Gen 2 SCAB makeover…totally not ripping off Geoff’s 2.5 build!

[91Eunos]

Having choices is a good problem to have!

 

[91Eunos]

Had to take care of some medical appointment issues with my MIL today, so only had about an hour to work on the truck. Mostly just cleaned up and put away my tools, and started sorting parts to keep, and what to pitch.

Since I had the cam covers out looking for cracks earlier, I went ahead and pulled the rest of the stuff bolted to them to transfer over to the new ones when they get in and after I paint ‘em. This plate for the high pressure fuel pump needs to be cleaned up, and maybe anodized. I got a guy for that!



Speaking of that, I did a quick test fit of the Nostrum pump that’ll be going in:



Note to self on how the cam has a pin that rides in this notch in the housing (housing doubles as cam caps):



That roller cam rides on the triangular-shaped lobe of the RH exhaust cam to drive the pump:



After that, I used a razor blade, and then a brass wire wheel to get the approximately 742 pounds of gasket material off the rear main seal plate! LoL



And knocked out the seal while I was at it:



Needed it cleaned up to bolt up to the block, along with the main caps and girdle windage tray to ship it off to have the block align honed, etc. and then built up with new rods, pistons, etc.

Almost ready to go…still have a couple gallery plugs to pull, and still need to get all the parts together that need to go to the machine shop with the block:



Need to finalize that plan and get all the other parts ordered too like the Gen3 crank, ARP studs, etc. too. Starting to feel like I’m simultaneously getting pulled in all directions, and running around like my hair’s on fire! LoL



Good thing I’m “retired” and have all this time, eh? LoL

 

[full-race geoff]

Need to finalize that plan and get all the other parts ordered too like the Gen3 crank, ARP studs, etc. too.

I think the machine shop can probably supply that stuff for you. no need to order yourself unless you have a compelling reason

Starting to feel like I’m simultaneously getting pulled in all directions, and running around like my hair’s on fire!

After doing this stuff full time for 23 years, its rarely easy and not always fun in the moment. whenever youre feeling overwhelm it's best to take a step back and try to enjoy the journey. And then if you put in perspective the alternatives of 8k for an oem longblock with cast pistons or 14k+ for a brand name motor that doesnt have these features... i think you're doing well. plus you'll have the peace of mind that comes along with doing everything methodically and thoughtfully on your own lift in your home garage. that's pretty incredible in and of itself

 

[dillard09]

Also i have a set of head gaskets if you need them. They should work for you i think. They are for stock to 95mm bore.
I bought these in hopes that my old block was a head gasket issue. Now they are just sitting on my shelf.

So here is another reason not to mess with RMB. Well i pulled the package apart and was going to look at these custom head gaskets with fire rings that RMB sent me. Just to have a look at them and see what would be different from the stock ones. And if you could possible use them.
Well turns out I was sent stock head gaskets from him. I paid almost $300 ($333.29 after shipping) for a pair of head gaskets that run less than $50 each. WTF!!
So if you need some stock head gaskets I'm your man. I wont f*ck ya like i was!

 

[full-race geoff]

was machining done to the inner bore of the gasket or something special? Maybe post a photo of the gasket ?

 

[dillard09]

was machining done to the inner bore of the gasket or something special? Maybe post a photo of the gasket ?

The packages don't look like they were ever opened. But I can just to verify.
I opened one and here is what it looks like.

 

[full-race geoff]

Oem gen 3 gasket. Great head gasket, and it should have been in your engine the entire time, would have been a different animal entirely.

Im sorry you had to go through all that insane levels of frustration. Glad you did not throw in the towel

 

[dillard09]

Oem gen 3 gasket. Great head gasket, and it should have been in your engine the entire time, would have been a different animal entirely.

Im sorry you had to go through all that insane levels of frustration. Glad you did not throw in the towel

Yes sir! I love this truck! If i had to I would throw an LS in it before I give up on her! Ha!

 

[full-race geoff]

I would throw an LS in it

you spelled "7.3L" funny

 

[91Eunos]

Actually “worked” today, LoL… Helping out my wife’s office with part time project management stuff until they get caught up on their backlog; basically working for free, but it’s zero stress and it gets me out of the house one or two days a week.

Pretty set on shipping my block plus mains out to a guy @full-race geoff hooked me up with. I’m about to respond to his email with specifics, but basically doing a 700hp level build. I’ll have more fuel and air than that level once all is said and done, but it’s always good to run below the max threshold unless you’re racing…and this ain’t a race truck!

I did come home to a new Lube Locker gasket for the Ford 8.8” diff cover I grabbed a couple weeks ago, so I do have a small project after I get the block shipped out to be built up.



And while I was dropping that on the bench, I looked a bit closer at the cams because those marks on the lobes caught my eye in the light:



They actually don’t look too bad considering the mileage, but I can definitely feel an indentation on the flat part of the cam lobes. Obviously doesn’t change the lift, but I think all that high-speed up and down motion will accelerate wear on the followers and lifters.

Maybe? I’m not an expert though…anyone here have thoughts on this?

Here’s another pic; every lobe on all 4 cams are about the same:



I’m already so far over budget, that I may as well order new cams too, eh? Damn, this truck’s gettin’ expensive! Thought I was past all that when I paid it off! LoL