276 stroker from 35 years of parts

[38 coupe]

According to the 1953 Ford Truck Shop Manual (page 53) "After the cover is installed, the pump shaft shall rotate freely and have an end play of 0.002 to 0.0045 inch".

[GB SISSON]

Been down there a couple hours and just came up to read. Seems all is well. I laid a strip of plastigage across both gears and it reads out exactly .0015 on both gears. I reassembled with no gasket and a very light smear of permatex and loctite on the bolts. For the relief valve I ran a string of dental floss through a dab of #2 permatex and wrapped it around the recess between the threads and the head of the cap. This centered the fiber washer upon tightening. I was very careful about excess anything and finalized it with stainless aircraft safety wire. Next I placed my new cam gear over the cam with the marks aligned and tapped it home. I figured I'd rotate the crank until I had four threaded holes showing through the cam bolt holes. Unfortunately the gear was a pretty tight fit on it's hub so it rotated the cam along with it. Had to get it off. No dice. I finally made a puller from hardwood and 1/4-20 bolts which worked well. Now I'm ready to search for the best method. I know common sense would eventually win, but at some point I just want to roll around in the woodie and not reinvent the wheel at each step. The help I have gotten from you guys is invaluable and is like a one on one college course.

[GB SISSON]

Originally Posted by 38 coupe

According to the 1953 Ford Truck Shop Manual (page 53) "After the cover is installed, the pump shaft shall rotate freely and have an end play of 0.002 to 0.0045 inch".

Thanks Fred, looks like I'm on the tight side but I am positive it rotated exactly the same as it did with tht gasket in it. I was quite afraid of binding so I was playing close attention to how it felt turning with my fingers. Oh, and I didn't mention it before, but I snuck a 1/4" flat washer (quite a thin one) into the cap before the spring. My dad was an insurance broker, as is my younger daughter so I've gotten a few earfuls about the importance of good insurance over the years.......

[38 coupe]

I typically bolt the gear onto the cam before installing the cam, then line up the dots on the gears when dropping in the crank. Can you see the offset in the bolt holes of the cam? Maybe make a couple long studs threaded into the cam to slide the gear over to line things up?

[cadillac512]

Fred, thanks for posting that truck manual page. I'm corrected!

[GB SISSON]

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I measured the gasket after I took it out. It measures .012 thick and it's been compressed. Another note from today's adventures was that instead of making a correct dowel for that breather tube extraction I found a craftsman 15/16" deep socket was a tight pound in fit. In fact it reshaped the oval and somewhat dented tube to like new condition. I plugged a 1/2" breaker bar into it and after a bit of wiggling the tube rotated out of it's hole. I will install it into my block with loctite or epoxy if it feels loose. On the camshaft front I found that rotating the crank in the other direction moved the cam gear outward and it didn't grip the hub on the cam so I could see when the correct 4 holes rolled into sight. As most of you had probably predicted, (where's the roll eyes imogee?) the very first tab I bent over on my 'used' cam gear lock plate developed a crack and that was all I needed to see. New 'store bought' one is slated to arrive June 3rd. And you will be pleased to know I succesfully drilled the heads on two 5/16" bolts for oil pump attachment. One is a bit longer for if the council recommends a lock washer along with the safety wire and loctite. I always thought it was odd that such an important part is attached by a single bolt...

[cadillac512]

Well done. My lock plate has no tabs-replaced by blue 242 Loctite.

[GB SISSON]

Originally Posted by cadillac512

Well done. My lock plate has no tabs-replaced by blue 242 Loctite.

Buit you kept the plate like a big washer so the thickness was there for the bolts I presume. Now I'll hand you back a 'well done'. When I saw that the tabs wouldn't take more bending and pulled the plate I was very surprised how firmly the red loctite(in the blue tube) held those bolts. I had cleaned the bolts and the threaded holes with brake-clean and then a shot of starting fluid. Ya can't be too careful with this stuff.

[GB SISSON]

Here's a rather different question this morning. I need about 30 more head bolts to make a set. A few steps away from my project engine is a 59ab that runs quite well and came as a running engine in the 'Big block purchase of 2017'. The PO installed the heads with 8ba head bolts. At some point I pulled the heads for inspection and replaced the gaskets with Best composite type, re- using the bolts. I have no immediate plans for this 59ab and wondered if I could rob it of most of it's head bolts and how best to do that. Loosen them all about one turn, and then pull the 30 needed? Yes, I should buy new bolts, but 100 bucks plus tax and shipping and I just ordered a pile of needed items that I cannot do without. This would just be a temporary loan as I'm sure some will come available over the next year or so if I keep my eyes peeled. It's pretty obvious I'm not racking up my usual billable hours in the wood shop these last couple of months, but dang this is way more interesting.

[Bored&Stroked]

Be careful when NOT using the lock plate, that the 4 cam gear bolts don't go THROUGH the back of the camshaft flange and then gall up the thrust surface on your block!

I always install the gear and validate that the bolts are not sticking out - before installing the cam in the block.

[glennpm]

Good tip!

[cadillac512]

Sure, loosen them all, take what you need and snug down the remaining bolts enough to keep moderate pressure on the gaskets. Spread the remaining bolts out best you can. That'll work.

[51504bat]

Van Pelt sells the bolts individually if you can't source enough elsewhere.
Ford Engine Parts Prices (vanpeltsales.com)

[tubman]

A few years ago, "Charlie NY" sent me a whole box of 8BA headbolts. If you can send me a list of the lengths you need and how many, I could probably fix you up for the cost of shipping.

[GB SISSON]

Wow thanks everybody! And Denny, how can I turn that down? Really nice of you. I put in a real day in the cabinetshop as the 'non' natives (summerfolk) are getting restless about how their projects are coming along. Sheesh, cut a guy a break. I have a lot of parts coming in these days. Pilot bearing for the t5 swap, one wire alternator, 5/8" pulley for alt, seat belts for the back seat (safety gramps), 3 row champion radiator all came today. Drakes water pumps, self locking rod nuts, and cam gear lock plate in transit etc, etc. I found everything for the fan assembly including long nut, square washer and the correct slingshot hanging on a nail. I was also very pleased to uncover a fuel pump stand, 8ba style in a plastic milk crate on a very high shelf. Thinking fuel pump from napa as they are fresh and ethanol safe. Thanks for the continued support and while I wait for parts you can see I've stayed busy on the happy hunting grounds.

[GB SISSON]

Originally Posted by tubman

A few years ago, "Charlie NY" sent me a whole box of 8BA headbolts. If you can send me a list of the lengths you need and how many, I could probably fix you up for the cost of shipping.

PM sent

[cas3]

Obviously the "non natives" don't understand how important old Ford projects are for mental health and general well being.

[GB SISSON]

Originally Posted by cas3

Obviously the "non natives" don't understand how important old Ford projects are for mental health and general well being.

Skip, they are downright clueless on such matters. God help them....

[flatford8]

I’ve had very good luck with NAPA parts for my ‘50, including the fuel pump….10 yrs. on the one in it now……Mark

[GB SISSON]

Here's a pic of some of the parts I have accumulated so far. Among items not shown are an 18" four bladed fan and an 18" six blade fan with steel arms/hub and aluminum paddles. The one seen mounted is 17". Leaning toward the 18" four blade at this point for no particular reason.