Build thread - Resurrection of an old Contemporary - Page 5

RICK LAKE · #1 (**permalink**) 05-09-2009, 02:22 AM

767 Jockey Doug have you thought of coming to the show? There is a great chance of fining you know who there. If you can push a little, have the new block brought to the show, I will pick it up for you and bring it home? This is just a thought. I am sorry you have had to go though this mess. I will stay with the fact that your machinist has made 2 mistakes. First one is you never order parts until ALL the machine work is done and OK'ed. Second is He should have informed you about the first block BEFORE taking it apond himself to fill the block with blockcrete. This will work fine on a 1/4 mile car but not recommended on a street motor. The boring of the blocks is also falling on him for NOT telling you about some blocks can only safety be boring .030" over. If the big bore motor was in the plans, it should have been gotten with a 4.310" size and not try to open up a 390-428 block. Your machinist is a PRO, and should have explained this before starting this work. The company that gave the OK to overbore the new block should now be held for the whole bill after giving the go ahead on the boring. The offer still stands about picking up a new block for you if they come to carlisle. Rick L.

patrickt · #2 (**permalink**) 05-09-2009, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RICK LAKE

767 Jockey Doug have you thought of coming to the show? There is a great chance of fining you know who there...

AKA, "dispute resolution via ambush."

1985 CCX · #3 (**permalink**) 05-09-2009, 07:01 AM

Doug,

Sorry to hear about your plant! I guess that is why KC does not give his work away as he has to deal with more than a basic build.

Lesson learned here go to KC or FES for plants.

The rest of your build is looking great. Can't wait to see the car, maybe Limerock this year?

767Jockey · #4 (**permalink**) 05-09-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RICK LAKE

767 Jockey Doug have you thought of coming to the show? There is a great chance of fining you know who there. If you can push a little, have the new block brought to the show, I will pick it up for you and bring it home? This is just a thought. I am sorry you have had to go though this mess. I will stay with the fact that your machinist has made 2 mistakes. First one is you never order parts until ALL the machine work is done and OK'ed. Second is He should have informed you about the first block BEFORE taking it apond himself to fill the block with blockcrete. This will work fine on a 1/4 mile car but not recommended on a street motor. The boring of the blocks is also falling on him for NOT telling you about some blocks can only safety be boring .030" over. If the big bore motor was in the plans, it should have been gotten with a 4.310" size and not try to open up a 390-428 block. Your machinist is a PRO, and should have explained this before starting this work. The company that gave the OK to overbore the new block should now be held for the whole bill after giving the go ahead on the boring. The offer still stands about picking up a new block for you if they come to carlisle. Rick L.

Rick,
I'd love to come to the show, but it's looking like I'll be out of town during that time. As far as the original block and the hardblock problem, I agree but that's over and done with, I can't change that. The guy has stood up and done the right thing, none of that mistake is costing me money, he's eating it all. It's just the time now that's killing me, and I can't change that. I wish it didn't happen, but my builder can't be doing more for me than he is now - he's doing whatever he can to make everything right. So far the same can't be said for the manufacturer of the new block. I really wish I could make it to the show.

767Jockey · #5 (**permalink**) 02-04-2010, 08:37 PM

Finally an update! I just heard from the engine bulder that he made chips on the block, I'm finally going to get an engine! he's looking for delivery to me in March, and off I go. The car has been dead in the water for almost a year, I hope to have it running this summer. Hopefully I can get this thread going again.

patrickt · #6 (**permalink**) 02-04-2010, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 767Jockey

Finally an update! I just heard from the engine bulder that he made chips on the block, I'm finally going to get an engine! he's looking for delivery to me in March, and off I go.

Now are we talking a fully built engine, short block, long block, or just a half-ass bore out of the block?

767Jockey · #7 (**permalink**) 02-04-2010, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

Now are we talking a fully built engine, short block, long block, or just a half-ass bore out of the block?

We're talking about an all aluminum 482" Sideoiler, complete! Let's hope something doesn't rear it's ugly head up out of nowhere and bit me in my big posterior again. There have been a few small things that I've gotten done on the car in the almost one year since Genesis grounded my plans for the year. Nick fabricated me up a gorgeous comp style aluminum fuel tank. I'm in the middle of getting that in. The electrical wires are run throughout the body, wires are hanging all over the place, I can't tidy them up and cut them to length until the body is on the frame, and that can't be done until the engine is in the frame rails. Everything hinges on the frame receiving the powertrain right now. My seats have been at the local upholsterer for over a year now. I finally told him last week that they are coming home with me next weekend, completed or not. If they aren't done, and I have no reason to suspect that they will be, anyone have any ideas on where to ship them to get an accurate leather upholstery job done on them for less than the price of a used Corvette?

As you can imagine, I've been chomping at the bit to get this thing going. It's been a tough time personally the last year or two, cancer and a divorce will do that to you. The ex and I still get along real well. She gave me the car in the settlement without me even asking for it. She said it was my life long dream and I have my heart and soul tied up in it and she couldn't bear to see me have to part with it. She's quite a lady. It looks like I'll be settling down in Houston, I'm starting the search for a rental home down there for the time being. Once the car is done, I'll bring it down there. My ex ended up with the house and is letting me keep the car there and allowing me to work on it there in my old garage with all my tools and stuff. I'll finish it up there and then haul it down to Texas. I can't tell you guys how eager I am to get re-started on this thing. I'm ready to go, the only question is, will the engine show up? As I've said before, I do everyting alone. I have to figure out a way to round up a few extra guys on Long Island the day the body goes on. If not I'll have to try to rig up some sort of hoist that I can use myself. Any Long Island guys out there feel like gettting their hands busy for a day? Free beer and food for all!

