Current Rebuild

The motor was rebuilt June 12th 1998, but after destroying two distributor gears I decided to have the block cleaned and checked. Unsatisfied with the machine work received from NORPA during the first rebuild I turned to Phil at CATON'S Machine Shop in Woodbridge VA instead. Some points that bothered me about the first rebuild were that the cam was not degree-ed in or advanced 4* as I requested, the crank thrust bearing was wearing prematurely, and frankly I just didn't like the guys attitude. Phil on the other hand was very informative and answered all my questions with detailed answers. He was more than happy to show me what ever I wanted to know. This is the kind of service and care I want given to my motor. Some one that treats it like his own. After taking the motor to Phil and finding out the main thrust bearing was wearing prematurely, I decided to have the motor completely rebuilt to avoid any new unforeseen problems as a result of the first rebuild. I decided to make the block stronger and more reliable. I had Phil install a Probe main girdle with ARP studs, a Melling High Volume oil pump and added new springs and bronze guides to my TFS heads. I had the block O-Ringed to allow me to run high boost pressures and nitrous. I wrapped the pistons in new Speed Pro rings and had the rods re-conditioned. This was something else NORPA did not do, or suggest that I should have had performed when the rod bolts were replaced. I also purchased a new Raybos harmonic balancer to finish off the motors high performance parts.

All the original rebuild parts were reused with the following exceptions:

• Federal Mogul Main, Rod, and Cam Bearings

• Speed Pro Piston Rings

• Probe Main Girdle w/ ARP Studs

• Bronze Valve Guides

• Crane High Performance Valve Springs

• Melling High Volume Oil Pump

• Fel Pro O-Ring Head Gaskets

• Raybos Harmonic Balancer

• Canton 7qt. Oil Pan w/ Probe oil pickup

• Stainless steel fasteners for Pan, Timing cover and Manifold

• Rods Re-Conditioned

• Balanced

• T5 Transmission Rebuilt

First pictures of the new motor. Almost all the machine work is finished. This was just after they cut the 1/2 inch  head stud holes in the block. Next step O-Ring the bores.

Here are my rebuilt TFS heads. 6/10/99

Here's a shot of the main curdle. 6/10/99

Here is a top view of the block after the O-ring cuts. 6/10/99

This is a close up of the O-rings cuts in the block.

                The crank.                                 The crank in the block. 6/16/99

The crank is in. 6/16/99

Close up shot of the chamfered oil holes in the crank. 6/16/99

The short block is complete. 6/22/99

 
Short block completed. 6/22/99

Small modification to the oil pump                                 Bottom end w/oil pump

Oil pump pickup                                               Head studs

O-ring close up shot                                New 7qt. Canton Oil pan
7/16/99

Top end is finished!                                                        7/29/99

Close up of my FMS 1.6 SVO Roller Rockers   7/29/99

Close up of port matched intake runner  7/29/99

Close up of the fitting for the Vortech blower.   I had the fitting welded into the pan instead of tapping it in. Motor is just about complete. We just ordered new stainless steel bolts for the pan, manifold, valve covers and timing cover.    8/7/99

 
Shot of Block!                                    Close up of New Balancer!

Engine on stand at home. 8/25/99

Manifold installed 12/15/99

Well, my long awaited Trick Flow valve covers are in. Here are a few shots of the covers on the motor.

2/22/00

Here are the lates picutrees of the motor as of Oct 2000.