As long as there is free play in the rocker arms, you will be ok. It will just make a lot of noise and not run at full potential, but no damage.

 

If you're doing all this work, might as well do it right the first time. Always go for for full potential,
especially if it doesn't cost you anything.

Always check the clearances at least; they might be way off.

 

I don't disagree. I just did a good job getting a nice seal on the valve cover gasket and didn't want to have to take it back off. I will once I get everything hooked up in the engine bay.

 

So today was the day I was going to start the car... but then as I was putting in the coolant some started to leak out of the water pump. I knew this was a possibility because I didn't replace most of the gaskets. Since I spent a little over $1000 on the last rebuild a 1000 miles ago I figured I would see if anything leaked and replace those parts. So for the 6987342957 time... Hoping for a start on Wednesday

 

Hate those hard to reach gaskets. New gaskets are key to a long healthy life in a rebuild; like my tuner said
"you get as much out of it as you put into it".

Crossing fingers for a start on Wednesday :cheers:

 

Thanks. Going through a really hard time... my girlfriend and I just broke up so I've lost some of my motivation but plan on trying to get it started my tomorrow night. I figure I can install the new water pump gasket then adjust my valve lash and put the muffler on so I can see what it sounds like.

I'll keep you guys posted.

 

The car is running! It seems to be just fine, no leaks or anything. Smells a little rich though... I'll post up a video in an hour or so.

 

It sounds funny on the video camera. Everything sounded just fine in person. Now to go to the exhaust shop to install my muffler.

 

sweet, that engine started up smooth and quick

 

Well now that I have put some miles on the car I'm ready to take it to the track. I'm going to take it to my local drag strip on Friday and see if it goes any faster. Before I rebuilt this engine and modified the exhaust my fastest time was a 15.78 at I believe 88 mph. I averaged around a 15.8 -16.0

When I took my car to the muffler shop to have the cat back exhaust installed I decided to have them fit the stock muffler to it so that I'm quite when I'm not at the track. I also had them make my a little turn down pipe that just eliminates the muffler.

When I was ordering parts for the engine rebuild I picked up a plastic velocity stack and just got done running the piping so that it will go out the passenger side headlight. As you can see in one of the pictures I was able to relocate the radiator overflow to an AC bracket so that the intake pipe clears.

I still need to polish the one remaining headlight so that I can drive home at night still.The track it open Friday nights starting at 3 and closing at 9 so headlights are a must.





What do you guys think? I should have some video of a couple of runs at the track when I get back.