Salvaged fresh from the trees, now what?

[Fordum]

The epoxy interior painting? Is it worth it?

Couple of points.
Anyone who ever sees the inside are not going to be looking to see how pretty it is.
Not much chance of it rusting since its constantly getting splashed with oil.

Plus, if it doesn't stick and starts peeling off a year or so from now, it goes straight into your oil and elsewhere.
I wouldn't want paint chips getting sucked into my oil pump.

 

[brockmub]

I know that no one will see it and it's generally for more high performance applications. I heard that it helped dissipate heat and aid oil flow. I probably will not be doing it but wondered if anyone had ever tried it.

 

[RootBreaker]

Thats an idea........Ford blue. That way you get good looks and maybe some extra reliability..................

that is why I rolled my truck with oil based tractor paint.. FORD BLUE.. to look perdy.. but go the GM GUTS FOR THE RUTS!!!!

 

[brockmub]

Ooops

Started putting the crank in and torque the bolts. Then *snap*... broke my 3/8 Torque wrench! Has anyone else ever done that? I thought there would be a Craftsman lifetime warranty on something like that, but since it has movable parts there is only a year.

So had to break down and decided to upgrade just a bit. Just got a longer 1/2 in drive.

Is there anything I should be cautious of as I put the motor together?

 

[Fordum]

Is there anything I should be cautious of as I put the motor together?

Well, not buying anymore Craftsman stuff sounds like a good idea......

But what is this about moving parts???

Last time I checked, all my ratchets had moving parts and they have always warranted them.

I have always thought that their screwdrivers were beyond cr*ppy, but kinda liked their wrenches, and have had them stand up to stuff way beyond what they should have.
And when they did fail, they replaced them no questions. Even when it was obvious it had been abused.

As far as other things to watch out for, there are so many little ones, its hard to say.
The proper use of assembly lube, and making sure the bolt threads are clean and all the holes are chased with a tap before torquing them down.

And, of course, double check your torque specs. I mean, if you are snapping torque wrenches..........

 

[Chevy305]

make sure you plastigauge all your oil clearances on your main and rod bearings for assembly reference and in case you need to dissasemble the motor down the road you will have a reference.

 

[brockmub]

Pistons!!!

I installed the pistons last night. It. Took. Forever.

Tip #1 - When the shop manual says to do something a certain way. Do it.

Tip #2 - If you think you have a faster way to do something than what the shop manual says... you're wrong. I didn't have any rubber hose to put over the bolts to protect the crank and instead used my own method. I'm not going to tell you how because it was dumb and added probably a 1/2 hour to the job.

Tip #3 - Make sure you have a good ring compressor. The one I was borrowing was slightly worn and would loosen at critical times. Again, that added at least a 1/2 hour to the job.

Tip #4 - use the smallest flat screw driver you can find to offset the oil rings

Tip #5 - When it comes time to look for an engine stand, buy the nicest one you can get. Perhaps one that has a geared crank for rotating the engine. My shoulders are so sore from rotating the engine on my shi.... crappy Chinese stand.

By the 8th piston, I was pretty good at getting the pistons installed and who knows, I might have to tear the whole thing apart again.

Bonus tip - When you do a project like this, make sure you have a dedicated space to work and spread parts out. If/when I do this again, I will make sure I have a good work bench, clean area, tool chest, plenty of light, and no interruptions. Instead I have the typical suburban garage that has to house both cars, kids bike, and horrible lighting. I might even put together a thread over at garagejournal.com.

 

[Slapperbar]

In regards to the bonus tip, whatever fixtures you have, put the biggest baddest FULL SPECTRUM/ DAY LIGHT CFL or fluorescent bulb you can find in, ask Ryoken what a difference they make.