I took the last couple of days off to see if I can't finish this project up and I'm getting pretty darn close as of tonight. Everything is on the engine except for the ignition wires & PCV valve(I still have to drill the valve cover on the driver's side to install it). I've got to install the winch on the trailer and set up the weight distribution system tomorrow morning and then I'll tackle wiring all of the electronics(MSD, Shift Lite) and run the vacuum lines. Then I've still got to haul this thing off to have the collectors hooked up to the sidepipes which will probably not happen this weekend. Close.... but, no cigar yet!

By the way... the stock alternator belt is not even close for working with the March underdrive pulleys. I'm going to have to lose 1-2" for all of this work. That should be fun going in to an O-Reillys or NAPA and tell them to give me one 2" shorter than this(I then hand them a cut alternator belt).:lol:

 

Looks great! :yesnod: You should haver her on the road soon. :thumbs:

 

Looks nice, hope to be able to tackle a project like that some day. :cheers:


[Modified by Tominator, 11:03 AM 4/18/2003]

 

That looks like a serious motor, what are the specs?

 

:cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

 

Looking great Barry!! I ordered the March pully set too from Summit but I had to send it back, they told me a corvette needs a special set so they line up so they sent me the correct one. I can't wait until you get it started, looks like you will be the first one to run that ordered the AR engine (well, besides GS3, but he had his for a while). How are you wiring your mini starter? I bought a powermaster and there is only two connections? Keep us updated!! :cheers: :cheers:





[Modified by mpro72vette, 12:56 PM 4/18/2003]

 

A tip on the belt: If you're lucky the number on the old belt will follow the old standard. First 2 numbers are either 15 or 17 and is the width. The next 3 numbers are the length in inches/10. For instance 15395 is a 39.5" long belt.

 

69stingray...

Our signature were turned off yesterday until we reset our preferences, but I believe I have it reset now. The basic specs of the engine are down at the end of this post.

mpro72vette...

Don't be surprised if the harmonic balance pulley in the March set does not line up with the water pump pulley as AR supplied us with aftermarket harmonic balancers. I had to add washers behind that pulley to get it within the 1/16" alignment March suggests. Also, if you are using the March alternator pulley be sure & locktite the bolts. As far as starters, you only need a hot & starter wire.... the block acts as the ground. I wrapped the extra wire up for future use.

Where is your block oil pressure unit on the new engine. On my '74 engine it was above the oil filter. Not so on this '72 Z-28 block. I took Aaron's suggestion and did the Lowe's thing and made my own pressure unit coming out of the block at the base of the back of the intake.

zwede...

The belt that came off the old engine(it was brand new) is a Gates 7541 11A1370. Doesn't appear to be in the sets of numbers you suggested. Measurements are on the inside I presume?

 

Looks awesome, Barry. They have finished building my engine and I'm waiting on shipment. I think I'll also take a few days off work once it gets here to get it all installed. I sure wish it would hurry cause I keep buying parts "since it's out and I've got the chance." My girlfriend is so sick of that phrase. :lol:
On a less happy note, my digital camera was broken on my trip to Africa by a monkey (of all things) so I'm not sure if I'll be able to take any pics of the install when it gets here. Maybe I can borrow my dad's digital camera....or find a good deal on eBay (yeah, right).
Hopefully we can meet up at HRP sometime this summer.

 

Barry, Thanks, for the tip on the starter. On my old and new engine the block oil pressure until is behind the distributer. I also think I will be checking the crank pully like you suggested. The nice weather is starting to come and its killing me that mine isn't ready! :rolleyes:

 

Travis,

It's been awhile now that you had your engine on order... did Edelbrock get the new aluminum head problems all out of the way? Thinking that was one of the delays for you, plus you were not in any rush with the Africa trip. My next door neighbor ruined my day this morning as I was working on the trailer and he fired up a hopped up '72 Nova he brought home last night. Sounded good!. My neighbor on the other side of him was working in his yard and immediately dropped everything to go over. The wives were not amused that nothing got done or talked about except cars from there on out. :lol: :lol:

Definitely we all need to meet up at HRP.

 

Barry,
No, the Edelbrock head problem was never sorted and Mark is considering discontinuing their use because of the way Edelbrock treated them. So I'm getting some new Canfield heads (can't remember the model but they aren't available to the public yet) that with their first engine built with them produced over 500hp and ft-lbs. That motor had a single plane with a tall carb spacer on it so mine won't be quite that monstrous. If I ever convert to an L-88 hood I may consider it though.
Mark says they have been slammed hard lately with business (at least someone's doing good in this economy) and it's been slow because of that. I may be in a rush to get it in and done because I want to go on the Hot Rod tour in June. It will be a rush because my company is trying to send me back to Africa for a few weeks :(