Thunda Babe

[Bob Vic]

Looks impressive - hope that you know where all the bits go.

[WoodRay]

Looks impressive - hope that you know where all the bits go.

I still have some marbles left Bob so hopefully there wont be any bits left over................hopefully!

It was a long testing day today. I spent hours dressing down the rocker posts so I could centralise each rock over the top of the valve tip. That also entailed re-machining the spacer tubes. I eventually managed .020" side clearance on the exh rockers and .015" on the inlets. Each measurement taken and then machining or dressing of parts needed the rocker assembly stripped down then reassembled on the head. I think I did that no less than 20 times before I could finally fit the head to the block.

[Bob Vic]

Good work Craig. You've got way more patience than me. Still what else are we allowed to do ATM.

[WoodRay]

Some progress today with the exhaust valve rocker system all done and checked on the engine. The inlet side is proving difficult due to the change in rocker geometry and the now larger dimensions of the new rockers and pushrods. Further work tomorrow with checking and increasing push rod clearances in the head. It's slow going but it's getting closer.
As usual it pays to check and recheck. Another clean and inspection after some grinding work revealed issues where the valve guides have been belted into the head ruthlessly and the protruding casting in the exhaust port has fractured. If a similar casting had given way in the inlet port it would no doubt have damaged the engine. It's reminder too that I'm dealing with a 60 year old cylinder head. All casting flash has been dressed and any potential weakened areas checked.

241525477_1357455107985511_3233123740239121015_n.jpg (40.38 KiB) Viewed 4121 times

241451748_442423290345846_4510700624906470963_n.jpg (50.81 KiB) Viewed 4121 times

[WoodRay]

Struck trouble today with grinding into one of the inlet port runners due to needing more pushrod clearance. Ended up having to knock up a brass sleeve and pressed it into the pushrod bore. Sealed it with Loctite wick in so should be good. That is the last modification job done. Tomorrow is assembly day so I should be turning the key pretty soon.

241459381_361248305654721_922164809559092141_n.jpg (155.54 KiB) Viewed 4087 times

[Bob Vic]

So close.....

[WoodRay]

So close.....

All going well Bob I will turn the key sometime tomorrow. I probably won't sleep much tonight.

[WoodRay]

Didn't quite make it today. Still a few little bits to go. Looks like tomorrow now. Engine lube system primed and checked oil to the rockers as I have made up an external full flow supply with an adjustable needle valve. Fuel system primed and checked for leaks too.

[Bob Vic]

Looking great. If the wind tomorrow is from the werst, I'll keep an ear out for your start up. Good luck.

[WoodRay]

Well it's been a few days of ironing out some bugs, last of which was a misfire, come backfire, come crossfire issue which popped up after I altered the timing. Turned out the rotor phasing was a fair bit out. With all that done I'm hitting the water tomorrow for some testing and further tuning.