LOL...
I've always learned more from my mistakes than anything...
I've always learned more from my mistakes than anything...
"Good judgement comes from experience and experience? ... well, that comes from BAD judgement", Ben FranklinLOL...
I've always learned more from my mistakes than anything...![]()
Sombody make the circus clown music stop!
It is really just the small things in life. I thought I would be able to throw this thing together with no issues and so I did not pay to have it short blocked at the machine shop.
First it was hanging the pistons, I did not clearance them correctly the first go and had to take them appart and do that. I thought the spirolocs sucked putting them on. Taking them back off was not as much fun as putting them on. (I could hear something, but was not for sure what it was.)
After talking with an engine builder about my setup it was decided I needed to buy another intake. The one I had bought was probably not the best decision for my application. (That noise is a little louder but I still can't tell what it is.)
I short blocked it this weekend, and had a few more issues. I checked tolerances on everything and decided it was good to go. While putting in the 7th piston I realized the rotating assembly would not turn. I could not figure it out, I had to call it a night and go to bed wishing I had bought some beer to help get this job done. When I got up the next morning to figure this issue out it was absolutely obvious. Half the pistons were hung with the rods pointing the wrong way. You know, all exactly the same. (and from that point on I could not make the circus music stop, you know the music that follows the clown around) I had never even thought of that. SCJ pistons have to be put in a certain way and so do the rods. I am now a spiroloc put in and take out speed champ. Can't believe I did not screw one up, and won't be supprised if one fails. The pistons are all in the right direction and the rotating assembly turns as it should with no apparent issues from my mishap.
One of the final mishaps of the shortblock was as I was putting the fuel pump drive on. I had that jigger covered with assembly lube (you know I put that stuff on everything) and somehow managed to drop it. Even better the two pieces came apart and one roled into a pile of, under the lawn mower, stuff. Just ruined another rag to clean that off and start over.
I guess my point of posting this is just to let those novices that are thinking of putting there own build together know some crap you never thought of is gonna happen. Even if you have done one or a couple different kind of motors in the past.
I can tell you one thing when this thing does fire and run, I will be grinning ear to ear. Even if it does not run as well as it "should".
For some of us it's not awlays about trying to save money as much as it's learning new things. I'm on the bottom side of the learning curve and while it is sometimes very frustrating and sometimes expensiveThat is the exactly why I have come to realize I would rather pay someone else to put the short-blocks together, cheap insurance if they garauntee the work. If I put it together and make a mistake I pay for it, if I pay someone to do it and they screw it up they pay for it.
X2 I would rather try and fail than never have tried. That is how I learn by trial and error. Always learn from failures no matter how small.For some of us it's not awlays about trying to save money as much as it's learning new things. I'm on the bottom side of the learning curve and while it is sometimes very frustrating and sometimes expensiveI really enjoy it!!!
LOL, that's funny, LOL, almost to funny.I've been building motors for over 50 years and have NEVER made a misteake.
Just think of the parts you could have bought w/money you wasted on CHILTON manuals,they will screw you up more than they will help you.Maybe shoulda' spent the clown school $ on a book about engine rebuilding.
I rebuilt my first engine a '70 dodge 318 for my challenger. I spent my allowance on a chilton's auto repair for 1960-71 american autos. It contained a section on basic engine rebuilding. The new books also have this section.
If you plan to do this more in the future, buy the books. I have probally 30 maunals in my garage, some for brands I don't even own.
For the money you spend on books, it will save you 2-4 times the price in mistakes.
The best advice I can offer is---Take your time. Plan the build. Use the proper reference material. And double check everything!
MikeH