Stroker 304 Project Build

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   Good evening all, 
Today, Rick and I got more work done on the stroker.  Today, there were only minor 'speed bumps', some of which we were aware of previously.

I got the return line fitting installed in the NOS oil pan, for the Frantz Oil filter ( www.frantzoil.com  ... or www.wefilterit.com ).  You can see it in the photos.  I'll break the engine in on the stand without, but once I get it into the Grand Wagoneer, it will be installed.

Then, we got the NOS oil pan installed, with the stainless oil pan stud kit (from Ebay).  It was great, but they included 1 too many 5/16" nuts and 1 too few 1/4" nuts.  Thankfully, I had a few 5/16" studs/nuts from another misc. package of parts (14 year accumulation on this project) and nabbed a 1/4" nut to finish off the stud installation.  We installed the ROL performance oil pan gasket, which is comprised of a cork/rubber hybrid.  It's a nice piece and we sealed it up with plenty of silicone on both sides and plenty along the oil pan rails and around the front and rear of the cover at the rear main and front timing cover.

Rick also brazes a nut to the bottom of the oil pick up tube on his builds ... a trick to keep the pick up from sucking to the bottom of the oil pan.  Got that installed, which required removing the center main cap bolts/nuts and strap.  Then reinstalled and torqued them to spec.

Then I went over the block/pan with a nice coat of EN-66 AMC Metalic Blue paint.

Next, we got the heads installed with Felpro Hyperblue 304 gaskets and ARP BOLTS this time.  Even the ARP bolts are too long on the exhaust side.  Funny thing is, the head bolts in the rocker area are stock length, but the exhaust side are 1/8" longer ... both are supplied with ARP washers.  We ended up grinding 1/8" off the 6 bolts that wouldn't clear the header flanges, and installed them without the washers.  It's amazing how much aftermarket parts need massaging to get them to fit properly.  After the heads were installed, we went over them with EN-66 paint.

Then, while Rick was working on installing the Pro-products Harmonic Dampner, I was working on massaging the custom aluminum valve covers, so that they would clear the 4 cast embosses on the cylinder heads.  A die grinder cleared away the spots and we test-fit them in place.  Makes the stroker look like a BIG BLOCK ... think I'll have to get 396 emblems for it, LOL.  Rick even had some "Classic 550" emblems we joked about putting on the valve covers (I'll be using the "American 330" emblems).

Rick got most of the Rhodes Lifters installed and we then proceeded to begin test-fitting the Scorpion PEDESTAL MOUNT roller rockers for the 5/16" bridged-rocker heads.  They use a ford Pedestal-style rocker setup ... pretty slick for not needing to machine down the rocker pedestal embosses.  We will however, need to get longer than stock pushrods, which appear to be in the 8.200" range ... off to Ebay I go.

I also decided to paint the valve covers engine color, instead of clear-coating them.  The aluminum sheet metal, scratches easily, so I figured paint would help protect them a bit.  I scott-brighted them to scuff them up and then sprayed away.  Also painted the splash shield for the bottom of the intake, to help keep it clean inside the engine.

That's about it for now ... stay tuned for more progress ... next weekend.

Edited by amundaza - Jan/24/2009 at 10:15pm