Building a 500/400 F.F.E. with Mega-Squirt

[airfueleddie]

Thanks man, you wont be slowing me down. I appreciate all replies and ideas. I am no expert at anything cept breaking/blowing stuff up. BTW, I pick up the shortblock,(actually the bare machined block and stroker kit), at Indy next Sat the 1st of March, I cant wait to get it home and I,ll take some pics and post em here. Keep the input coming,  I,ve never done anything like this before and will need as much data as possible. Soon the Mega Squirt II, then various sensors/actuators, wiring harness, it's gonna get fired up on my stand,(In my shop), hopefully live feed, so you guys can see it live. I need a couple 14 yr. olds to operate some of this new equipment,Thanks, Eddie

[airfueleddie]

A quick update. I am still waiting from hughes engines for my finished machined block and his K-1 Stroker CPR kit made by Carillo,(K-1 Technologies). I dont have any MoPar specific machine shops in my area,(I checked, none had a torque plate, they all had torqueplates for a SB Chevy, hmm odd, LOL), anyways I was going to post some pics of our new SuperFlow Bench top and Goodson Cylinder head layout bench and Serdi machining center here at school, but my Vista wont accept my digi cams software?(It's very old and cheap, the digicam, not me, lol). Just got back from the hospital, my 51 yr. old knees need replaced bad, I wont do it, instead relying on Hylagan injections and steriod injections.

[Jacksboys]

Sorry to hear about your knees.

Don't give up, I love to how this turns out.   

[airfueleddie]

Sorry to hear about your knees.

Don't give up, I love to how this turns out.   

Thanks JacksBoys! I'm not going to give up thats for sure! I already have 900.00 in rocker arms and billet holddowns, ARP studs, billet valve covers and breathers and I havent even bought the heads yet! LOL!! I sure hope Hughes gets his work done. At first he was adamant about getting his stuff that was done out of the shop when it was paid for but the INDY show threw him for a loop, maybe in a couple weeks. Currently I am saving up for the MS PCM and sensors.

[airfueleddie]

Just checkin in. I ordered the girdle so it should be here soon then I can get started on the bottom end, and paint the block before assembly. I also ordered a con rod bolt stretch gauge. wow, 169.00 for the gauge! :biggrin:I was going to order a cheaper version than ARP's billet version but the incrememnts are only for .001,( one, thousandths), the ARP one is good for .0001,( one,ten thousandths). The ARP site and e-mail to them recommends .0075 on the specific alloy which is ARP 2000 installed in my rods. They also recommend if the fastener is .001 over or under the recommended pre-load to discard the fastener so I went with the more accurate gauge which is capable of measuring the correct pre-load on the fastener, while I would have to guess at the other dial indicator's reading for the extra .0005.

[airfueleddie]

I measured every part I could think of,(ie; blueprinting), the mains are at .0025 the rods the same. I am sending the bearings to Calico,(80.00), for the whole set of rod&mains, the pistons would be 39.00X8 almost 320.00 for all eight so I dont know if I am going to coat the pistons yet or not. I am thinking the chamber needs as much heat as possible due to the alcohol not being as thermally efficient as gas/race gas. What would any of you guys do as far as piston coatings? I really like and have heard good things about Mahle's Grafal proprietary coating but havent contacted them yet.

[airfueleddie]

Finally, some progress.

[airfueleddie]

I installed Brass petcocks on both sides to drain the block of coolant, if I ever have to yank the heads!

[Jacksboys]

Good idea, just make sure they are sealed well.   

[airfueleddie]

Thanks JacksBoy! Yeah I used some teflon tape and didnt overtighten it. Next thing I need to do is install the main studs,(4 long), (1 short on the #5 main cap). The crank, file fit the rings, rods&Piston, then Girdle for the bottom end.

[airfueleddie]

Here is a pic of the Calico coated bearings. It cost 88.00 for the whole lot! Not bad for cheap insurance when I screw up!

[airfueleddie]

Sorry I havent posted in a while but money has definitely become an issue. I am going to complete this project even if it kills me! :grinyes:Some progress today, I cleaned and chased all bolt holes, both blind and through with compressed air, WD-40, and bristle brushes from Moroso,(The engine cleaning kit), they have a nice variety of extra long bottle brushes that get all the way through the oil galleys, bolt holes, anywhere really. I installed the main bearings then the ARP studs which are made for the Hughes Engines Girdle. The block was honed with these studs and the stock main caps in anticipation of his girdle which will be used.

[Chryco Psycho]

looking good 
I have found the petcock will not work on one side of the block as it is too close tot he engine mount

[airfueleddie]

Thanks for the tip Chryco! I still have a plug and can put that back in, no problems. I have a "block package" kit coming from Mancini Racing but it's been on backorder.

[airfueleddie]

Gapping Piston Rings. Top ring specs at .020 while the second rings specs at .015 and oil control rings call for minimum of .015 so I'll use that. Sound OK?