Jordan's '68 1600 build thread

[Mainer311]

It shields the alternator from the manifold heat. Funny, my engine mount on that side looks good, but the passenger side is toast.

[Roman]

If I don't need the smog bracket, I'm just going to leave it off,

You could use it as an alternator bracket if you move the alt to the passenger side.
This has 2 benefits, one being locating the alt to the "cool" side of the motor
Two, much easier to get to if needed.

[68DSU]

Here are a couple of pictures of the sheet metal thing. I'm not sure what it does or why it is shaped like that.
The down side to taking these pictures is that I see how dirty my engine really is.

[Roman]

The shape is designed to keep heat off of the alternator, the longer thinner part is to keep heat off of your oil pan gasket.

[Mainer311]

Got my second huge shipment from Dean with everything I needed to completely rebuild the engine. I didn't have a whole lot of time over the holiday weekend, but I did get some stuff accomplished. I first needed to finish a DVD rack for my girlfriend, and then hopped over to the engine afterwards. I got the new freeze plugs in, the cam and crank in, the front timing components along with the front cover, all the rods/pistons/rings and the oil pump in.

[Mainer311]

The engine is completely put back together. I cleaned up the carbs and installed the manifold and header, but I didn't take pictures that are that recent. I trucked the transmission back down to MA with me to work on after work during the week, so I can truck it back to ME when it's done.

I figured out my weird "early water pump on a late 1600" problem. It seems that the water pump crapped out sometime in the past and was replaced by a PO. They stuck the wrong pump on it, and to solve the problem about it being longer, flipped the double pulley around backwards and elongated the holes. That means you can't perfectly center the fan or pulley on the water pump flange. Once I get some measurements, I'm going to make an adapter at work that will make the pulley concentric to the pump shaft.

The other problem I found is that the header is just barely touching the side of the block/oil pan. I thought the manifold gasket would push it out more, but it didn't. Any thoughts?

Here's some eye candy:

I found this brand new FRAM oil filter kicking around that my dad had. It fit, but I'm just leaving it on there to keep debris from getting into the housing. I'll be buying a better one and installing after the initial break-in.


Brand new water pump, and I polished up the front cover a bit. I'll need new fuel filters too.


With the car:

[spl310]

If you are using the spacer and later lower pulley, you should have a late water pump. The early is for the flat crank pulley and single water pump pulley. Nice looking work!

[Mainer311]

If you are using the spacer and later lower pulley, you should have a late water pump. The early is for the flat crank pulley and single water pump pulley. Nice looking work!

Yeah, I know, but a PO sin was to put the wrong water pump on, so I bought a new wrong water pump to replace it. I can make it work, I have access to a CNC shop and lots 'o aluminum.

[spl310]

You don't say.... You may be my new best friend! LOL!!!

[Mainer311]

Not much new going on as I haven't been up in Maine lately. I did get the entire transmission rebuilt in MA, and then took it back home. New gaskets/seals and I did the sloppy 4-speed shifter fix to the tailhousing. Also put new seals in the speedo drive unit. The engine is finally off the stand, with the flywheel, clutch, and transmission back on the engine. It's hanging from the hoist with a stool supporting the transmission right now, waiting to go back in.

I also cleaned the engine bay, and began painting the frame and inner fenders to clean them up a little.

I made some 6 gauge grounding wires here at work with these giant tabs on the end. They came out really nice.

I had some time, so I took the valve cover to the buffer here at work, and then used Testors model enamel in gloss black to accent the cover.

[notoptoy]

Looks great, you'll be firing it up soon!

[Speedyshel]

Looking good! Keep it up, I can't wait to see that big blue thing in it's final home.

[Roman]

I did the sloppy 4-speed shifter fix to the tailhousing.

Coming along nicely.

What btw, is the sloppy shifter cure?

[dbrick]

I hadn't checked in on this thread for a while.. DAMN those pistons were hammered...no wonder.
Glad it's coming along.

[Munxcub]

Is your inline fuel filter after the fuel pump?