homer41 Posted May 4, 2019 Report Share Posted May 4, 2019 The question is should I assemble now or later? I got my engine back from the machine shop, the only thing that they did as far as assembly was to install cam bearings and put the cam in and the lifters and the valves. They did that as a present for taking so long in doing the machine work. I do not plan on running the engine for many month up to a year, should I assemble now or when I am more ready to run it? I wiped the cylinders down with oil and did the same to about everything. I guess it comes down to is it better off sitting disassembled or assembled, maybe 6 of one half a dozen of the other. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted May 4, 2019 Report Share Posted May 4, 2019 Were it me I would assemble now. A year from now you may not remember how it goes together. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharps40 Posted May 4, 2019 Report Share Posted May 4, 2019 (edited) Check the valve guides for proper installation and assemble it. Would be nice to have seen the guides and cam bearings go in to validate correct installation and clearances but probably about you can do is look down in the appropriate open valve to see if the guides are installed one up one down. Run it in if you can, either way, pickle it and close off all the openings till you're ready to use it. Edited May 4, 2019 by Sharps40 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eneto-55 Posted May 4, 2019 Report Share Posted May 4, 2019 I faced the same question 35 + years ago. Except I don't recall asking that question, because I thought I'd be running it before too long. Marriage and living outside of the States kept me from it. Still haven't started it..... (People tell me I should go through it again now, before starting it. So who knows?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Elder Posted May 4, 2019 Report Share Posted May 4, 2019 Joe Flannagan rebuilt his engine first and took too long to fire it up.....years.....it had to be torn down again to run properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted May 4, 2019 Report Share Posted May 4, 2019 your call...will the machine shop stand behind their work till you assemble and test it? odds ae they will not....something to consider... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andydodge Posted May 4, 2019 Report Share Posted May 4, 2019 Homer........I'd assemble it if your have everything available, as Don says, leaving it unassembled only increases the chance of something being forgotten or whatever............assemble it and at least you then know that its ready to go..........have you got somewhere to ensure its kept nice & warm as I notice you are in Alaska............lol...........andyd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Los_Control Posted May 4, 2019 Report Share Posted May 4, 2019 2 minutes ago, Andydodge said: have you got somewhere to ensure its kept nice & warm as I notice you are in Alaska............lol...........andyd Heck, I would build a engine stand and run the motor to create heat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homer41 Posted May 5, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2019 All good thoughts, I may go ahead and assemble while I still remember most of it, the machine shop had it for over a year. With any luck it may be installed within a year. I just got the frame back from blasting and painting. I am going to stop work on it for the summer, I have lots of outside things I want to do, the car can wait for bad weather. I do have it in a heated building. Dav Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrwrstory Posted May 5, 2019 Report Share Posted May 5, 2019 Yes, assemble then make a stand and fire it up. Always a thrill for me. That way you know it runs and you can fired it on occasion to impress visitors who are curious about progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andydodge Posted May 5, 2019 Report Share Posted May 5, 2019 Los Controls got the right idea.........use it as the central heating........lol............andyd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hickory Posted May 5, 2019 Report Share Posted May 5, 2019 I to would assemble and fire it up. What if you had an issue and had to send it back to the machine shop. It may be another year to get it back. So that's 2 years, and carry the one. That's to long.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted May 5, 2019 Report Share Posted May 5, 2019 I made a wooden stand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave72dt Posted May 6, 2019 Report Share Posted May 6, 2019 Assemble it while you can still find everything and put it in the chassis. It makes an excellent storage/run stand 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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