After some tinkering with the hemi's valve train (adjustable rockers and solid pushrods now), putting new o-rings in the block, and putting it all back together I finally fired her back up for the first time yesterday. HHmmmm breath in that nice alcohol exhaust!!! The engine is running good and sounds strong but... there's now a pretty good leak from the pump area of the TH350. :-/ Not a stream but a pretty serious and consistant drip. Anybody wanna take a guess as to what I'll find when I pull the engine tonight?
I agree. I did have one popped about half way out once, all I did was tap it back in and stake it but I still had to do the labor. I should have staked it when I put it together and I knew it at the time. I still feel kind of dumb about that.
Color me surprised. The pump and seal are fine. The torque converter has an adapter plate on it that is held on with three countersunk bolts. They had backed out allowing the converter to wobble. The surfaces are cleaned up and it's back together with plenty of red locktite. I'm on call so I have to call it quits for the evening in case the pager goes off. Travis and I will put her back together tomorrow. I'm not sure if I'm ready for the big time but I had the engine out in about 45 minutes.
So the holes and countersinks survived ok? Maybe run it as long as it took to loosen them the first time, and then pull the engine again to see how they are doing?
I'll get some video for you doubters. ;-) Gonna have to put it all back together first so give me a couple of days.
The Jalopy Journal
