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I wasn't gonna table this, but that wouldn't be fair to FTE guys looking at this thread while planning a build.
The L&L swap header flanges aren't finished very well. In their defense, I think they're really good headers, and they did all the engine swap homework for us. But for over $500, they could have squared up the flanges after welding. The flanges are super nice at 1/2" thick, but the welds were not fully dressed down. With a straight edge on the flanges, I got 3/32" gaps in places. There's no way that flange would seal. The collector flanges are nice and flat though. That's something.
So, I spent two hours meticulously draw filing the welds on one header. The bolt holes had some gasket tearing burrs, so I countersunk them a bit with a cartridge roll. The flange is good and flat now, but you can bet I'll use copper RTV on the header side of the gasket. I'll get on the other header tomorrow.
I picked up the block today from Diamond Racing Engines in Hammond, LA. Shot blasted, bored, honed, square decked, line honed, cam bearings & freeze plugs installed. It looks great. We've been getting rain every day, so I took the Jeep to keep the block dry. As soon as I got home, I got the block brushed out, rinsed, dried, oiled, and on the stand in the shop. I'll paint it later this week.
I called Lunati, and the camshaft I want is actually in stock. Should see it arrive in the next few days. This camshaft is substantially more beef than the one I choose for a 466 ci build. The Trick Flow cylinder heads should be here in two days. And I called Ohio Crankshaft again about a 501 rotating assembly. Scott is checking on the pistons, and is supposed to call me tomorrow.
Now I see what Scrappy does with the stickers Great news on the block. Looking good. If you wouldn't mind could you break down the machine work with individual prices.
Nice Bridgeport I'd love to add one to my shop some day.
Yep, Scrappy's shop safe is high horsepower and very accurate. That Bridgeport is old and a little rough, but it's still tight and accurate. Best part about it is that the PO put a single phase motor on it. I do have a phase converter, which you can see, but it's kinda loud and wouldn't be much fun working right next to it. Converter is wired to the lathe in the next room.
Total was $1460. Clean, inspect, blast $200. Square deck $200. Bore cylinders $250. CNC hone with torque plates $400. Camshaft bearings installed $125. Complete plug kit (freeze plugs installed) $35. Line hone mains $250.
Thanks for the price break down Your motor is going to be a thing of beauty I bought 2 460 motors last fall who had a fleet of 73-79 trucks for his landscaping business. They were professionally rebuilt and on some nice heavy duty stands and been sitting in his shop for 35 years. I took a chance and bought them for $1500.00 with the stands. I tore in to one to determine what I bought and what machine shop work had actually been done because he couldn't find the receipts for the work. So far I've been pleasantly surprised. I'm still planning on taking the block in for a closer inspection.They still had the spread bore factory intakes which are useless to me. I've been stock piling parts and trying to figure out which bracketry to use Serpintine or v-grove etc.
Good score on the bridgeport..
Shoot brother, if one of those blocks is ready to build, and one needs machining, you done good! If both are ready to build, it's party time at Red's house!!!
I've looked at some "serpentine" front dress assemblies. All the ones I've seen aren't really serpentine. They use multiple flat serpentine type belts, but they're routed just like standard V belts. I'm going with a V belt system. And yeah, that ultra heavy spread bore intake manifold that came on my engine is useless. I need to get it gone, cause I'm afraid the world will collapse into it one day.
Speaking of heavy, when I was planning this as a 460 build, and using D0VE iron heads, I figured I'd need new springs on the front of the truck. But now that I'm going with aluminum heads and intake, I doubt this engine will weigh much more than the iron head 400 that's in the truck now. At least not enough to require new springs. We'll see.
Its not cheap but the March Serpentine kit is complete ( well it did not come with a belt ) was super easy to install and no fitment issues at all. I did have to have a new high pressure steering hose made and I dont think I would be able to use my clutch fan. 1 belt runs everything. Very happy with this kit so far.
I think your truck technically will be called a "sleeper".
Yep, sleeper....if it had an automatic transmission. No matter how much power that engine makes, there's still gonna be a T18 and NP205 behind it. Great drivetrain, but not exactly a bang shifter.
I can picture it now. Two guys negotiating next to a pile of beer cans on some back road. "Ok, I'll put the money in the pot. But only if you let me start way back there, so I can get the truck into second gear about 50 yards before the starting line."
Yep, sleeper....if it had an automatic transmission. No matter how much power that engine makes, there's still gonna be a T18 and NP205 behind it. Great drivetrain, but not exactly a bang shifter.
I can picture it now. Two guys negotiating next to a pile of beer cans on some back road. "Ok, I'll put the money in the pot. But only if you let me start way back there, so I can get the truck into second gear about 50 yards before the starting line."
You won't be happy until you put in a Tremec magnum 6 speed!
Ahhh, you're gazing into my deepest thoughts. I have done some daydreaming about this engine's future. I can see the 501 getting pulled from the truck one day, and put into a 2wd vehicle. I'd love to have it in a Galaxie, Fairlane, Falcon, Comet, LTD, Thunderbird, Bumpside, or Dentside. And the whole build would pivot around an American Powertrain Tremec Magnum 6.
Great news on the block. Looking good. If you wouldn't mind could you break down the machine work with individual prices.
I'd love to add one to my shop some day.
I bought 2 460 motors last fall who had a fleet of 73-79 trucks for his landscaping business. They were professionally rebuilt and on some nice heavy duty stands and been sitting in his shop for 35 years. I took a chance and bought them for $1500.00 with the stands. I tore in to one to determine what I bought and what machine shop work had actually been done because he couldn't find the receipts for the work. So far I've been pleasantly surprised. I'm still planning on taking the block in for a closer inspection.They still had the spread bore factory intakes which are useless to me. I've been stock piling parts and trying to figure out which bracketry to use Serpintine or v-grove etc.
