we fire it this week.

Went through some boxes at the home shop and found all my AMC 20 parts.   Pulled everything together into one spot so that I can take it to work and press the Moser axles into the bearings and put the thing together.   I'll set preload and backlash there.   I installed the Richmond ratcheting locker into the ring gear housing after removing the spider gears.  I picked up one of the "quiet" lockers 18 months ago and finally got it together this evening.   I was waiting on a decision as to whether or not I was going to install disc brakes or put new large drums on it, because the backing plates are different, and the axles have to have the backing plates on when you press the bearings on.   Decided that the new Bendix drum stuff I already had purchased is the way it's going to go, so I'll put that together this week.

Basically, got a lot of AMC stuff done today!
]]> Sat, 16 Mar 2013 22:52:59 +0000 http://theamcforum.com/forum/74-hornet-project_topic27163_post437463.html#437463 74 Hornet project : Stayed after work and worked... http://theamcforum.com/forum/74-hornet-project_topic27163_post437181.html#437181 Author: Traveller
Subject: 27163
Posted: Mar/15/2013 at 8:56pm

Stayed after work and worked on the crank today.   We had welded a pair of steel slugs into the factory drilled holes to fill the holes and reduce the tungsten required.   Spun it up on the balancer after work and figured out the required heavy metal.   It will only need a couple slugs of 3/4" on one end, a bit less on the other.   Almost could have done it with one 1" slug, but I need just a few more grams.   I can probaby use a single 1" on the rear, then I'll have the correction back on the flanks so that I can remove a small amount on the other side of the counterweight.   Fun stuff!   Will be heading in to the shop tomorrow to work on it and take the block in.  

Edited by Traveller - Mar/15/2013 at 8:57pm]]> Fri, 15 Mar 2013 20:56:46 +0000 http://theamcforum.com/forum/74-hornet-project_topic27163_post437181.html#437181 74 Hornet project : Backed the car out of the shop... http://theamcforum.com/forum/74-hornet-project_topic27163_post436962.html#436962 Author: Traveller
Subject: 27163
Posted: Mar/14/2013 at 9:26pm

Backed the car out of the shop this evening, and pulled the hood off.   I wrapped it all up nicely to keep it from getting scratched and set it aside.   Pulled the condenser, water bottle and A/C hoses out of the front.   Had less than an hour to work before we started losing light, so that was it.   Hoping to pull the engine soon.   With the weather getting nicer I'm going to try to get out for an hour or so a few nights a week to get the accessories all disconnected, then I'll pull the motor and trans out on a weekend.   Should get a bit more done tomorrow night and then a bunch one of the weekend days.   Need to run the block down to the shop this weekend also.   Going to be getting more done the next few weeks with the weather finally warming up. 

Pics will be forthcoming as this goes on.   REALLY wanting a running car this year.   May not put the A/C back in the car initially.   I can do that later.   Going to pull the dash and rebuild the HVAC box, so I'll get a heater core and A/C evaporator and install them, then cap the evaporator.  

This thing is going to go down a road this year I hope!
]]> Thu, 14 Mar 2013 21:26:24 +0000 http://theamcforum.com/forum/74-hornet-project_topic27163_post436962.html#436962 74 Hornet project : Been super busy at the shop... http://theamcforum.com/forum/74-hornet-project_topic27163_post435771.html#435771 Author: Traveller
Subject: 27163
Posted: Mar/10/2013 at 8:42pm

Been super busy at the shop the last couple months.  Got our Rottler updated so that we can make it do new tricks.   Made a set of valve covers for an engine we displayed at the Roadster Show this weekend.  Here's some pics.
 
The home shop has been pretty much done since last fall, just haven't posted pics of it.   I've been awfully busy at work, so I'm not doing much side work.   16 hour days the last couple days but things are starting to come back together at the shop.  Major upgrade on our Rottler, replacing our cylinder hone, construction in the building and the 4 day car show this week.   Ugh.
 
Going to finally finish balancing the 401 crank this week and get back to work on my own stuff I hope.   Crossing my fingers.  
 
 
]]> Sun, 10 Mar 2013 20:42:59 +0000 http://theamcforum.com/forum/74-hornet-project_topic27163_post435771.html#435771