Well. I know I stuck a fork in this one and called it done, but I guess that that was a bit premature. It all started once I got the motor fired up and put some miles on it. After about 20 miles, I started getting a big pool of oil on the floor from the rear of the engine. I put about 50 on it and it kept getting worse. Mind you, all I had the shop do was replace the pistons, bearings, and gaskets. Pulled the trans, clutch, and flywheel. Pumped a couple pounds of air in the dipstick and soaped the rear main. Sure enough, it was leaking around the crank. Debated on replacing the seal myself, and in hindsite I'm very glad I didn't try it. Since it was just put together and didn't leak previously, I contacted the engine guy. He told me to pull the motor and bring it back. Well, he had it all summer. He couldn't find the leak because it would sit and idle forever with no problem. Once it was ran at 2500 rpm with a load, it was a steady stream. At first he thought it was the pan, so he had me buy a new one along with a new windage tray. Didn't help. Then tried a different seal retainer. Didn't help. He replaced gaskets and had it on the dyno 8 times. He finally bought a supposedly cure all rope seal. Ran it again, called and said he got it, and to come pick it up. He was getting very frustrated and ornery through all of this of course. In the mean time I bought a brand new clutch disc because the first one had got oil on it. Put the motor back in the car and guess what? Still leaks. So I lost a whole summer of driving it, new pan, tray, seal retainer, and clutch disc. In my mind the problem can only be the block or crank. The crank was a new one from the Source kit 7 or so years ago.
At this point, I have had enough and am going to start over from scratch and use what I can from this motor. I have another 400 standard bore block and will buy a new crank. Need to decide if I want to stick with the 451, or go bigger. Oh yeah, I am also done with this local engine builder. I am only doing this motor one more time, so will probably haul it over to the Twin Cities. I did reach out to Dwayne Porter for a recommendation if I should have him port these Source heads or try to find some Trick Flow 240's. Also will go with his recommendation on a cam and rocker setup. Sure wish I was closer to him as he would be building the motor for me....
In the mean time. I have picked up a 18 spline trans from a member here. It looks to be in real nice condition, but I will have my guy go through it anyway. Will go with a dual disc clutch like I have in my Super Bee. Am ordering new 3" TTI exhaust to replace the current 2.5". I am kicking around the idea of using my 2.5" tailpipes however. Just took out the original 8 3/4 and installed a Strange 60 3.54 that I sourced through Cass. Had to get a new driveshaft made, looks to be about an inch shorter. That will be delivered on Tuesday. The Strange 60 must be a tad wider than my old 8 3/4 because I now only have 5/8" clearance from the tire bulge to the inner fender lip. Haven't decided what to do about that yet. I love the look of my Keystones, but the custom shop is down until next summer, so I may have to make a wheel brand change. It just never ends on this car.
