Thanks for the heads up! Good reminder, going to need a drip pan as well, been meaning to pick one up!
Thanks for posting it up fella's! I'm going to go with that one vs. mine. No doubt some engineer came up with it way back when, I'd bet there was some logic to it as well. While I'm over at my Dad's tonight, I'll see if he has a scale I can borrow. I'd like to get these stabbed by the weekend.
So here’s my latest update. Not too happy with the progress but I’m going to move forward anyway. I went ahead and tried to balance my pistons, connecting rods and wrist pins. Unfortunately I’m about as close as I’m going to get with the equipment and scale that I have. The following figures are in grams and are likely within 2 grams of reality (the scale is for kitchens not machinists LOL, likely marginal at best). From 1-6: 1212, 1216, 1212, 1214, 1214, 1214. Keeping in mind that a single nut for the connecting rod weighs in at 6g. I’ve taken about all I’m willing or comfortable with taking off on number two. I think I’ve reached my “It is what it is” going to be moment. Next up, stabbing the pistons in the block…..
I got the final balancing completed, I went back over it and over it again. With the equipment I have I believe I’m within 2g of each other. Not exactly what I would call balanced at the professional level but for home built and the equipment I have I, think I’m going to have to be satisfied at this point. I went ahead and installed number one and did a preliminary head space measurement (I’ll do the final “official” measurement when I degree the cam). The prelim measurement is .022 of an inch. Tomorrow I’ll proceed with the rest of the cylinders and get some snaps along the way. By the way, I used a freshly discarded Folders plastic coffee jug to dip the piston assembly (good call Gene!). So far, it seems pretty useful because it has the plastic lid to keep the oil clean for the next dunk. Regards!
Pistons! Was able to get 6, 3 and 4 in this morning, should be able to complete the rest over ye weekend. Found that using the little black and decker table worked great, just opened the jaws wide enough to rest the piston skirts in (for reference, do not clamp). Made putting the rings on easy peasy. Oil Bath! Shot of number six. Used a little blue tape as protection. Plenty of lube, btw, this shot made me nervous.... YIKES! (don't drop, don't drop, don't drop!!) And three and four.
I did the pour and wiggle, think I got them pretty good but before I go to fire I'm going to prime the pump and make sure everything is getting plenty of lube. I was even thinking about doing a pump while the pan is off just so I can double verify the whole lower end is getting lubed like it should. I'tl be messy but I think worth the time and effort.
Not sure if you can see it but there are very small arrows that look like this ---> on each piston. I installed all of them pointing toward the front of the engine but if I'm wrong, I sure would like to catch it now before I take the next step. Let me know!
