1968 Holiday Restoration w/pics

[Azlo]

Re: 1968 Holiday Restoration w/pics

When she starts I will be passing out cigars. Is it a boy or a girl? Sorry couldnt help myself.

As long as its not a dud, im happy!!!

Does it matter ? Bottom line is these sweet I/O's in a small Starcraft are WAY cool.....I want ONE !

Why don't they still make these rigs ? Not that I want a new one, I'd love an old model to rebuild and have Azlo and Alpheus the lime green engine chieftain guys build my engine.............. Sweet !

This craze is getting big CaptainQ. Aluminum lasts and to me what makes this things so great,,,welll their simple to work on compared to fiberglass. Plus when you rebuild one they get to be stronger then what they would be from original factory. Not like fiberglass where u have to cut, itchy all the time, wear suits to work, respirator. Not that I dont like fiberglass. Its just, to me, aluminum tins dont have to go through that hassle. Plus they are lighter,.

Nice work partner! I am really looking forward to seeing some video of er running!

U got it jasoutside! Right now im having some doubts on my camshaft though. It seems to be very loose. Other camshafts that I have installed have that snug feeling u know. So i got the new bearings and slid them on the old cam and they felt the same. Got the old bearings and tried it on the new cam and same.:facepalm: So we will see what happens.

 

[Last Mohican]

Re: 1968 Holiday Restoration w/pics

U got it jasoutside! Right now im having some doubts on my camshaft though. It seems to be very loose. Other camshafts that I have installed have that snug feeling u know. So i got the new bearings and slid them on the old cam and they felt the same. Got the old bearings and tried it on the new cam and same.:facepalm: So we will see what happens.

That is what mics are for. Measure the cam boss and the bearing and calcualte the clearance. Now is the time. Not after you start it and it has no oil pressure.

 

[Azlo]

Re: 1968 Holiday Restoration w/pics

That is what mics are for. Measure the cam boss and the bearing and calcualte the clearance. Now is the time. Not after you start it and it has no oil pressure.

Your right Last Mohican Im off to HF to get a micrometer and a freeze plug installer. Its best to make sure, even though the urge to finish is crasy. Ill post the specs & measurements.

 

[Azlo]

Re: 1968 Holiday Restoration w/pics

I was off work early today so I managed to install my rear seal. I forgot to install when i slid the crank in.

I also tried to install my freeze plugs but its just best to get the installer tool.

Before i put my funky oil pan i was also removing the nasty screen from the oil pump. just nasty. Gonna soak it over night.

STill waiting for my manifold and riser to arrive so I can paint & install. Will post soon. Right now Im off to Harbor Freighty.

 

[Last Mohican]

Re: 1968 Holiday Restoration w/pics

Your right Last Mohican Im off to HF to get a micrometer and a freeze plug installer. Its best to make sure, even though the urge to finish is crasy. Ill post the specs & measurements.

You'll be glad you did what ever the outcome. Either it is within tolerance and you are sure, or it is out are you are glad you caught it. Good job bro. Keep it up.

 

[Azlo]

Re: 1968 Holiday Restoration w/pics

Thanks to Last Mohican my worries are no more,I went ahead and got a micrometer and measured my cam bearings. They measure at 1.869.

My cam measures 1.866.

SO it seems we will be ok, I think. I will double check the specs. Now all I need is to get by cam plate of the old cam & press it on the new cam. For that I would need to take it to the machine shop orrrr by me a shop press. So i look on harbor freight, northern tool and Craigslist. I do other work that i would benefit from the press so I would like to get a good one. But they are 400$ smackers for 30 ton. Ouch! Looked on craigslist and what do u know a used 30 ton press for $100. Really cool, except its like way out in the cocomo, an hour an a half to get to it an another 1.5 to get back. Well it was worth it. This thing is taller than I am.

Had a full day today time to relax and will try to get that cam plate off tomorrow to install on the new one. Thanks LM for the suggestion.

 

[Last Mohican]

Re: 1968 Holiday Restoration w/pics

Good score on the press. I've been contemplating one myself. I just keep spending gas, time and money going to the machine shop. One of these days I'll realize the project I'm working on is not going to be the last press job I have to do. LOL.

 

[Azlo]

Re: 1968 Holiday Restoration w/pics

Good score on the press. I've been contemplating one myself. I just keep spending gas, time and money going to the machine shop. One of these days I'll realize the project I'm working on is not going to be the last press job I have to do. LOL.

