BlueBird - Page 13

Topic: BlueBird (Read 47195 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: BlueBird

Reply #180 – May 21, 2019, 03:05:19 PM

Eric, I used Haystack's thread you already found, and this one
https://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/index.php?topic=6042.0

Between the two, I compiled the parts list I used in my car. The flywheel is determined by both the bell/starter you choose and the imbalance of the engine.

Re: BlueBird

Reply #181 – May 28, 2019, 05:51:42 PM

I knocked the red engine apart yesterday and found some nice flat top pistons, but some weeny put an 0.085" thick copper head gasket on it while leaving the pistons 0.020" in the hole, for a calculated 7.8:1 static compression ratio

I am glad to find flat tops. I was worried this engine might have had dished pistons installed which would make it much more difficult for me to achieve a reasonable compression ratio. The rods are early C3 forged units, the pistons have coated skirts, and the assemblies appear to have been balanced. This rotating assembly will be re-homed into a later block with the big bell housing pattern(2/3 SBF).

If I zero deck the block with these flat top pistons, run a normal thickness head gasket, and figure in the original chamber size on the crossflow head, the calculator spits out a 9.57:1 number that I like much better. Seems that I need to be making calls about camshaft profiles pretty soon.

Re: BlueBird

Reply #182 – May 28, 2019, 08:54:07 PM

Is the cyl head guy going to also do some chamber work and unshroud those nice valves?

Re: BlueBird

Reply #183 – May 28, 2019, 08:56:56 PM

I am not keeping those nice valves. They are in the iron log head I removed from the red engine, which is for sale.

Re: BlueBird

Reply #184 – May 28, 2019, 09:28:23 PM

7.8:1? Why even bother? Geez.

Looks like some good parts in there, though.

Re: BlueBird

Reply #185 – May 28, 2019, 10:17:20 PM

Based on evaluating the parts lot I received with the red engine, it was intended to be a blow-thru 2bbl setup, very low tech. A lot of these six guys are quite entrenched in the low compression for boost, late 70's-early 80's mentality. That's part of why I was so worried I might find dish pistons in this engine, even though I knew they were forged aftermarket pieces.

Re: BlueBird

Reply #186 – May 28, 2019, 11:43:51 PM

Quote from: gumby – on May 28, 2019, 10:17:20 PM

Based on evaluating the parts lot I received with the red engine, it was intended to be a blow-thru 2bbl setup, very low tech. A lot of these six guys are quite entrenched in the low compression for boost, late 70's-early 80's mentality. That's part of why I was so worried I might find dish pistons in this engine, even though I knew they were forged aftermarket pieces.

I guess more of a cushion for "error", considering the intended set-up.

Can't say too much, I guess. The turbo engine in my 240 is factory at 7.5:1, I think, but it's also early '80's mechanical FI tech. It's replacement engine will be more like 9.5:1

Re: BlueBird

Reply #187 – June 20, 2019, 10:02:06 PM

I don't really have much of an update here, but it has been a few weeks so here are some words. I have been driving the car regularly. Installed some adjustable upper control arms to dial in the drive line angles. On one of my test drives the low oil pressure light decided to start flickering at idle.

I parked the car for a couple days while I gathered time to stick a real gauge on it and check oil pressure mechanically. I found 60psi cold start and 22psi hot idle. Seems healthy, so I replaced the sender. Second guessed myself at the parts counter and got the wrong sender the first time, so I got to do that job twice. I also replaced the coolant temp sender at the same time. The gauge hasn't been working since I put the car back on the road. It is nice to at least have a minimal monitor on what the engine temp is doing

Made it all of three days and it cut clean off while driving to work one morning last week.... WTF?
I called for a ride and came back with a friend and a trailer after work. Still no start. I was thinking TFI, but they typically will re-fire once they cool off. Bummer. Load up and shove it in the shop, didn't have time to look at it again till tonight.

Rotor spins during cranking, power to the coil. Shot some brake cleaner in the CFI and it coughed. No friggin way, I just had the tank down, you dirty mfer

Fuel pump was last on my list of things to check. The tank is only half full AND I have a spare pump on the shelf. This is NOT when fuel pumps go bad. Sure enough though, all the wiring checked out and I dropped the tank to swap pumps.

It runs again.

Re: BlueBird

Reply #188 – June 21, 2019, 09:22:44 AM

Ugh, days like that you start thinking about making a hinged door in the trunk.

Re: BlueBird

Reply #189 – June 21, 2019, 12:22:43 PM

Didn't you change the fuel pump when you were putting the car together?

Re: BlueBird

Reply #190 – June 21, 2019, 02:07:17 PM

Just the hose. Pump ran at that time.

Re: BlueBird

Reply #191 – June 21, 2019, 03:41:43 PM

Usually my pumps fail on a full tank.

Re: BlueBird

Reply #192 – July 30, 2019, 09:29:33 PM

This 3.8 is chock full of disappointment. The car has hardly been on the road at all in July. A couple near overheats, a cracked radiator neck, and most recently a leaky water pump. I have a sneaking suspicion one or both headgaskets may be allowing combustion pressure into the water jackets.
Couple all that with the Crossflow head locked up in machine shop jail and a bout of FB marketplace fueled automotive ADHD, and I am in full detour mode .

Re: BlueBird

Reply #193 – July 30, 2019, 11:02:55 PM

Wow. You just ran right out onto the ledge and jumped before the news crews could get there.

Looks like a decent collection of parts when you get done thrashing it.

Re: BlueBird

Reply #194 – July 31, 2019, 09:27:53 AM

Oboy!

So are you going to stick with the 6 cylinder build or is the DOHC 4.6 too tempting?