Datz Purdy! So how does it run?

 

I'm taking it easy for the most part. There is a little bit "sewing machine" chatter in the rockers that I'd like to eliminate if possible.

52 lbs cold to 25+ hot (210*-220*) oil pressure at idle.

Idles hot at 750 with a bit of a lope/bump which may mean I need some new wires.

Plugs are tan last I looked.

Vacuum is 17.5-18 inches hot or cold.

The couple of times I've dropped the hammer it really eats, but when it hits somewhere tween 2800-3200 the after-burner kicks in & its impressive as hell.

I'd really love to get it on a dyno.

 

Cool. Does it keep making power beyond 4500rpm or have you pushed it yet? I realize it's not broken in yet.

 

Don't know. I've backed off at 80-85 both times & it was still pulling hard.

Before the build, when I got the computer straightened out & before the flex plate started rattling, just the built trans alone felt like 50 hp. And it was pretty quick with just shorty headers, Y, 3" inch exhaust, fan & air pump delete before that.

Now, 100+ total easy. It feels as quick or quicker than my basically stock Fox.

One thing that surprises hell out of me is it is good 10-20 decibels louder. I think I'm going to have to go over the axle to tone it down just a hair.

 

Oh yes... more cam equals more noise.

 

Nice build. In regard to your sewing machine valvetrain, what was your lifter preload? .030?

 

Thanks.

Its fairly quiet when cold, noisier hot.

All in all, I wish I had just had the heads machined for adjustable rockers.

I think the cost would be off set especially if I have to go back with another set of push rods.

The basics from post #13:

 

I read that, I just wasn't sure if anything changed since then (if you're a wrencher, you know what I'm saying), I bought a truck a while back that someone put 1.7 rockers on, and it was noisy...took it apart to find there was virtually 0 preload. I like to set them ~.040ish, I have .042 on my 97 that I just finished with no sewing machine to speak of. I think the more aggressive ramp rate (our low duration high lift cams actually have an aggressive ramp rate) work better with higher preload.

 

I have really enjoyed this thread, great work! Out of curiosity did you have to do any clearance work on the baffles in the Ford Racing valve covers to accommodate the rockers?

 

Yeah, 1 small change. I'll get back on that, would like the group's thoughts.

 

Thank you. Absolutely none.

 

Sweet build! Nice write up also! very informative. After shes broken in, dyno results would be cool to see!

 

Update:

Things get in the way. Life, health, civics, cash, stuff...

Couple of bugs that have kept me from racking up miles. Have been pulling it out of the garage & driving a few miles to operating temp or as occasional need to be a truck, but not a lot.

Back before I wrecked the bearings, I noticed a popping noise in the cooling system when pretty warm.

After the rebuild, the popping came back. I went through a couple t-stats & had the radiator rodded & tanked which lessened the popping but didn't eliminate it.

General consensus is that its water flow overcoming the t-stat spring.

This past weekend got the motivation to try a fix which was the removal of a disc on the impeller of my hi-flo waterpump. (the thing that makes it hi-flo)



Was a lot of rust build up behind the disc that I guess increased the pressure.

Popping is gone & it runs cooler now that the coolant can stick around longer in the block to absorb heat & longer in the radiator to get rid of it.

Doesn't get past "R" on the factory gauge & 202*-203* on the mechanical.

Haven't even run the fan on high on a 94* day.

The other thing is the sewing machine noise from the valve train.

Back in February I pulled all the rockers & went back with the stock Ford rocker channels (that hold pedestal in line) that are a couple thousands thicker than the Crane parts & it SEEMED like the noise lessened & got a half pound additional vac... maybe.

So now that I got dead nuts cooling, I took it to visit my replacement machinist.

He said drive it. "quietest roller rockers he's ever heard... and after a lap around the block...put a converter in it"

Looks like it'll be going to Cruisin' the Coast in Oct.

Might try & put together a LS rear for no-mo peg-leg & twin black stripes.

 

Great thread, great build, Cheers!!!

 

Thanks. Whole lots of projects to take on now.

Limited slip, traction bars?

I gots' pieces/parts enough to do a mass air if the ECU I have is good.

Little bit of lowering would be nice.

Really would like to visit a dyno to establish some base line output.


Edit 10-11-17, Dyno was done, results here:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...os-at-ctc.html