All mains torqued to spec.  Rear main seal is installed with silicone sealer everywhere, but sparingly. Seal is rotated in the block and the cap to expose 3/8" of seal on one side leaving a 3/8" cavity on the other.  This gives a solid seal at the block and cap parting line.  Oh, yes, place the lip towards the oil.






Charlie Burns Laton, Ca (South of Fresno)



BurnsRacing981@gmail.com

The crankshaft is in and the main caps are set in place.  The center main with the thrust bearing is torqued to spec first.  This allows the end play to be checked and if it is not in spec, unbolting and slightlly moving the cap before torquing it again will change the end play and perhaps enough to get into spec. 




Charlie Burns Laton, Ca (South of Fresno)



BurnsRacing981@gmail.com

No apology necessary.  Tim does good work and that’s alone speaks for itself.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Some might wonder why Tim isn't involved with the re-assembly of this engine.  First, I would love to have Tim involved, but he is 600 miles away now as I have moved to Oregon.  Remember, I'm trying to remedy the problem I encountered with the engine being so terribly difficult to rotate after I relieved the cylinders with the pistons still installed.  There may have been other issues, like solidified assembly lube as this engine sat for quite a few years, but no matter, this is going to be a great engine.

I have been doing most all of the assembly work myself with the guidance and sharing of special machinery from a local engine builder.  He is also a race car owner and driver on the circle track courses.  While there are a stream of flatheads going out of his shop, MELs, FEs, and a few Y-Blocks find their way here too.  However, he is not a Ford owner of anything and we poke fun at each other all day long.  Did I mention I was having fun with this engine?


Charlie Burns Laton, Ca (South of Fresno)



BurnsRacing981@gmail.com

Just a precautionary polish on the crank as it has been out of the block for some time.  I am so happy with Tim McMaster's crank work.  the 292 steel crank is stroked and the journals are cut down to accept 1.850 rod bearings.  The journal surfaces are rolled into the counter weights and the leading edges and outer surfaces of those counterweights are nicely machined and smoothed.  His balancing of the rotating assembly is second to none (sorry Ted).





Charlie Burns Laton, Ca (South of Fresno)



BurnsRacing981@gmail.com

The mains are all miked and within tolerance.





Charlie Burns Laton, Ca (South of Fresno)



BurnsRacing981@gmail.com

Hi, Chuck.  You made reference to the previous pickups being yellow and perhaps this one will be yellow as well.  Well.......maybe not.  This is an old school build and sometimes I picture a different color scheme.  The number 981 will always be on any car I build, but that's because the number belongs to the owner, not the car.  We'll see what color comes to the top of the list.



Charlie Burns Laton, Ca (South of Fresno)



BurnsRacing981@gmail.com

The cam is now in.  There is lots of assembly grease of course, but special care must be taken when re-installing the camshaft that was used in this engine previously.  It is essential that all the lifters be placed with the original matching lobes.  It is quite possible to mate up a lifter with a different lobe and experience a failure.  This is caused when the different wearing surfaces fight each other until the lobe goes flat.




Charlie Burns Laton, Ca (South of Fresno)



BurnsRacing981@gmail.com

Cam bearings are in.  Yes, special care is needed to make sure all the oiling holes are lined up on the center bearing.  Restrictions are in the rocker towers in the receiving holes, but you need to make sure you have enough oil to restrict.  In the Y-Block Magazine's latest issue #166, a great read is Ted Eaton's article on "Top End Oiling Woes".  It is an excellent resource to follow before you attempt to install your cam bearings.






Charlie Burns Laton, Ca (South of Fresno)



BurnsRacing981@gmail.com

I see, so its just a nod and a wink to your pickup roots. I'm sure it will look great and in yellow I suppose?



Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire