DollyDodge Posted October 25, 2014 Author Report Posted October 25, 2014 I am doing the best I can with the situation. Those free with criticism don't know all the details. I feel bad enough as it is, but the engine is almost done, and that is all that matters to me at this point. I can't change the situation. The water pump was rebuilt by VPW, its surface is flat as is the block. I posted the photos of the fix because one member asked me too, I forget who it was. I appreciate all the great help in this forum, and the support from the majority of the people 1 Quote
Jerry Roberts Posted October 25, 2014 Report Posted October 25, 2014 Thanks for posting the fix , that is very interesting and may help another guy in the future . Quote
Dave72dt Posted October 25, 2014 Report Posted October 25, 2014 (edited) Only criticism I had was the engine builder's time frame, nothing against the quality, and you're right, I know nothing of the circumstances and details that required such a lengthy build time other than some parts that were difficult to source. I look forward to hearing it's installed and running. I'll have to be patient too. Edited October 28, 2014 by Dave72dt Quote
BigDaddyO Posted October 26, 2014 Report Posted October 26, 2014 (edited) ... Edited October 26, 2014 by BigDaddyO Quote
DollyDodge Posted November 5, 2014 Author Report Posted November 5, 2014 I went by the shop today and the engine is nearly ready to paint. He will adjust the valves, take the headers off (they are just sitting on the engine in the picture), I will then paint it. He will put the headers on, distributor, flywheel, distributor, and bell housing and then I will take it home. The plan is to put it back in the truck over my 2 week Christmas Holiday. It looks really nice. I hope I can get it all put back together, and rewired, and running. All the internal engine stuff (oil filter, horns, generator, starter, etc) has been reparied (where needed) and repainted. So the engine area will look like new. I have all new wiring, and rebuilt gauges. It will be 3 years to the date if I actually get it back in the truck over Christmas. Keep your fingers crossed that it all works out. 5 Quote
Jeff Balazs Posted November 6, 2014 Report Posted November 6, 2014 Yeah! Can't wait to hear good old Dolly Dodge is back on the road. Things just haven't been quite right without her. Jeff 1 Quote
John-T-53 Posted November 6, 2014 Report Posted November 6, 2014 Wow, lookin' good there Rob... hopefully you get it together in time so you could potentially drive Dolly over the Sierras for the Clements BBQ next spring! 2 Quote
DollyDodge Posted November 18, 2014 Author Report Posted November 18, 2014 My friends. Dolly Dodge's engine is near completion. Today I am painting it. I got the first coat (POR15) on this morning and this afternoon will put the engine enamel coat on. I can't believe the thing is almost done. All that is left is installing the manifold, flywhell, and bell housing and then I take it home. Been a long three years! The engine really is pretty all painted up. I have two weeks off around Christmas and that is when I plan to get the engine back in the truck and hopefully running with a minimal amout of problems (this is my first engine to remove and reinstall). It is so very exciting to finally be at this point. 3 Quote
B1B Keven Posted November 18, 2014 Report Posted November 18, 2014 Contrats!! Light at the end of a long tunnel. PS. Have you happened to run into David Harris? Quote
DollyDodge Posted November 18, 2014 Author Report Posted November 18, 2014 Keven, I haven't visited with David in a lone time, but I see his wife and him driving around the area. We just don't seem to cross pathes in person. Quote
Jeff Balazs Posted November 18, 2014 Report Posted November 18, 2014 Contrats!! Light at the end of a long tunnel. Ditto! But I would bet he would rather be pouring oil in the end of a long funnel. Can't wait for the next installment of the Adventures of Dolly Dodge! Jeff 1 Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted November 19, 2014 Report Posted November 19, 2014 Do You have your flywheel bolts, washers and nuts all ready to go? Quote
DollyDodge Posted November 19, 2014 Author Report Posted November 19, 2014 (edited) The flywheel is ready to put back on. It looks gorgeous, all shinny and refinished. One of the problems we ran into when we took the engine apart was someone had arc welded the flywheel nuts to the flywheel, and nuts to the bolts. So the machine shop had great fun getting it off. He got new bolts, and got the flywheel in great shape. Also Attached are photos with the engine enamel coat on. It really is stunning. The other fun thing that happened was he convinced me to get the distributor rebuilt, which was a good idea. He opened the box the other day that came from the distributor rebuild shop and it had a jeep distributor in it, so he called them and they were glad to hear from him becasue they couldn't figure out who they had sent the jeep one to, mine was still in their shope and is now being rebuilt. If it isn't one thing it is another! But it doesn't matter the end is in sight!!!!!!! Edited November 19, 2014 by DollyDodge 3 Quote
HanksB3B Posted November 20, 2014 Report Posted November 20, 2014 (edited) Wow that flywheel looks hypnotic! This guy may have taken forever but all his machining seems top notch. Won't be too long now, Hank Edited November 20, 2014 by HanksB3B Quote
pflaming Posted November 20, 2014 Report Posted November 20, 2014 "It won't be too long now" is what the monkey said when he got his tail caught in the lawn mower. lol Quote
HanksB3B Posted November 20, 2014 Report Posted November 20, 2014 (edited) I thought there was a drought over your way Paul... Hank Edited November 20, 2014 by HanksB3B Quote
DollyDodge Posted December 13, 2014 Author Report Posted December 13, 2014 Well my friends, it looks like I get to take my engine home next week. I can't believe it is done. Almost three years to the date since we pulled it. 2 Quote
HanksB3B Posted December 13, 2014 Report Posted December 13, 2014 I guess things just take longer in the desert. Good luck and keep on rolling, Hank 1 Quote
Jeff Balazs Posted December 13, 2014 Report Posted December 13, 2014 Please post photos of your progress as it goes back together. We are all pulling for you. This may just be the event of the holiday season. Jeff 2 Quote
DollyDodge Posted December 23, 2014 Author Report Posted December 23, 2014 Dolly Dodge is a happy girl today, her engine is finally back in place! I was beginning to wonder if it was ever going to happen, 3 years to th date that I took it out. 4 Quote
ggdad1951 Posted December 23, 2014 Report Posted December 23, 2014 AWESOME! Can't wait to see a video of it running! Quote
DollyDodge Posted December 24, 2014 Author Report Posted December 24, 2014 Here is a link to putting the engine back in. 4 Quote
pflaming Posted December 24, 2014 Report Posted December 24, 2014 You might wish you had put on the starter before you put that engine in the frame. That is one of the toughest single tasks on the truck, IMHO. It looks fantastic. You gonna bring it to the 8th Annual BBQ? Quote
ggdad1951 Posted December 24, 2014 Report Posted December 24, 2014 You might wish you had put on the starter before you put that engine in the frame. That is one of the toughest single tasks on the truck, IMHO. It looks fantastic. You gonna bring it to the 8th Annual BBQ? agreed, but one of the wrenches that are curved would make it easier. Quote
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