AMC401 Build for itselliot

[SC/397]

Progress: I got the short block assembled last night. Nice shinny parts!



The timing gear wasn't too bad. Didn't have to move the slot over much to line up with the can oil hole.

[Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81]

Is that the later AMC blue?

[SC/397]

No, it is just a base coat of Torque"N"Teal. I will spray a couple of coats of AMC Blue after I get it put together.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/shw-de1643

[bwwhaler]

Watching intently, waiting to get a 401, hopefully in June.... Love your builds..

[SC/397]

Worked on the Timing Cover and Oil Pump Cover last night. The timing cover had water in it at one time so I carefully got the corrosion cleaned out and lapped the gasket surface.

I ran a tap through all of the threaded holes to make sure that everything goes together well.

Oil Pump Cover: Started with 80 grit wrapped around a file and spent about 10 min to get it to this level.


Spent another 10 min with 150 grit and got it to this level.

Spent another 5 min with 320 and got it to this level. At this point, it is probably as good as the factory finish. Up until now I sand in a cross-hatch motion. The key is to keep it as flat as possible.


Finally with the use of WD40 or Liquid Wrench, I wet-lap the surface with 400 or 500 grit sandpaper. I lap it in a circular motion.

[yossarian19]

Beautiful work.
I'd ask how much one of your 401's costs, but you know the saying, if I have to ask...
I appreciate the craftsmanship you are putting into this. Thanks for sharing!

[SC/397]

This is not my full time job so, it's cheaper than you think! That is why I am always busy.

[cma]

Great professional work!

[SC/397]

Thanks! I try..
1/4"-20 x 3/8" nut and bolt to replace the plastic button that the factory puts on. I use Loctite on the threads.


I make sure I have all the right bolts for the water pump and timing cover before I bolt things together. This is where I find out that I am out of 1/4" lockwashers and have to make a trip to town..
I make sure that the water pump impeller doesn't scrub the timing cover without a gasket in place. I install the water pump to the cover first then, the cover to the block.

With the timing cover in place and the gasket trimmed where it meets the block it is time to install the oil pick up screen.

I spin the pick up screen on until it is tight and it will clear the oil pan with no gasket in place.

[babywag]

That water pump impeller rub is a real buzzkill. Pretty common as well, it has gotten me once. Now I check before everytime like you!

[SC/397]

Any time I put RTV on gaskets I just snug the bolts down and let it set over night. The next day I tightened all of the water pump bolts, timing cover bolts and oil pan bolts.
Oil Pump: I pack the cavity full of petrolium jelly before it put the gears in.

Then I push the gears in and let the petrolium jelly flow around them.

Then I clean off the excess the best I can.

I spray a light coat of copper coat on the gasket before I put the oil pump cover on.
I Bolted the heads on and got a couple coats of paint on it last night. I like to paint them upside down first so that i get paint on the bottom edge of the heads and everywhere else that you can't get to when it is right side up.

[wiley-moeracing]

did you verify that the dampner and waterpump clear before painting?

[SC/397]

Yea, we are using the GMB water pump. I have never had a problem with those. It is usually the re-pop cast iron ones that have the issue.

[cma]

every update very impressiv!

[SC/397]

She is ready to prime the oil pump now..