A week in Aircooled Heaven, I rebuilding my engine At Jake's Options

[DNHunt]

Yep, what brought me to Atlanta was the opportunity to rebuild my engine in Jake's shop. I shipped it back here about a month ago. We put the details together a few months ago.

I reported at 0600 as I was instructed to do. My stuff had been uncrated and was at a stainless bench. I got a small tour and saw some of the stuff they were working on. Soon enough it was time to get to work. My stuff must have gotten wet in transit because there was surface rust on some of the steel parts. I started in cleaning up. I'm convinced most of engine building is cleaning. Things went well and I met everyone as they came in. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. As you can imagine I had to ask for help quite often.

After an hour or so, I started measuring the big ends of the rods. They were pretty good and we determined the clearance was fine. Ok, this isn't so hard. I assembled the crankshaft by lunch. I had the bearings on right, slipped the cam gear on with just a little persuasion. I was starting to feel real good, even a little cocky, joking with the guys and really enjoying it. Jake thought I'd get a shortblock together!



After lunch I got the case ready to assemble. I tried in the cam and Brent thought it was really good So, was ready to load the left side of the case.



Well, you know what's coming. This was entirely too easy. It started with a few small things. The oil pump showed some wear. Ok, I'll get a new oil pump no biggy. Jake wanted me to match port the inlet for the oil pump so I went and ground it out. Jake looked at it and I left a barb so, I ground and smoothed that. I'd filed abit of the cam gear on the crankshaht to clean it up. I knew wasn't perfect but, I thought it would go. Brent came over to try and turn it and it went for a bit then clunk. What's that?. Brent said cam gear. Utoh! We worked with it a bit but, it wasn't right and it really wasn't getting any better. Brent pressed off the gear and I found an old one to cleanup to replace the one I fuched pulling with a gear puller. An hour later we're ready to put the gear on the crank. I put the hot gear on and Brent says "Is the gear lined up with the key?" I say "Yep" It doesnt slip on and when he persuades it the key starts to come out. Not lined up. Crap



When it cooled off he pressed it again. Well, third time was the charm. About then he left and said I could stay if I wanted. I thought I would make sure everything rotated and he said "You could get it to the short block". Message received so I stayed until 9.