RAT Engine Install:

8/12/05: I've started the work to install my Killer RAT. The car is back on jackstands. I've removed the carbs and header. I'll drop my old tired/worn engine out this weekend. I have a list of details that I need to address before I can paint the engine area and the rear sub-frame. Than I'll be able to install the engine.

8/14/05: Dropped the engine and cleaned up some of the engine bay details. A little welding, a little bondo and a little primer. Photo #1 is the engine sitting on the dolly.

8/21/05: Worked on cleaning up the engine bay. I fab'd some small sheet metal pieces that hide my ugly welding at the rear shock mounts. The forth pic from the left shows this piece. Also started painting the rear tubing. I'm using Rustolum Industral Red in the big cans. Looks good. Also removed the rear shocks/springs and cleaned them up. I need to cover/fill some of the holes in the lower firewall. These were the e-brake cable, heater box cables, and the big hole that the wiring harness went thru. I'm trying to clean up the entire area. I'm also slowly stripping down my engine and transfering parts to the RAT.

8/23/05: Welded in a piece of sheet metal to clean up the center section of the firewall that had been cut out. This is where my wires run between the passenger compartment and the engine. Also finished the sheetmetal at the rightside shock tower and bondo'd it in so it's clean. Removed the rear brake lines to paint the front of the engine bay. I'm actully making pretty good progress. Maybe I can get the engine in theis weekend. (yea, right)

8 /28/05: I had to fabricate a modified right front engine mounting bracket. Full flow pumps have the oil line exiting right into the side of the stock bracket. I used copper pipe nipples and fittings to extend the hose barbed fittings away from the pump. I felt the pipe nipples needed to be supported, so I welded on some tabs and put clamps around the pipe. Holds everything nice and tight.

8/29/05; Last night I welded in the support between the inside trailing arm support ear and the firewall. Tonight I'll be able to prime and paint the remainder of the engine bay. I've also cleaned up and reinstalled the rear shocks and springs. I worked on modifing the fan housing to lighten it up by removing some of the stiffening ribs and I drilled some holes in it. It is made of cast aluminum so it is pretty light in the first place. I shouldn't be wasting my time on it but it looks better when it is cleaned up.

8/30/05: Painted the left side engine bay. Also removed the stub pipes for the header from the existing engine. Found one to be cracked, so I'll need to weld that up. Removed the tranny from the engine. I need to clean up the tranny before I install it on the new engine. Easy-off oven cleaner seems to be the best thing to use.

9/1/05: I was going to install the oil cooler and realized I need to get new seals. Than I was going to install the header stub pipes and realized I don't have any of the oval copper seals at the exhaust ports. DAMN! I did finish painting the engine bay. Really RED. I also drilled holes in my 1.7 sheetmetal for the 2.0 head's sparkplug locations. I'll have to weld up the 1.7 holes. Man, this crap is s-l-o-w going.

9-2-05: Picked up the parts and installed the exhaust stub pipes. Found that one of the exhaust studs were broken. Not all the way down at the head but just enough that I can't get a nut on with the stub pipe on. But with a little grinding to make the pipe shorter and filing on the mounting tab I was able to get a nut on with about two turns. I welded up the cracked stub pipe also. I tested it with water to make sure there were no pin holes. It took about four times before it was completey filled. I cleaned the tranny with EZ-Off oven cleaner. I had never used it before, I think its better than Gunk. I applied it several times and washed it off with the hose. It etches the aluminum and leaves it very clean. I used the whole can on it and it was all I needed. Today was a very good day I also, installed the hard brake lines in the engine bay, installed studs for the rockers, cleaned up the engine tin, made covers to go over the 1.7 spark plug holes, removed the clutch and P-plate from my old engine, installed the oil lines on the engine that will go to the remote filter, installed the oil cooler ith the new seals.

9-12-05: Been working since the last update on the engine tin, fan housing, valve train. I needed to get new heavy duty studs for the rocker arm shafts. After talking to Jake, the stock 6mm studs will not handle the dual valve springs that are on the heads. I ordered a set of his HD studs (9mm) and nuts. He is also sending me a set of 911 adjusters. I used my grinder to clean up the fan housing by grinding off some of the tabs and stuff. I also had a few guys over abfer our 914 breakfast get together and we lifted the engine off the stand and down onto a rolling cart. I'll now be able to install the clutch and pp and mount the tranny to it. Once I get the 911 adjusters installed I'll than be able to bolt it into the car. I'm hoping to get this done this weekend.

9-13-05: I took the day off from work and got the engine tin painted and installed, the push rods installed, installed the clutch and PP, engine bolted to the tranny, and the engine in the car!!! Actually just the rear tranny bolts are installed but it is the ready to lift up to the front bar mounts. I'm also changing out some hardware. The engine mounting bolts are too long so I'm getting shorter ones

9-17-05: Bolted on the carbs, installed fuel line and cable, installed header, oil filter bracket, adjusted valves, filled with oil, fab'd new wiring plate, etc, ect, etc.
Ready to start it tomorrow!

10-7-05: Cut new push rods and installed the valve train.

10-8-05: Got it running!!!!

10-9-05: Went to an a/x!!!! What a kick in the ass. Need to get it dialed in. but it was fast.

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