Yankee Express RestoMod Project

[Brandy]

Assembly day. Installed the cam, crank ( again), timing set, crank and cam bolts, pistons and rod bearing. All torqued down, and also the oil pickup. Long day. This M**cker is TIGHT! need a 4 foot cheater bar to turn the bitch once everything was in it and snugged down. I was worried and so called up RPM Racing Engines and asked them about it. He said, " That motor is going to be a beast. The 440's are supposed to be snug, the rear end of the cam especially. As long as it turns without hanging up it's fine." It does but it takes some UMMPF! to turn it. Will clean up work bench tomorrow, oil and lube and paper towels everywhere...lol.

Piston rings and lunch...

 

[Brandy]

more....

 

[Budnicks]

My wife has spoken. The car will be turquoise blue. ...and shiny.....lol. Sigh, here I go again..

LL1
I suggest... Surf Turquoise Metalic Poly

 

[Brandy]

I picked an Eastwood color.

 

[Brandy]

Got the Ram back from the paint shop. Looks good. Getting the engine assembled bit by bit.

 

[Brandy]

Mock up to see what it'll look like together...

Need to repaint the valve covers and figure out how to polish up this aluminum Weiand manifold..

 

[Brandy]

 

[Hey-O]

Looking good buddy!! I'm so glad you didn't get rid of your rolling artwork. I've built a few cars and It's pretty easy when A bolts to B, so on and so on. Building a car that has a master plan in your head and making things fit and work things out that were never meant to be is a talent all by itself. My last car was a nightmare for people to understand when all those parts that took up over one bay in my garage looked like a pile of junk getting ready to go out the door for the trash man. This may sound stupid and mean nothing coming from me, but, you my friend have my respect and I'm honored to watch it come together. Let The Horses Run!!

 

[Brandy]

Looking good buddy!! I'm so glad you didn't get rid of your rolling artwork. I've built a few cars and It's pretty easy when A bolts to B, so on and so on. Building a car that has a master plan in your head and making things fit and work things out that were never meant to be is a talent all by itself. My last car was a nightmare for people to understand when all those parts that took up over one bay in my garage looked like a pile of junk getting ready to go out the door for the trash man. This may sound stupid and mean nothing coming from me, but, you my friend have my respect and I'm honored to watch it come together. Let The Horses Run!!

Not at all, my friend. It means everything to me to have anyone enjoy what I'm trying to create. Your respect is a badge of honor as far as i'm concerned pal. I too am glad I didn't stop the fun. It's slower going now but just as exciting.

 

[Budnicks]

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Engine is looking good Ghost

 

[Hey-O]

It's slower going now but just as exciting.

It's slower now because you're cresting the top and will soon be on your way down the other side to the finish line, been there!!

 

[HawkRod]

Looking good buddy!! I'm so glad you didn't get rid of your rolling artwork. I've built a few cars and It's pretty easy when A bolts to B, so on and so on. Building a car that has a master plan in your head and making things fit and work things out that were never meant to be is a talent all by itself. My last car was a nightmare for people to understand when all those parts that took up over one bay in my garage looked like a pile of junk getting ready to go out the door for the trash man. This may sound stupid and mean nothing coming from me, but, you my friend have my respect and I'm honored to watch it come together. Let The Horses Run!!

Well said - and I'm right with you Hey-O.

I'm likely not as talented, nor do I probably have the balls to do what Ghost is doing, so my car is fully stock looking. But it's great fun watching this build and the various ideas come together. Whether I personally like any individual piece or design element is immaterial - I love the whole concept of making something very different and unique that is a signature of the builder/owner. I think the car will be super cool when done.

Well done Ghost and keep at it!

Hawk

 

[Brandy]

Well said - and I'm right with you Hey-O.

I'm likely not as talented, nor do I probably have the balls to do what Ghost is doing, so my car is fully stock looking. But it's great fun watching this build and the various ideas come together. Whether I personally like any individual piece or design element is immaterial - I love the whole concept of making something very different and unique that is a signature of the builder/owner. I think the car will be super cool when done.

Well done Ghost and keep at it!

Hawk

Thanks Hawk. Means a lot pal.

 

[Brandy]

Got the valve seal driver tool in the mail today. Finished installing the Viton seals and then the dual springs, Titanium retainers and 10* locks. Bolted the head onto the block and torqued it down. Cleaned up a valve cover, sanded, primered, and painted it in VHT Wrinkle Black high temp. Set it on my tail gate in the sun to dry and crinkle up.

 

[Brandy]

Once I get the new pushrods and install the rockers I can button it up after running the oil pump to prelube everything.

 

[Hey-O]

Looks fantastic!!

 

[Brandy]

 

[Brandy]

Finished detailing the valve cover, using a razor blade to uncover the tips of each fin surface and sanding them down with 320 grit. Fabbed up a test bracket for mounting the coil to the right rear of the intake. Need to get a hunk of thicker metal to make it out of.

 

[Brandy]

Valve cover #2 on the drying tailgate...lol.

 

[Brandy]

The #2 valve cover done.