Reassemble

[FreeBeeTony]

After receiving my roller rockers and checked the push rod length I discovered that the stem of my intake valves were not protruding above the keeper the same as the exhaust valves, see pic. The intake valve stem was not making contact w/ the rocker
Brought the heads back to the machine shop and he seemed to admit there was an error.
As Bondo said: measure everything! The machine shop told me "I give you credit for finding this problem"....

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Got my heads back last night.
Going to re-check my push rod length again and start to install rocker and heads.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Installed rockers on all 4 corners to check push rod length............all look good w/ stock length.
Good contact on intake and exhaust after machine shop corrected the error........
What are the thoughts on replacing the pushrods?.......I've replaced everything else!

His error was that he used a "taller" keeper to achieve the correct spring height at the cost of the valve stem height.
In order to correct the problem it was necessary to machine the spring pocket to use a "lower" keeper.

All is well now......

 

[Grub54891]

Shure wouldn't hurt to change out the pushrods. Figure the wear patterns on the old ones would be an issue in my mind. With new, everything would wear evenly Instead of conforming to the old ones. With that being said, I've re-used pushrods many times, as long as they were straight and true. but also used the original rockers.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Ordered new push rods today.
Should have the long block complete this w/e.

 

[Lou C]

Glad to see you caught the mistake and they corrected it without issues! The value of going slowly and checking everything....

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Hi Lou......yes, I'm glad I caught the error also......could have easily been missed if I didn't check the push rod length.
Hope to complete the long block this w/e........just waiting for my push rods today!!

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Installed heads and rockers today.......need to final adjust tomorrow and install intake manifold.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Long block completed.....roller rockers final adjusted, intake installed.....

 

[Lou C]

Lookin great Tony, now if you don't mind my asking, how are you getting this nice shiny Chevrolet out of the basement?

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Lookin great Tony, now if you don't mind my asking, how are you getting this nice shiny Chevrolet out of the basement?

Will advise.............

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Long block completed and removed from the engine stand and laid on a cradle/dolly for removal from the basement in the spring.......

 

[Bondo]

Cool,.....

 

[Lou C]

Sounds good, I'm thinking this is going to involve the services of some strong young-uns to help out eh? If I ever wind up doing a job like this, I'd have to build a gantry like you used in my driveway and pull the boat out from under the engine and lower it down to a pallet. Then do whatever I'd be doing in the garage. Which of course has to get cleaned out first. I hope that my top end overhaul lasts a few years because that garage is again at critical mass....or mess as the case may be....

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Looks like a Damn crate engine.......lol
Plan on documenting the rise out of the basement........wish me luck!!

 

[devildogae]

looking forward to watching the video of the initial start in the spring...I hope you video it for the forum.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Spring is only days away........and we have a snow storm!!
I keep trying to prepare........
Installed a test dashboard tonight, see below.
Also included a pic of the stairs leading outside.....should be interesting!

 

[Lou C]

The sight of the stairs, makes me even more curious, how you're going to get that out of there. I can imagine someone making an inclined ramp on the steps, and then using an electric winch outside to pull it up the ramp, lol. Can you drive a 4x4 up to your basement steps?

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Hi Lou, you're close. Plan is to lay a pc of plywood down the stairs and pull the engine up the stairs w/ my truck. I made the engine stand out of a dolly. Tried this method yesterday to pull the engine hoist out and it seemed to work fine. Not sure what next weekend looks like with these damn Nor'easters coming; plan was to pull the engine out then.

 

[Lou C]

I wonder if you could do it with 2 guys with a pair of come-alongs, maybe anchor them to the bumper of the truck or hitch since they are not lifting it technically but pulling it up an incline. Might be safer than trying to pull it with a truck.....A little at a time on each side....