Just did heads on a HAMber's 324 1956 Olds Holiday. Just getting ready to start it. Did the usual things such as guides,surfacing, exh valves, and seats. This car never o/htd during the 20yrs this HAMBer has had it, but we noticed that the heads were warped. guides were way loose and the seats were hammered into the combustion chambers, this was mostly #6 which had a very cracked/burned valve. When we took it apart we noticed that it had some very nice OEM style metal gaskets. They still were in nice condition when removed, we didn't gouge em. When looking for replacements last saturday online, I really couldn't find anything like Fel-Pro or Victor. Best Gaskets are what came up. Their retailers included Egge and Moon, Called Chico on Saturday and ordered them up were there on Monday morning. Looked these gaskets over, Does anyone have any feedback on these. They seemed kinda on the thin side to me. They are 303/324ci gaskets.
It's been a while, but I'm officially back on it. Had to get my '56 roadworthy again, first. I finally got all the parts back from the machine shop. Will start cleaning and assembling the short block here soon. Any advice you guys have for a first timer?
No Dave, it's just a bare block right now. Need to clean it out some more with the pressure washer. But I'd like to wait for a warmer day to do that. Looking forward to Saturday also. Are you going to Berryville on Sunday?
First - CLEAN everything. Twice. Then another time. When you take clean rag through engine it must stay clean. Then you just bolt it together Nice looking block.
Right. My Dad always used to tell me "it can't be clean enough". Also make sure everything is really well pre-lubed. Any place things are touching, lots of lube. Don't forget the wrist pins, rocker shafts and tips of the push rods and valves. Oil the timing chain and lube the distributor gear. Soak the oil pump in a can of oil. Cam and lifters are critical as are the bearings. Get good assembly lube and use the shit out of it. I dip my piston and rod assembly in a can of oil before I install them. Kind of messy but I've never squeaked anything either. It'll smoke a bit when you start it but it never bothered me because I knew the oil came from me using lots of it and it stops pretty quick. Follow the cam grinders break in procedure to the letter and use his recommendation for what pre lube to use on it and the lifters. I've never had a wiped cam lobe but a few friends have and it really sucks. Make sure the crank has the spec'd end play. Oh, yeah, change the oil and filter right after you run the cam in. I'm probably forgetting a few things but you get the idea, clean and slippery. Oh, yeah, have fun, engine assembly is always my favorite part. Kevin
Got the intake and valve covers back from polishing. Thanks Jason, the turned out great! Here is a little teaser for you guys:
Looks great Martin! Nice polish job. Just got my 324 back from Dave50 before the holidays. Tony just shipped my parts and I will start reassembly soon. Got to take some pics as I go. Keep at it, looking real nice.
Thanks guys! Couple questions getting closer to short block assembly: Should I put a light coat of oil underneath the main and rod bearings too? And what should I put on the threads of the main and rod bolts? Anti-seize? Thanks
Been re-tapping all the holes yesterday. What a PITA, but needs to be done. Preparing everything for a short block assembly session on the weekend!
Looks like fun, Martin. I would smear some oil on all machined parts during assembly. This will help things go together and prevent rust. Since you are starting assembly now, there is less chance of moisture this time of year. I always use the copper based anti-seize on bolts that go into the water jacket. This will seal the joint so water won't get into the cylinders.
Will do, Sam. Got my cam timing tool done today. That's the nice thing about working in engineering and having an in house machine shop!
I take my hat for everybody that's doing engine rebuilds for a living, or ever rebuilt an engine for that matter. Everything started out alright yesterday and I was eager to get started on the bottom end assembly. Got the crank back from the machine shop after having to get it re-polished. First I put the cam in - piece of cake. Next, dry install of the crank to get the end play and plastigaged the mains. Then I took the crank back out lubricated the bearings and torqued the mains to spec. So then I started on the pistons. Even though I've done this a long time ago in school, I just couldn't find a good way of doing it. Or maybe a 6 cylinder boxer engine is easier to work with. dunno. First piston was a chore, but after the third I kinda got the hang of it. First half done: Man, I wished this was a little 4 banger Started on the other side, and #4 destroyed my run. The oil ring must have gotten messed up when I put the ring compressor on or whatever. I felt it pretty tight when the piston was in, I wasn't just able to tap it in by hand. So I figured something must be wrong. Took it back out an there it was: At that point (11pm) I just called it a day. But, there is no way of learning things, if you don't try something new. I don't regret the decision to assemble my short block, it'll just take me a little longer
What are you going to be running for a cam? Can you scan the card and post it? Did you get it from Ross Racing? Thanks, Kevin
Yes, I got the cam from Tony, he's a heck of a guy to deal with! Dave, got a buddy help me hone the cylinder bore last night, looks pretty good again. Also got the remaining two pistons in yesterday. It's a V7 right no And installed the timing gear
We've all done it Martin......The ring compressor style your using is not user freindly with a MM ring set...that and you dont do it daily......Ive got thousands of dollars worth of tapered sleeves, in different bore sizes for doing this job, and can still catch one ever now and again. Tony
Looks like it's going good except for that one oil ring. Good thing you cought it. How long before you can get a new ring set?
Sam, Tony said he might be able to send it out to me today... You bet I will, Paul! Thanks. Was working on the cam timing yesterday. Got it at 112° now. My little fixture came in handy: Then I put one head and rocker assembly on, so I could check for push rod length. I'm having a lot of fun doing this. If it wasn't for that one ring, I'd be all excited
Thanks to Tony at Ross Racing Engines, I already have a replacement for the messed up ring. I like their packaging for the single cylinder sets: First thing I put the last piston in. The bore turned out pretty good after re-honing it. Then I put the timing cover and water pump on. Turned the whole thing over and installed the oil pan. Back right side up, and after some more cleaning of the heads, I put them on. Still missing the push rods, but I hope to get them some time next week. Couldn't resist, and put the intake and goodies back on for some pictures... So now I have to go to my local paint store and come up with a selection to get some color on that thing! Thanks for tuning in.
Looking good! Nothing better than nice, clean, freshly machined and/or new parts. I can't wait to start on our 324. Kevin
Thanks guys! I can't believe it. Just a year ago I started having a vision about this build, and it's getting closer and closer to becoming a reality now. Love it! It's time to pick out some paint and hopefully I'll be able to paint it fairly soon. Put in an order for spark plug wires with the hot rod company this morning and will also drop off some parts for powder coating later today. I noticed that I have to file the holes in my intake just a little bit, to get all the holes in the heads to align. Not a big deal since I knew it had to be done, in order to make the Edmunds work on the 324. That's about it for now. Stay tuned.
Feels good just seeing the stuff on the engine doesn't it? Even if not attached yet. Right on, looking good.
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