R/T re-do

[sixpkrt]

Can't believe it's been more than six years since I last posted on FBBO. Time sure fly's as you get older.
Been spending most my time over on FCBO, posting and doing some build threads. Also been putting on the annual C Body Show at Volo since 2017. The big Mopars may not be for everyone, but I'm glad to say that those big ole' C bodies are starting to get the recognition they deserve.
Those are the cruisers....but this is the driver.....

This summer I was out hot rodding around and heard something break, and before shutting down the engine immediately, I heard a noise like a tin can bouncing around inside the engine. Oh-no! was my first thought! Never heard anything like it before.
It's been 12 years since the last rebuild, and the engine was beginning to feel and look tired, so the decision was made to pull it apart to find out what happened, and then to freshen up the engine with some new go-fast goodies.
I know the R/T's are a rare bird and some would only want to trailer them from show to show, but this R/T is a driver, and that's the way they it has always been meant to be for me.
So, with the cold weather going to be on its way soon around here, the timing is good to start a new project. 

After pulling the engine/trans, found the culprit from the best I can tell. One of the clips in a lifter in #3 had broken loose. It didn't appear like it caused any damage to the .501 cam, but it will be getting a new cam and set of lifters as part of the rebuild that is planned.

While the engine is out, it'll be a good time to paint the engine bay, get some new hoses, and fix some electrical bugs that has been put off for some time.
It's just more work, but why not?

One small cosmetic detail that already is done, was gluing the grill insert back together where it had split from the inner surround section.
New parts have started to arrive over the last couple days, and more will be arriving over the next week or so. There seems to be a lot of items on back order from various vendor outlets.
I'll keep this thread going throughout the rebuild and may ask for some advice time to time. Hope to not be gone for another 6 years from FBBO.

 

[64Orange]

Welcome back to FBBO. What a sweet ride. Good luck with the rebuild

 

[Jerry Hall]

Welcome back also, that's a sweet R/T and driver. The best to you on the rebuild.

 

[ckessel]

Welcome and good luck. Great idea to take care of other tasks while that big lump is out.

 

[Dave6T4]

Did you have a bent push rod to go with that?

 

[sixpkrt]

Did you have a bent push rod to go with that?

Must have had some luck on my side. No bent push rods.

Some parts started to arrive while I begin working on prepping the engine bay for paint and cleaning up parts.
My wiring needs some help.

 

[sixpkrt]

Picked up a few parts from the powder coater yesterday.

Mahle connecting rod bearings will be used this time around.

 

[sixpkrt]

Last night I got the connecting rod bearings installed and torqued, put the pickup tube back in and then new Comp cam.
Today its the timing gear. Decided to advance the cam to .03 for better low-end torque.

 

[69ChargerR/TSE]

Very Nice R/T! Make sure you test your thermostat! I had one that didn't work, I suggest a Stant 370-180.

 

[sixpkrt]

Will do. It's the same thermostat I used in the engine on the last rebuild

 

[Dave6T4]

If you drill a 3/16" hole in your thermostat, you won't get air pockets in your block when refilling with coolant. Won't affect operation of thermostat.

 

[69ChargerR/TSE]

Will do. It's the same thermostat I used in the engine on the last rebuild

I went to a stant, because I had 2 test bad, that are the same brand as yours.

 

[sixpkrt]

Good to know.
Last rebuild on this engine was 12 years ago.
We all know how parts have gotten worse because of cheap labor and parts suppliers consolidation.

 

[sixpkrt]

Quite a bit of work has been done on the R/T since I last posted here. Any parts that were being reused took a bath in the sonic cleaner, like the Melling HV oil pump seen here.

This ugly engine bay was seen before paint. And those plastic chebby wire looms have got to go this time around.

Some before and after engine pics.

I also replaced the steering column after purchasing the rebuilt unit from a member here.

Happy with the compression numbers reading between 160 & 165.

Just replaced the master cylinder, and the new rachet shifter will go in as soon as the weather gets a little better.
The engine compression numbers reading between 160 & 165. I'm good with those numbers.
Dressing up the engine bay. No more plastic wire looms.

 

[ckessel]

Seeing the picture of your "timing chain" reminds me of, during the late 70's my friend telling people that the whining noise from the Jackson Gear Drive in his Chevy, was from a bad alternator bearing. Got a lot of confused looks from that.

 

[sixpkrt]

I'll admit, the gear drive cam sound is an acquired taste, and the sound is unmistakable. But when some people hear it with the .545 cam some people are gonna ask "where's the super charger".