Orange and White 73 Grabber Restoration

VERY nice!

 

Thanks guys for the compliments. I am really disappointed about the aluminum oil pan though. I had my heart set on using it. I am checking to see if I can get some smaller diameter nuts so if I shift it over I still might be able to get them in. I had to use studs and nuts to mount it since the oil pan flange is 3/8" thick and the gasket 1/8" thick. Stock bolts where not long enough. If the girdle I have installed hits it I might look at grinding the bump inside the oil pan and the girdle a little for some additional clearance. I have not quite given up hope on it yet.

If anybody has any ideas on the accessory brackets and pulleys, I am open to suggestions.

Thanks
Allen Small

 

That's a nice looking engine Allen! Can't wait to see it in the car!

 

Could you enlarge the holes on both side of the pan then use a round head allen bolt?

 

I think I would only need to enlarge the holes on one side to get it to shift over. The problem is when it does shift over the bolts on the other side get closer to the side of the oil pan which means they would need to be a smaller diameter to still work.
I found out that the cast aluminum oil pan is made in China last night. That explains why the casting of the hole locations are off. I am going to try and work on it some more this weekend to see if I can get it to work. Finding the right diameter bolt/nut will be the real challenge.

 

Well I have been hitting road block after road block with this project. I have been fighting trying to get the pulleys and all to align properly and finally succeeded in getting that straightened out for the most part. Found out I had the wrong spacer for the harmonic balancer. I did manage to get my aluminum oil pan all bolted up by just enlarging the bolt holes on each side and shifting over along just using nuts on the one side since there was not enough room for a washer too. plus with a little grinding to clear the girdle installed and it was looking looking good and I was very happy about that. Then I decided to rotate the assembly just to check things out. Boy was I disappointed! The motor would rotate so far then stop. I thought oh well, at least I tried. So I took that pan off and put a stock pan back, the same thing. Come to find out that the stock oil pan and this T Shaped aluminum oil pan are not stroker clearanced. So the crank was bottoming out on the pan. Now I need to chase down an oil pan that has been stroker clearenced for this beast. I will get this thing running one day. It is just frustrating to have little issues like this shut you down till you can chase the right parts and get them ordered. All my parts should be in by this Friday.
I will never ever build another motor one piece at a time like I have this one. a piece from here and a piece from there. It is too hard to make sure everything works together. The bad part is when you buy something from some one and they tell you it fits this and that only to find out it does not. I saved a lot of money by piece milling it together, but I also spent a lot of many on parts that were for the wrong application because I trusted people when they say oh yeah, this will fit or work with that. Best thing to do is your own research and dont take anybody's word for it until you have done your research.
I am done ranting for now. Thanks for listening!!

Allen Small

 

What stroker motor are you going with? I have the stock oil pan with my 347.

 

Well, that sucks.... If you need help let me know. 3 months until roundup. Gotta have it running to make the car show.

 

Coop, you mean that I can't pull it in on a trailer? That way I can make it a Round Up project and get everyone to help me on it. LOL

 

Craig,

It is a 427 stroker kit which indicated that it had a 4" stroke. In looking at summits website, I have found a stock pan that is stroker clearanced to 4.1". I think that should work. I have seen them on their site with 3.8" clearance noted.

 

You are right research it yourself to see if it will work That is the only way I do things anymore saves a lot of time and angervation.

 

Never thought of that. Good idea! Then you'll know it's done right....LMAO

 

Yours wouldn't be the first. We have a reputation of working on member's cars out in the parking lot.

 

I have not updated this thread in awhile. So I thought I might better add something. I have made some progress on the car. The motor and Tranny are in and bolted in place, reinstalling the rack n pinion steering unit now. Then the headers which I plan to finish this weekend if possible. All I can say, is everything is very tight. Not much room for anything else.
I can not hardly wait to hear this thing run. It has been 7 years in the making.

Thanks
Allen Small

 

Hello Allen:
Been reading your posts .. Nice work ! I installed 68 Mustang BackUp Lights on my Comets with just a slight bit
of trimming of the frame are .. You can see them on my website www.cameoclub.com in the Restomod Section if
you're interested . I've done Four Comets so far with good results. Just my observation.
Chip