Motor is now attached to the car again after 2 hours of wrenching last night. Still about 2 hours to get it running, still need everything but the motor mounts, and I broke the oil pressure gauge line

I deceided to pull the melling high volume oil pump from a spare motor and use it in place of the stock pump that was running on the motor. The experts tell me that it's a good idea the lap the pump drive gear to the cam and check how it's wearing before final assembly. I didn't do it due to time constraints and I'm praying that this doesn't come back to bite me.

The old pump gear looked good, so I suspect that the cam gear is ground properly, but I don't really know the details of how and why pump gear failures happen.

All in all, I've got to get this mill running and get it off to the state inspection station ASAP, so I can get one night at a test and tune (if it doesn't rain) before Indy. I'm not giving myself much time for last minute adjustments considering I'll be out of town this weekend on business.

Why is it always such a push at the last minute? I can hardly wait to drive it with the new motor/trans!

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1980 Aspen 225 super six

Finally running again after a few more hours of crawling around on a cold garage floor.

I would be like.
, but I'm not really sure why I'm still not getting good oil. It looked at first as if oil was filling the top end, but then it appeared to stop after about 10 minutes of running.

My oil pressure gauge line got mangled when I removed the engine (my own stupid fault) I need to get the gauge fixed so I can be sure the 'new' oil pump is working. God I hope so, but I can't figure out how oil still wouldn't be flowing if it was working.

On the brigher side, the motor idles much smoother than any I've worked on, and sounds very strong. If I can keep the oil flowing, it's gonna really rock!

The other kicker is that my local track is closed for the season. I have no chance to test and tune my car before Indy.

What are the chances that I'll drive my car with a newly installed engine and transmission, never tested on the trace, to an event 3 states away and make a good enough showing to collect 20 points??? Lets just say "don't hold your breath".

Maybe they'll come up with an award for the new guy with least chance of making it home under his own power.

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1980 Aspen 225 super six

Quaker City might still be open. Does Pittsburgh close this early? They were all at the bracket finals in Norwalk last weekend.

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Ron H.
"If at first you don't succeed, use a bigger hammer."

Hey Paul, I know it is a long drive but Maplegrove is scheduled to be open until november 6th

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[quote="70valiant'"]Hey Paul, I know it is a long drive but Maplegrove is scheduled to be open until november 6th[/quote]

He'd probably be actually closer to National Trail, Dragway 42, and Norwalk than Maple Grove.

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Ron H.
"If at first you don't succeed, use a bigger hammer."

Yes, but I have a friend with a slant six car that I can meet at Maple Grove.

The way things look right now, I doubt I'll have any time to get out to any test and tune prior to Indy. (maybe if Indy has a friday night deal I could try to get out there early)

I got the oil pressure gauge working again last night and the pressure looks fine. I can't even guess why oil isn't pumping up top, but after a conversation with Jim Cox (no name dropping here ) I think I will run it like it is out to Indy and see what it will do. I know it's got oil in the bottom end, so it should endure the trip.

Motor sounds strong! I'm starting to really feel that "getting ready for a race" feeling. Anybody want to take a stab at what my new 1/4 mile times will be like. My best ever was in the 18.2 range, but 18.45 was the best I could ever back up. I'm really hoping to be knocking down high 17's even with minimal tuning time.

Here is my current equipment inventory,
Super six (aluminum manifold) with BBD,
2 1/4 exhaust, "turbo" muffler,
Mildly ported head with 340 springs, milled .060 and recycled metal shim head gasket,
Fresher cast crank block,
High volume melling oil pump,
Stock cam advanced "a couple degrees"
Electronic Ignition 12* initial, 30* total advance in quick,
1983 Truck 904 with stock stall and unknown gears (hopefully low gearset),
8 1/4 rear with 2.94 sure grip,
Short, 60 series rear tires,
5 blade Flex fan,
1980 dogde aspen body (without any weight reduction) 50 lbs worth of radio. (for tunes along the way)

I better start packing the big tool box. This thing is RAW! Driving it to Indy on hope and a prayer.

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1980 Aspen 225 super six

Ummm, sounds good, but that "recycled" head gasket would really worry me. Those things are only made to be run once, I believe. Take a FelPro as a spare at least.

17.92 is my WAG.

Lou

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