.041 is within spec what are you machining?

What exactly are you measuring using the solder method? It seems to be head to piston clearance (that is usually what the solder method is used for). On one hand, you said it was too close, on the other you said compression was too low. These are contradictory.

Not trying to nit pick. Not questioning the competency of you or Jay, your builder. Just trying to understand so that you don't do some unnecessary machining (I doubt Craig would let that happen).

Have you checked and set deck height? This is generally adjusted by barrel shims that also affect piston to cylinder clearance.

There is so much at play here that there is a lot of room for confusion so sorry for the butt in, just trying to be helpful.

Deck height was what I was referring to.. Think you are in spec..

Did volume of combustion chamber measurement with new JE. Pistons and fresh from the shop heads. 10.78:1. Happy with that. Cams back, too. Described as Solex+. To attain proper piston to head clearance we had to add a couple of copper gaskets at the bootom of the jugs. Still, after a couple of “squeeze the solder” tests, where the curved crown of the piston meets the side of the head it was too tight. So, back to the machine shop to shave a little off the curved top of the piston. What will be gain in volume by that will hopefully made up be being able to use one less copper gasket at the bottom.

Also, the new pistons and rings with my otherwise OK jugs don’t yield the right clearance. So, they are off to Wisconsin for what I would describe as a new layer of Nikosil and some machining.

Back at my end, I completed the refinishing of the bottom of the car. Clean, primer and rubber undercoating. Looks good.

Got new Hawk HPS pads and fluid. Rotors are good. Bleed the brakes hopefully next weekend.

Then off to Track First in Richfield OH where new race seats and harnesses will be installed.

Had to add - I am continually impressed by engine builder Jay Kjoller. The level of thoroughness and attention to detail is incredible. He measures everything and compares to spec. Plus, he has done this hundreds of times so he draws upon a wealth of knowledge and experience. I guess all good mechanics are the same, but maybe not. It’s why his race car engines are so successful and he has a history of satisfied customers. It’s a joy to watch and learn.

I just sold a rebuilt engine with an early sand cast case for $24k. It’s definately worth rebuilding yours.

Jugs are back from Wisconsin with new nikisol. (Siri is useless trying to spell it.). Jay confirmed again that the piston to head distance is too close. So, the new JE pistons are at a 3D lathe shop to slightly shave the curve to head distance. Getting close

almost too pretty to put back in

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That should be one snotty engine!

Charlie

rebuilt carbsClick to view attachment

JE Pistons ready. 10.8:1. had to re-shape bevel to match heads Click to view attachment

re-nikasiled jugs to achieve correct toleranceClick to view attachment

pistons going in and jugs onClick to view attachment

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cam housing going on. Loctite 574 doing the sealing. better life through chemistryClick to view attachment

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measure depth of and aligning chain sprockets. new chains
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the intermediate shaft has a specified "play" fore and aft, which is controlled by a shim on the outside of the case. they don't make the shims anymore, at least that we could find. had shims made in 3 different widths. added paper and loctite to achieved required tolerance

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timing the cams took a lot of time. based on Dougherty Racing Cams specs. we were able to use my E cams but they were modified by Dougherty

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PERFECT!!

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lubed cam lobes, added chain tensioners and covers. its together.

Jay's attention to detail is phenomenal. I am very pleased and can't wait to put the rest together and then into car.

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Wow, great progress! Should be an awesome motor.

Jeff B

measuring and adjusting accelerator pump injection volume.

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getting close

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mating with the car starts Saturday

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Mating is the best part looks fantastic!

Anyone have any guidance as to where to mount the crank fired coils? There is not much room in the engine compartment.

Here's mine, works fine...Click to view attachment

I mounted them in the trunk......Clewett system

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ended up fabricating a mount for the direct ignition, on the engine, between the carburetors

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had to get the custom length wires through the tin

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note heat shrink on wire connections and the wire/cylinder numbers at the other ends. trying to make it fool proof for me

then we checked the axles as they had come apart when I removed the engine. Luckily, all the parts were there and in good shape (I found a bearing in the drive way a couple of days after the removal.) one of the boots needs replacement which has caused a delay.

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lubed up

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Looking good

went in yesterday. took time to re-route oil lines to front cooler. probably another day connecting everything and tuning carbs.

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Engine installed last week. Thought we were ready to go. Put gas in and found a leak in the tank. Got a patch brazed on and improved the fuel line routing in the trunk.

Then we found a drop of oil leaking from the intermediate shaft cover plate. Probably due to our metal shim plus paper attempt to seal it. So, out came the engine again. Since it was out, we moved the ignition table forward a couple of inches as it was too close to the rear firewall, which meant a re-fabrication of the support. That, of course, led to moving two power relays and other wiring work. Had to take off the left header to get the left axle and hub back in. I'm becoming an expert at this, which was one of the goals. Hopefully it starts tomorrow.

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wrapping this up. I replaced Webers with PMO. l cannot extoll too much my satisfaction with PMO and Mr. PMO, Richard Parr. He called me a couple of times. He called my mechanic on a Sunday as he was concerned that we were having trouble getting the engine running right. Turns out we needed 50 idle jets, not the 55's originally included. Richard overnighted them and the car was perfect the next day. It screams and really pulls, especially in 3rd gear. It was a 9-month process but I am very happy. Now, I hope to get in some DE/track events before the bad weather arrives.

Installed. Porn. Hate covering them up with the air filters.

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