It's Time to Reassemble the Engine!

In our last installment of RAGTOP REDUX, we disassembled the drivetrain, evaluated each component, and documented the originality of our rare L78-powered '70 convertible. For those who may have missed it, here is the Cliff's Notes version: We determined that the engine assembly was, for the most part, all original. The exceptions were the heads ( right casting #, but dated the same day as the engine was assembled), the distributor (wrong # and date), and starter (wrong # and date). The transmission and rearend, however, are correct and original for the car, and bear all the correct casting numbers, dates, and markings.	1a&b. Cleanliness may be next to godliness, but it's also imperative to keeping your engine healthy. All machined components should get a good bath with hot, soapy water, then blow them dry with compressed air. After installing all the freeze plugs and oil galley pipe plugs, position the upper main bearing halves in the block before dropping the crank in place.
Our first order of business was to have the major engine components machined and readied for reassembly. Our block required a sleeve in the #1 cylinder, due to a dropped valve, and the bores were taken out another .030-inch. New TRW forged pistons were ordered, as well as a full set of Clevite 77 bearings and Fel Pro gaskets. Competition Cams has a full complement of original-profile musclecar cams, so we gave them the nod for the entire valvetrain, including the cam, lifters, pushrods, springs, locks, and retainers.
2. Powerhouse Products offers a complete line of affordable engine assembly aids. Outside mikes and inside snap guages help determine clearances, while the adjustable ring compressor and rod guide are absolute necessities. We also opted for their crank timing gear and harmonic balancer installation tools.

3a,b&c. A "dry" assembly of the engine will allow you to check all the critical clearances. We double checked our micrometer readings with Plasti-gage before final assembly. Be sure to use an engine assembly lube or liberal applications of engine oil during final assembly.

4. Our valvetrain consists of a Comp Cams "original profile" cam, complementary lifters, long-slot rockers, and related valvetrain components.	5a&b. Special cam break-in lube is supplied with each Comp Cams camshaft. Apply it generously to each lobe as well as each bearing journal to ensure proper protection during initial engine run-in. To phase the cam and crank correctly, simply line up the "dots" on the cam and crank gears. Degreeing the cam is optional.
We also relied on Holley Performance Products' Custom Shop to restore our carburetor, and they did a magnificent job. Besides, who better to effect a correct restoration than the folks who originally supplied the carb for this application? Naturally, reassembling any engine requires some specialized tools, and we ordered what we needed from the Powerhouse Products catalog. We found all their products more than adequate for our needs, and quite affordable, too. Unquestionably, the adjustable ring compressor and the rod guide are indispensable items, and mandatory for any gearhead's toolbox.

6. Our assembled short block is ready to have the heads dropped in place. At this point, we've already installed the oil pan, timing cover and harmonic balancer. The lifters have also been dropped into their bores.	7. Fel Pro gaskets have been the choice of many engine builders for years, and we share their confidence in them. We especially like the idea of not having to retorque the heads after break-in, due to the head gaskets' Perma-tork design.
Finally, we ordered many detail items from Original Parts Group, Inc. They can supply virtually anything you need to restore your Chevelle, and the parts we received from them were all first-rate. Let's a take a look at how it all came together...

8. Our heads were treated to a 3-angle valve job and a new set of GM stainless 2.19/1.88-inch valves. The valve springs, retainers and locks all came from Comp Cams.	12a&b. Holley's Custom Shop did a beautiful job restoring our original carb, while OPG,Inc supplied the needed fuel lines and throttle cable. The AC fuel pump is a parts counter item. Always use a flare nut wrench to tighten line fittings. 13. We also ordered a set of correct coolant hoses, a fuel line-to-pump hose, and new ground straps from OPG, Inc. Details do make the difference!
9. Elsewhere in this issue, you'll read a story on EMT Technologies' new exhaust manifold treatment. Check out the finish; it's just like fresh cast iron! We installed ASL's smog tubes before bolting the manifolds to the heads.
10. OPG, Inc has a tremendous selection of engine detail items, so we ordered a set of valve covers, an open-element air cleaner, and a host of other enhancements to help our big-block look and act like it should.
11.Our newly refurbished ASL distributor was complemented by a correct cap, coil, and dated spark plug wires from the Original Parts Group, Inc. Don't forget to install the gasket on the distributor before dropping it in place.	14. Here's our completed engine; it's all dressed up with someplace to go. Unfortunately, it probably won't get there until the body and paint work has been completed. But that's yet another story. Stay tuned!!!

The Nevada Connection

            ASL Company, Inc.
            1200 S. Rock Blvd, #10
            Sparks, NV  89431
            (702) 331-3331
            
            Competition Cams
            3406 Democrat Road
            Memphis, TN  38118
            (901) 795-2400
            
            Holley Performance Products
            PO Box 10360
            Bowling Green, KY  42102-7360
            (502) 781-9741
            
            Original Parts Group, Inc.
            17982 Gothard Street
            Huntington Beach, CA  92647
            (800) 243-8355
            
            Powerhouse Products
            3402 Democrat Road
            Memphis, TN  38118
            (901) 375-3430

Electronic pages by AL