So my long term block build is really starting to move along. After what has to be nearly a record for “COVID” delays the long block should finally be coming home from the machine shop and should be pure y block porn. This is likely my last build and it’s going into a

Mike, still lovin his 57 t'bird after 53 years!

Sorry for the break Model A. Polished 471 machined LS H beam rods nitrided truck crank. Will post pictures of the build and hopefully the progress. I am getting really excited after so many delays. MIKE

Mike, still lovin his 57 t'bird after 53 years!

Sounds like a fun build.

Durham Missouri

Small victory Cloyes timing set came today, with COVID delays whenever anything comes on time it seems like a miracle. MIKE

Mike, still lovin his 57 t'bird after 53 years!

More parts arriving today! New starter motor and power steering pump Rock Auto.com came through when my old go to NAPA had nothing for me.

Mike, still lovin his 57 t'bird after 53 years!

Was at the machine shop today inspecting parts for the 292 build. Saw the finished crank counter weights cut to balance the lighter piston/rod combination. Wish there was a plexiglass pan. Mike

Mike, still lovin his 57 t'bird after 53 years!

Bad news Cloyes timing chain loose and floppy, they say U.S. made but some of the parts are evidently made elsewhere. Here’s hoping the next chain and gears double roller supposedly U.S. made will be better. Just part of the adventure! MIKE

Mike, still lovin his 57 t'bird after 53 years!

Manufacturing variance plays into the loose chain scenario. You can try another chain set made on a different day or by another manufacturer to see if you can get a tighter set.  Another possiblity lies in the camshaft/crankshaft centerline measurement.   If the block has been align bored or align honed, that measurement will shorten up making the chain having more slack than normal.  Blocks that have been align bored/honed more than once can really get tricky on getting a chain set that’s not sloppy loose.  Rollmaster at one time made timing sets that were up to 0.008" shorter in 0.002" increments for the Ford Y but I have not seen those for sale for a number of years now.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Thanks Ted we looked at the crank to cam dimension and it was reportedly within tolerance. Hopefully the next chain and gear set will be better. Seems like it will just be part of the adventure of building anything but a SBC. All advice truly welcomed! MIKE

Mike, still lovin his 57 t'bird after 53 years!

If CLOYES has gone South (or west in this case), what manufacturer is recommended for a quality timing set?

EDIT - SAT Morning 0600 HRS -

Ted,

If you are taking your morning coffee and perusing ...
Has CLOYES quality gone down? What about MELLING and is ISKY made in-house?

Can I ask what you use/recommend during a non- performance rebuild?

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