okay long needed update, got the shift kit installed in the th400 and actually dug into it pretty far, the kit came with a new HD snap ring to install in the case and also new springs to go inside the direct clutch. So i had that mostly apart and it looked good inside. Installed the new seperator plate and all that jazz with the check balls and a couple other various things. Went for the stage 2 which was not that much different that stage 1 (rv/towing) so i am not worried about it banging itself to pieces. After the reassembly i replaced the filter while i was in there and a new pan gasket, then i primed and painted the outside with aluminum colored paint, it looks like a new trans!
Also have grinded/primed/painted my 56" rear leaf springs, and they should be getting bolted back together in the next couple days.
And finally, the engine build has begun. I will be boring out my 2 bolt 400 block to make it a 406, i have aluminum heads for it and a scat rotating assembly, forged rods and pistons, crank is cast, not going crazy on the cam but it will be around .480-.500" of lift, but geared for lower rpms obviously. Pistons are ordered and showed up the other day, talked to an engine shop and instead of buying a assembly with their pistons i got my own pistons but they are going to balanced the whole assembly as i have weighed the pistons, and that should be getting ordered this week. All the small stuff i already have, cam bearings, core plugs, pushrods, rockers, lifters etc. So all that is left is to finalize a cam and get that ordered.
So it begins!
My goal is to get one point of horsepower for every cubic inch, but judging by the nature of these blocks and some other builds close to mine that i have looked at, i will be easily over 400 horse and torque should be well into the 400s. So i will update on that as i go.
Next up other than the engine, is bringing the transfer case inside to paint and get those springs back together and ready. Only a few more weeks and i should be able to be back outside working! My goal is to have it on the road at the end of may, have a little slack there obviously.