I can't wait to get going, it's been too long. The wrenches are calling me, the lights are on and the radio is playing. All I need is that aluminum beauty to show up, and it's game on.......finally.

FFR428 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-09-2009, 03:23 PM

Man I'm sorry to hear of the block problems. Assuming it's the aftermarket iron sideoiler block we all know and love...Is this a 2nd generation block? I thought they had all those casting flaws worked out from the 1st gen blocks? Also there were some recent threads on FE.com about the quirks of the Genesis blocks. Be aware there's a pretty good checklist to run through. Hopefully your machinist is aware of all these things. Best of luck!

mickmate · #9 (**permalink**) 02-04-2010, 08:46 PM

That's great news pal. Got the channel yesterday.

767Jockey · #10 (**permalink**) 02-04-2010, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickmate

That's great news pal. Got the channel yesterday.

Cool - I'll look for it coming back on the return.

aks801 · #11 (**permalink**) 02-05-2010, 05:49 AM

This is all starting to shape up again!

ZOERA-SC7XX · #12 (**permalink**) 02-05-2010, 05:58 PM

Great to hear you're back on the project. Hope you get it together and running soon. Keep us all posted.

86Sebring · #13 (**permalink**) 02-05-2010, 07:36 PM

Doug, great to hear an update. Who needs a stinking house when you can bang gears in a Cobra

1985 CCX · #14 (**permalink**) 02-06-2010, 08:38 AM

Go Doug Go!

767Jockey · #15 (**permalink**) 05-14-2010, 10:21 PM

Well, an update of sorts. First, the bad news - engine still isn't done. However, there is good news. I saw the engine today, and it's a thing of beauty. The guy truly is an artist. The handiwork on this thing is second to none. Everything done so far is absolutely perfect. The hand made parts and custom work done on it is awesome. Minor examples, among many: The intake is a Edelbrock Performer RPM. The manifold was port matched by Keith Craft to match the KCR CNC Stage II head ports. I gave the intake back to the engine builder, and he machined the "Edelbrock" and "Performer RPM" off the manifold and blasted it with some unknown media, and the manifold looks perfect. You'd never know it was ever on there. Same with the Edelbrock water pump. He also custom built me a single 4bbl. fuel log that looks absolutely perfect. I'm running an electric fuel pump, so he mounted an fuel pump block off plate where the mechanical fuel pump would normally be. Down in the area where the diaphram business end of the mechanical fuel pump would normally be, he mounted the fuel regulator, then ran perfectly formed hard line up to the fuel log. Unless you crane your neck to look under and see that it's a regulator down there and not a pump, it looks just like original. Just a whole bunch of things like that making a huge difference in the detail of the engine bay. Add this to all the awesome custom work that Nick Acton has done ("Mickmate" here on CC) and the level of custom details on the car are second to none.

Right now it's basically a complete engine except for the intake not being bolted on and the ignition. He has assembled the entire valvetrain without the intake being on to run the engine by hand through a bunch of cycles so that he has a good view of the entire valvetrain in motion and can see clearly any issues involved. Now that he's satisfied with all that, he'll pull the valvetrain, install the intake, and get the rest of the engine buttoned up. He expects to have it running an a week or two, ready for delivery.

I saw the carburetor today and it looks awesome. I custom ordered a Quick Fuel 950, but had them leave off all the purple or red bling, whatever that color is, and had them make it all original Holley color. I then went to Carl's Ford Parts and bought two complete LeMans bowl assemblies. I had my engine builder assemble the whole shooting match together, and it looks great, and should work even better. Today's visit was just what I needed to get a jolt of ambition to get this project moving again. Once I get the drivetrain installed I can drop the body over it and start making all my final hookups.

I don't know if I'll have the time to do it all, with the car being in NY and me just having bought a house in Texas, but I'll do the best I can, and if I can't get it done I'll trailer up the whole thing and bring it up to Nick Acton in NH and let him finish it all up. If any of you guys reading this are up on Long Island, sometime in the near future I may need a small group of guys to help me lift the body on to the chassis. I'll supply the beer and pizza if anyone on the Island cares to spend a night spinning wrenches and lifting. The car is completely rebuilt so you won't even get dirty. That's about it for now, I'm ready to run down the final stretch with this thing, I just need that aluminum powerhouse in my hands to get going. I'm starting to get motivated and eager again. Finally..........

streetrod1927 · #16 (**permalink**) 06-18-2010, 12:41 PM

Doug: All you need is to call me and I'll be by to help... I believe you have my number.

Ralph

767Jockey · #17 (**permalink**) 06-18-2010, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by streetrod1927

Doug: All you need is to call me and I'll be by to help... I believe you have my number.

Ralph

Thanks, Ralph! I'll probably take you up on that!

patrickt · #18 (**permalink**) 06-18-2010, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 767Jockey

Thanks, Ralph! I'll probably take you up on that!

If you need a custom two-piece FE dampner, just let me know. It's on the house....

Danr55 · #19 (**permalink**) 06-18-2010, 03:02 PM

Doug, Why don't you post some photos? That may serve to motivate you. If not you than perhaps some of us who have projects that have been sitting idle all year.....

767Jockey · #20 (**permalink**) 06-18-2010, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danr55

Doug, Why don't you post some photos? That may serve to motivate you. If not you than perhaps some of us who have projects that have been sitting idle all year.....

Dan,
I'd post photos but everything has sort of sat static for so long that there's nothing new to post photos of!