Project 302 update

[robhaerr]

I just got a phone message from Walden Speed Shop letting me know the 'wagon is reassembled and ready to return to my garage to get the motor runnin'.

Since you guys seem to like this video series, here is a revisit to Project Day 3 where "we" assembled the rotating assembly. This is before the big-budget production opening and closing. I do notice that Vimeo cut off the last few minutes of the cognac tasting...pretty bummed about that, but there are some fun stories and a camshaft timing clinic...

https://vimeo.com/1296363

Harold's Dad worked for Isky cam in those early days and was part of the hot rod pioneer days out at the dry lake beds in California with all those guys.

Fun stuff that is making this project a pretty cool experience.

Cheers...
Rob
...trying to figure out what beverage we need to celebrate the firing-up of Project 302 and how to honor my buddy Steve for all his help with the engine over this project. Without him offering up this motor and the help, forget it.

[robhaerr]

I know you all have been wondering what's up...Walden Speed Shop now has room for another project on their lift. I enthusiastically recommend these guys if you have a hot rod project...great work that is quickly becoming legendary, extraordinarily nice people with a fun atmosphere...click here for the video...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1FWwsjxJKw

I should have gone with Aerostar springs in the front. The new 2" drop springs I got from Eaton make the car sit too high in front. Will be getting the Aerostar springs and having them installed while getting an alignment.

Lots of other tasks to get done before starting the 302 and getting driveable.

It's the journey, not the destination...at least that's what I keep tellin m'self.

Cheers...
Rob

[robhaerr]

First session after getting the 'wagon back to my house...click here...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMkBy1SVyPA

I am lucky to have friends who know how to do this stuff. I am learning a ton.

Cheers...
Rob

[robhaerr]

I have a feeling that you guys are just dyin' to know where we are with Project 302.

Well...grab your favorite beverage for a 14 minute, 17 seconds of electrifying drama!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwOGyyWVvbg

We are still having fun, making progress.

Cheers!
Rob

[gasman826]

The problem is:
- its over 90 degrees
- its been two hours
and you're still sucking on the same beer...more beer!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't ya' just love wiring.  For some reason, I find it fascinating.  Went I was working, I hogged all the electrical problems.

Getting the dome light and horn to work are major.  For some, those are the first thing to quite working and never do get fixed.

Super job.

[RICH MUISE]

Very entertaining..really enjoyed it....especially since I've been working some on my wiring. I'm really anxious to see how you like the 302..(what is the engine originally out of?), and particularly anxious to see how you like the Rack and pinion..
Rich

[robhaerr]

Rich...

My buddy Steve got this motor from the former VP of Edelbrock, Dawson Hadley. He explains in this video how he and his brother rebuilt it for a Cougar project 30 years ago, but never completed the project. It is bored over.060, Edelbrock mild cam, intake, 600 cfm carb...

https://vimeo.com/2009079

I have 22 episodes if you want to see the whole story from the day we unearthed the engine from Steve's garage 4 years ago. The first 9 episodes are posted on Vimeo...
https://vimeo.com/user531397/videos

...and you can search YouTube for "Project 302" for the rest up to date...or go to my YouTube channel where you will also find the band I play with and some other stuff...
http://www.youtube.com/user/robhaerr

Enjoy...there's nothing on TV anyway.

As far as the rack and pinion...I fear I will have a lumpy spot, but will really be able to evaluate after we get the car driving. Hope to fire the engine in the next couple of episodes.

Rob

[gasman826]

'lumpy spot'??

[Ford Blue blood]

U-joint bind under load......if you look back at the placement of the trunion bearing it it actually closer to the upper u-joint then it is to the double...or it looks like it to me in the pictures. 

RAWms (former member, now passed) and I had discussions on the placement of that support bearing in his Ranchero build.  We went PM with the discussion because another member of the board PMed him "it's going to be OK" and it turned out the setuo looked and worked fine with the car up in the air but developed "lumpy" spots when on the ground with the drive train in place.  He stated he had moved the location of the bearing closer to the double u-joint and it fixed the problem.  Unfortunately he got sick that evening and passed suddenly at 62, a couple of months after retireing, and never posted any follow-up pics or updates.  His wife was the person that posted the sad news a few weeks after it happened.

[robhaerr]

We will have to see what it's like when we have power.

[robhaerr]

We have the electrical juice flowing...should be ready for gasoline and belching fire soon...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFwKqzu4BsI

We have changed our mind and are going with a "one wire" alternator instead of old school regulator wiring and it won't arrive for another week or so. Dang, it's the only thing I have ever had to wait for from Summit Racing.

I am learning patience.

Rob

[robhaerr]

Our patience was tested yesterday. We had our share of trials and triumphs...

Here is part 1 of Day 24...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFhIuCyw6cg

...and part 2 with more suspense-filled drama...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JCAFepUhpQ

We were very bummed out to hear that one noisy push rod...then the rocker arm snapped in half. Time to tear into the top end. That push rod had "zero lash". Hoping for no other damage.

Advanced patience lessons.

[gasman826]

...and everything was going so good!  Keep after it, you'll get it.

[robhaerr]

Project 302 Day 25: "Success Without Conflict is Boring"

Opening up the top end to diagnose the broken rocker arm...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4aq8AdABGI

Basically, the rocker was bangin' on the rocker stud. The cam is mild...Edelbrock Performer 2122.

Scratching our heads.

Rob302

[62galxe]

Just trying to help out. read valve adjustment on bottom of page 2. good luck

http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_new/misc/tech_center/install/2000/2122.pdf