Machine Work Done!

Post date: Feb 26, 2012 11:56:54 PM

Hauled everything back from the machine shop yesterday. All in all, it looks really good. They didn't write down all the measurements, so I'm trying to beg/borrow/steal a set of micrometers and gauges to double check everything. From what the shop was saying, I expect it to go together well.

There's lots of pictures, so just head to the 403 build gallery. I need to scan in the balance card also. The balancing was definitely interesting. There are only a couple extra holes in the crank. He said the Powerforce balancer was quite a lot heavier than the stock, so he cut down the counterbalance. Here's that part:

Those big holes weren't there before! He also had to knock just a bit out of the flexplate. They put in the freeze plugs and threw on viton valve stem seals. We had a good laugh when I told him that I just left my seals at home.

Zero decking went pretty well. Both sides were cocked, with the rear deeper than the front. One side was about 30 thou down, the other about 26. Better than the block I tore down with el-cheapo 30 over pistons that were 50 thou down!

They also put the cam in for a test fit, and polished the journals. He noted that the cam was unusually straight and well balanced. Thanks, Lunati!

So even though there were lots of surprises - two bad rods, lots of balancing, adding the valve job and seals, setting up the springs, polishing the cam journals, etc, the final bill was only $150 over the initial estimate. Huge thanks! As long as it all runs, I'll be the happiest kid on the block.