Well, I've reached what I consider a milestone. My block, heads and crank come home from the machine shop next week, after 28 months, its ready. (Of course all the while I reminded my machinist there is no hurry). I'm looking forward to giving the grinder, welder and the body work stuff a rest for a while.
<O</O
Time to build the engine. <O</O
Should turn out pretty well.<O</O
289 cid .20 over<O</O
flat top pistons<O</O
rv cam<O</O
new valves, springs and rockers<O</O
HV oil pump, ect. ect.<O</O

I'm really excited about putin her together and painting her up nice. <O</O

 

The engine build is probably the fondest memory I have of putting my '53 together. I loved it. Have fun!

 

Congrats on gettin it home. Good luck with it!

I'm in the middle of telling my machinist that "I'm not in a big hurry" - so I keep getting the "it should be done in a week or so" back from him. So far I am not concerned...

 

I have a tendency to tell my machine shop, "no hurry", also. Never been disappointed, usually is slow, but the price is right, and so is the work.

As the saying goes, "There are three ways of getting things done - quick, cheap, and good...if you want it quick and good, it won't be cheap. If you want it cheap and good, it won't be quick. And if you want it cheap and quick, it most certainly won't be good!"

R

 

Roger,

I once saw a sign with the same theme. It was made like a diner menu:



I have found in the 10+ years I have run my own business that is how it actually works.

 

Thats pretty much the way I was thinking, and he really could take another year and I'm sure it wouldn't affect my finish date at all. all the engine mock up was done before I even took the engine to him.

 

Most of the people I deal with usually tell me about how long a job will take and if they are snowed under. Usually don't have any problems, but it is so easy to say "I am not in a rush, just take your time" even if we are in a rush to get a job done. I like to be as nice as possible even though sometimes they are not.

 

I took my engine to a local guy who does a lot of work for race cars. He said he was swamped and I said no problem, I'm not in a hurry. I stopped back a month later and the engine was in the same spot I left it. We talked, he was swamped, and I said no problem. I stopped back in another month and the engine had been moved, but he was still swamped, but said that in a couple weeks the racing season should slow down and he would get to it. I said no problem, I'm working on my running boards. I stopped back a month later.....
and another month,
and then after Christmas.
and then last week he said... I'm finally working on some of my back log, should get to yours pretty soon. I said no problem, I'm gonna be really busy at my job and won't really need the engine till June. He said no problem, he could have it by then.......

 

Now I know I did it wrong. You guys all talk about how you had to wait for the engine to be done. I had my engine rebuilt and it has sat waiting for the truck for 2 years now.

Maybe this year.....

 

I told my building contractor "no hurry" and he just simply never finished. Food for thought.

 

I alwys have the feeling if I push someone for quick turnaround that I will get a crappy job...so you say "no hurry". Then when it takes forever your feeling turn to..." that *#!@*s.o.b. is sure taking his time!
It took a year to get my trans rebuilt...and it was removed and dropped off.
So my question is, is it better to leave the part needed for repair in the vehicle so they vehicle is in the repair shops way?!?
i dont know...I deal with good folk, so i guess the wait is worth it.
I hope your enging build up turns out great...post a pic or two.
later, Ed

 

Ed - what kind of tranny was it that took a year to build??

R

 

Awesome. I remember having a shop do the engine in my 1990 Beretta GTZ. Every one wanted a couple grand to rebuild the top end. The shop had the car for almost two years, and charged no labor, only the $250 for parts, including the head machine work. I payed them back by recommending them to most of my tow customers. When you have the patience, and have a good shop to work with, it ends up being a good experience in the end, and the wait is worth it. Have fun building the motor. Don't forget the assembly lube, and be sure to check and recheck everything as you go. I am advantaged as my employer builds professional race engines, and I gotta say, taking your time, and paying very close attention to detail is very crutial to building even a stock motor. Oh, the new rumor in the industry too, Do not use 30W oil for break in. They are recommending 10W/40, or 15W/40 as the feds restrictions have depleated the thinner oils lubricity for breaking in motors.

 

R, If I have the right #'s right it is a HEF AT 023454 1964 Ford 3-speed.
I got it off e-bay for $1.00 (ONE $)....the seller was dishonest, charged for crate fee and just put a label on the case...I think it just wasnt in the way at the repair shop so it took a while to get around to it. I have used the same shop for all my trans needs since I was 19 yrs. old.
I also still have the stock '54 and another '57 3-spd. trans under the bench in the garage.
Ed

 

I rebuilt my engine in 1995. This might be the year it gets in the truck!