I am sooooo happy. I spent 4 hours at the shop today, and Rob and I got a lot accomplished. It's so purdy!

Only some of the pics stayed on the memory card, though. I know I took pics of the piston installation (one I KNOW is missing), and several others, like pressing in the wrist pins.

EDIT: LINK to the teardown of the engine. And yes, eb, the machine shop cussed us out for the scotchbrite pad!

So, here is where I stand.

With the block and heads prepped, we started with the crankshaft installation. We used PLENTY of assembly lube, and made a total mess (better safe than sorry).


We torqued the main bearing caps to spec:


Then we checked the end play:



We then pressed in the wrist pins, and installed the pistons. Too bad these pics did not come out. We torqued the rod bearing caps to spec, poured some oil in the bottom side of the cylinders, installed the oil pickup, and then loosely installed the oil pan. The timing set was then installed on the front of the engine:



We then installed the timing cover, water pump, and oil pump. The engine was ready for the head:



Here is the head with engnbldr's oversize valves installed:



With the head installed, and the bolts torqued down in three stages to 58?ft lbs, we decided to call it a day:




Now, with all this purdyness achieved in 4 hours, I need some advice... Could you see installing this old exhaust manifold on the renewed block???



How do I convince the wife to let me get a header in the next week?

Actually, we are going to sandblast the exhaust manifold before installation. Maybe then it will at least look presentable!

So, whadday'all think? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Now, you know why I only have About $150 to spend on his gifts. The rest went to the engine rebuild. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/nana.gif" alt="" />

And did you see, that he wants you to convince me to get a new manifold. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />

Maybe that could be his christmas present. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Looks great But it looks to me That the exhust manifold is cracked yep i am sure of it <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />and you dont want that Cracked manifold to burn up your new valves do you Snoopy you have to look harder I see it just ask Dirt he will show you <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Snoop, step up and get the poor garage boy the ceramic headers, I am sure he would show his appreciation...
but why stop there??? A stainless exhaust would put him in nirvana...

Looks great! The attention to little details will pay off in the long run. I kinda thought that shot of the bottom of the head looked kinda familiar...wait until you feel the difference. Insta-bone! lol Watch out Snoop!! Anyways- looks great and for 4 hours you got alot accomplished. On the exhuast manifold issue, I would have to disagree and guess that crack <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> y'all are noticing is the shadow Im seeing...or an eyelash hanging in front of your eyes. Im a believer in the stock manifold, provides plenty of flow for me. Although a header may come along in the future...Im happy for now. Cool thing is I got the approval for the pipes last year and it dont expire!
Be proud my brother from another mother- excellent work so far.
~Darin <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

You are so right, I checked the picture. And I also could not find a crack. I even enlarged the picture, all what I saw was some dirt. Which can be cleaned. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Finally someone on my side. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Snoop, You are right, there's no crack... from the looks of the project, DD does good work and wouldn't use a bad part.. I was just trying to give you some leverage for when he starts on your 4Runner. From the pictures there will be a line of wheeler's wanting him to do their engines... looks good.

>>>*Man, check out the bores! Hey, tell your machine shop guy he gets two bonus brownie points from me, I likes that! Every bit as good as I can do and I am prejudiced and think I am the best there is....*LOL**..
I see guys all the time putting my brand new parts in on sloppy machine work, so it tickles me pink to see good work!

*Fire her up!...*EB

And he was a cussin about the scotch brite pad... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />
Just did my research and found the best machinist in the region.

Can't fire her up just yet... Gotta wait until I go on vacation on Friday to finish it up, and then drop her in on Saturday.

BTW... For everyone else. The specs on the build are:

EB Cam
EB High Volume oil pump
EB 0.040 over pistons
EB Steel Rail timing set
EB Oversized Valves
EB Head Blots
EB Timing Cover
EB Master engine kit was used with a *few* substitutions (above)...
Lots of Hi-Temp Paint (duh)

I can't wait to hit the key! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

hey u've spent lots why stop there? go for LCE;'s header and u will like it.. that one hech of a good job i just dropped a 351 wins.. in my buddies bronco it rocks.

john