Yeap, you know you need it when the job keeps asking for it. But Im gonna be eating balogny sandwiches this coming week.

 

[Azlo]

Re: 1968 Holiday Restoration w/pics

So now that i have a press, im gonna press my cam gear. But first I have to remove the cam holder off the old cam.

Now time to press the new cam gear & the cam holder on to the new cam. But have to be careful cause the cam holder, has to have a clearance of .001 to .005. SO i have to press SLOWLY.

Well i had to do it twice but finally i got around .002. Very easy though.

 

[Azlo]

Re: 1968 Holiday Restoration w/pics

After getting the cam ready i installed the oil pump.

After installing the pump, i realised I oulcdnt install the cam with out installing the crank gear. SO crank gear in hand when it hit I dont have a socket big enough or deep enough to install this gear. So I used a tie rod fork. It worked!!

Lubed up the camshaft & slid it in.

Looking good man.

What next u say. Timing cover,, here we go.

 

[proshadetree]

Re: 1968 Holiday Restoration w/pics

one step closer looking good man.

 

[Azlo]

Re: 1968 Holiday Restoration w/pics

I was gonna install the rocker arms but then I found this..

Look at the first four on the left.

It looks like it wore the holes large. Im not sure what kind of problems this would cause. But will wait till i find out.

Other side look fine.

So went ahead and install the manifold.

then the elbow.

Still waiting for the water pump & hoses to come in. WIll prepare the fuel pump, distributor & carb next weekend.

 

[Azlo]

Re: 1968 Holiday Restoration w/pics

Well it seems i have a set of push rods. They are for a 1970 buick special 251 cid. Believe it or not oreilys had them. So bought them for 19$ vs the 30$ 40 $ plus shipping that marine parts usually are online. The rods themselfs are 5/16 (.312) diameter and 9.68 length. Many early GM vehicles had these. So with my rods on hand I started to bleed my lifters. Put them oil and pump them.

installed lifters, rods & rockers. and rough adjust.

Installed cover and ready for water pump. Hopefully tomorrow.

 

[sprintst]

Re: 1968 Holiday Restoration w/pics

Beautiful build man. At least you know what went into her as when you have it built you never know how thorough they were.

Looks great and you have picked up some deals on the tools as well

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1968 Holiday Restoration w/pics

So over my head, rats.

 

[Azlo]

Re: 1968 Holiday Restoration w/pics

So over my head, rats.

That's what I thought too at one time jasoutside, but i had to do a lot of reading. Plus we have a lot of experience people here. Im still crossing my fingers on this one. But i dont let it get to me I actually enjoy it.

 

[Azlo]

Re: 1968 Holiday Restoration w/pics

Beautiful build man. At least you know what went into her as when you have it built you never know how thorough they were.

Looks great and you have picked up some deals on the tools as well

Thanks Man. You need a tool when the job keeps asking. O least thats what I say.

 

[Azlo]

Re: 1968 Holiday Restoration w/pics

After the valve adjustemnt I went ahead and installed the valve cover.

Then went after the distributor.

took the point plate off.

Checked the weights and cleaned the rest of dist. Ready for some rebuilding.

Now the Fuel pump.

Took it apart,,,and this things is nasty!!

Maybe I should just buy a new or amybe I can buy a kit. Will see.

 

[Azlo]

Re: 1968 Holiday Restoration w/pics

Now i was in the experimentation mood. That fuel pump I have is expensive for a new one. So was able to cross refrence it to a automotive fuel pump!!!. Yeap an automotive fuel pump. I couldnt find a rebuild kit and a new one is almost $100 bucks. Witch some help of my buddies at Auto zone I was able to match it to a 79 nova fuel pump (6 cyl).

This is the part number

Look at how they similarly look.

Now I know that if this doesnt work I will look like a fool. But as always great ideas come from a lot of failures. Marine pump $100 vs Auto pump $22

 

[Azlo]

Re: 1968 Holiday Restoration w/pics

Jumped over now to the distrubitor. Sandblasted the aluminum cover. Nice.

Cleaned the points plate, had a lot hard old grease.

Reasembled with new points and condensor.

Set points at .022" & checked at all for lobes.

Moving on. I thought i would have this thing running by now.