1978 Pontiac Firebird Week 2008 12 06

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Projects for Week 2008 12 06

This weekend’s projects:
Start the battery wiring project, including the cut off switch for power
Install the fuel cell and fuel pump
Finish stripping out the wiring behind the dash
Cut out the side roll bar

Here is a juicy one:  Finish stripping the engine to see if it is a four bolt:  Well, we went right to the juicy one and took the engine apart.  In fact , we were not satisfied with one, so we took two engines apart.

I enlisted the efforts of all the members of Rochester Street Rods and Finger Lakes Classic Chevrolet clubs and had great turn out.. We had Len Ball, Tom Deyle, Don Kenyon, Glenn Koester, Frank Serafine, John Norton, Steven Walczak.

All are welcome Saturday mornings 9 to Whenever

	Engine number one, the one that was in the car. Step one drain the oil and put it away so it does not get spilled. Person in charge and doing the work is Tom Deyle
	This is what the big mystery is all about. according to the stamping number 0565563 YZ this block is either a 400/360 H.O.  or (Ram Air III) 400/370 hp four bolt main . We are about to find out.
	According to the head number 48  these heads are 1969, 400/ 330, 335, 350, 366HP,  valves 2.11/1.77, MT Ram Air III. The heads look to be in really nice condition. Screw in rocker arm studs
	Heads and the valley pan have been removed. The engine is nice an clean, no gunk. Pistons look really nice. The floor still is in pretty good shape. We have had some newly arrived helpers. Don Kenyon, Glenn Koester, Lenny Ball, have arrived
	Tom is being his usual meticulous self, clean and neat, removing lifters in order (Don’t tell him now, but they are all going to be replace with solid roller lifters).
	Oil pan is now off, and lo and behold there is a windage tray in the engine.
	Receiving directions from the peanut gallery.
	New arrival in the background is Frank Serafine. Later to be the only person to be injured on the job. I broke out the first aid kit purchased years ago for the first time. Each project I have ever worked on always requires that touch of red.
	Oil pump removal. We found the end of the dip stick next to the rear main.
	Yes, it is a four bolt main. not only that but it has been balanced!
	I like it.
	Ok, that was fun.  What do we do now? Oh yes anther new arrival John Norton.
	Well guys I have this other 400 we could take apart and see what kind of condition it is in. The block is 585975 YC 290 HP, but the heads are number 16 which means 1968, 400  335,350,360HP valves 2.11/1.77 Chamber 72-75 cc which means they have the same compustion ration and valve size as the 48 ram air heads which are worth some money
	John, you can have the block, all I want are the heads and 400 tranny. Boy look at him go to town. It pays to come to Glenn’s on Saturdays. Tom walked away with some free powder coating and John walked away with a free block.
	Boy, I wonder what was being discussed here. I really must have been interesting.
	We got the big tools out now.
	It’s fighting us.
	Look who showed up. Steve Walczak
	Boy will you look at this motley crew of helpers. From left to right, John Norton,Lenny Ball (sitting), Don Kenyon,Frank Serafine, Tom Deyle,  Steve Walczak, and Glenn Koester. The engine is at http://www.pro-formancespecialties.com   The current plan is to build the the Ram Air engine, rings, valve job, solid roller cam, adjustable rockers, 750 Holley, torker II intake, more to come.  Click to see the engine work