The engine is finally back from the machine shop. Of the short block I originally got such a great "deal" on, we used ONLY the block. The engine was at the shop for about three weeks and I'd swear I got a call every three days.
Owner of shop- "Steve, How ya doin"
Me- "Alright Guy, yourself?"
"I'm good"
"My engine ready?"
"Well, we found..."
"Ahh golly gee darn it what now, Guy?"
Blah, blah, blah
CHA-CHING

Wife- :cuss
Me- :sad:
wife- :yesnod: followed by :leaving:
me- :blueangel: followed by :hurray: and "Yeah Guy, go for it"

SO the 406 is now 408 to correct poor machining without a torque plate. Any more and I'd have siamesed(sp) cylinder walls. The Pics:







That is a 6.25" balancer which I hope will clear the crossmember. The engine is internally balanced which allowed the use of 350cid parts.

The heads are en-route from AFR, I can't wait to start putting it all together. Watching Jesse is killin me

 

Looks good man! Good luck gettin' that beast back together!

 

She's so fine my 408 :thumbs: Cant you just add some head gasket thickness to make it a 409 :lol: :party:

 

yes that ballancer will clear no problem :cheers:

 

Am I seeing double? Looks like Jesses engine, looks like Jesses tag....

Oh no, its its Jesses Evil clone!!!!! Man that snow looks pretty deep! I wish we would get some seasons down here, its always sunny and 75, gets boring!!!!

Good luck, you might as well get used to the wife thing, it never stops. After 13 years of marriage i should know. The best way to keep them at bay is....

If it costs you $500 for exhaust, you have to gift match with $500 of jewelry, clothing, travel, home improvement, chic flicks, etc. Its easier just to buy them out and keep her as a silent partner!!! Takes twice as long, but adds years to your marriage, hairline, and lifespan!!!

 

Ski, that looks like a ATI balancer. Do you have a part # for it?. Also, I like your Cloyes timing cover. Do you know its part #.
Thanks

 

Am I missing something really whacked or are the waterpump holes just covered up with something for painting purposes? :D

 

:D Hey Brian, you can see the silhoutte of the water pump hole, especially, on the passenger side of the block. That engine is sweet though. I have a couple of questions to the owner:

1- Did the machine shop plug up that center 5/8" coolant hole, and did they also grind that 3/4" TOP CENTER COOLANT hole, I haven't seen one shaped like that. Is the gasket shaped like that?

2- Was the block machined and tapped for SPLAYED MAIN CAPS also? Or is this a 4-bolt main 511 casting block? What size AFR's are you getting, 195's or 210's? Thanks :chevy :flag

 

OK here are some specs...
Balancer: ATI-917781, 6.325" internal balance
Rods: Manley 5.7", (Because that's what prev. owner said he had to work with existing pistons)
Crank: Eagle steel
Pistons: Keith Black hyper..KB-139 I believe
Timing: Comp Cams roller w/ Cloyes cover CLO-9-221
Bore, 4.165- Stroke, 3.750 Heads, 70cc for a cool 10.25:1 motor

"Jesse's evil clone..."
I used to live at the bottom of a ski slope and across the street from the #10 Tee. (then I got married). We spoke briefly about that and it goes a little deeper. A good friend of mine is building a Blue 66 Chevelle with a Merlin 540, see Jesse's sig. I originally contacted him for a chip but that got put off, I went on my honeymoon, he went on his about a week later. While he was gone I found a 406 for sale...

Scorp
Yeah the water pump holes are taped off for painting, something that I asked the shop to do and they did not. I was very nervous painting around what has to be the best looking timing covers on the market.

Thanks for wife advice. Been married less than a year and I'm on a VERY steep learning curve. If summit has a $250 price tag, I budget $500. due to several break downs when I first got the car, she openly admits to hating it. However, in the end, I always get the :yesnod:

 

6SPD,
the casting # is 3951511

That coolant hole DOES look messed up in the pic, it's actually just some black residue. Scared me...

The heads, I called AFR to order and when I mentioned the 195's, he asked "what are going to tow". After some discussion I ended with the 210's. Because of the cam and rockers I had, Comp HR & Pro-mags 3/8", we
downgraded springs and studs. This will also leave room to grow, for now the engine should be very driveable, the future may hold diff't ideas. I really can't wait to get them bad boyz.

 

Ski, that looks very sweeeeet! :cheers:

Thanks for sharing this and all the details. Maybe I missed it, but can you tell us about your cam, heads and intake? Is this going to be an emissions compliant motor? Congrats!!!:cheers:

 

Good news!!! I just ran the numbers, and you have 408.73 cubic inches. So you can legally round up and claim its a 409!!!! :hurray: :hurray: :hurray:

 

thanks to all for the compliments

The Cam is Comp Cams XR282HR Hyd. Roller .510in .520ex Duration is 282/288, @.050 it's 230/236.

I will be using my Mini-Ram intake.

Emissions, short answer is no, air pump removed. I do hope to be able to pass the sniff test. In MD you test every two years, I'm currently researching a DFI system that would make it very easy to change the calibrations from max HP to reducing emissions under the very specific testing conditions for emissions. I think if I can pass the sniffer there will be no need for further inspection. The exhaust is TPIS long tubes/Y-pipe w/ a random tech cat.

The head info is above.

Any more ?'s, feel free to ask away.... :cheers:

 

I'd lie and tell everyone it's a 409. At least its a Chevy number :cheers:

 

:cool: :thumbs:
Very nice. Isn't it odd how somethin like that can look so cool to us,
and then others are scratching their heads...."like what", what is it ?
:flag :seeya

 

Ski,

You are me 2 a T :lol: :lol: Kinda freaky, should I start calling you "Single white female"? :D

The wife thing is funny too.

I agree with Corky, you should be fine with the balancer, mine just barely was hitting. You can double check it with a piece of cardboard or something, once the tranny is in and the engine is sitting correct.

The engine looks real good. Perhaps you can meet us somewere this summer for some racing :thumbs: and some :cheers: :cheers:

Keep us all posted, by the way tell my wife, I said HI....I mean your wife :jester :jester :D :cheers:

 

Are the Eagle 3.75 stroke cranks internally balanced from the start? Or did you spend some money to have all that mallory metal put into it for the 0 balance? Thats a cool setup with the 350 style balancer.

 

Jesse,
Sounds good, I definitely would like to take a ride up your way. Besides, I've never actually been on the track. I wasn't really that into it early on and I always seemed to have other plans when friends would offer to take me. Seems you and Cork could get me going on the right track. And yes, I will bring an extra set of tires to put on after my first 18sec 75mph tire smoking pathetic attempt.

Ken,
The crank is designed for an internal balance. However, in my case, the shop did have to add some weight. My combo of pistons and heavy Manley rods are heavier than just about any cranks' counterweight on the market. A lighter combo and no weight would have to be added. Believe me, I was not exaggerating about the amount of calls I got from the machine shop :crazy:

 

:cheers:

 

:cool:
looking good, should be a strong set up.
a future mod of 1.6 rockers with 7/16" studs would boost things nicely (that is if you get that "need for more speed" feeling).