Catstang's motor is in.

Well I have been Playing with the Motor from catstang,
The running hot was tested out to be a slow leaking Head gasket
blowing air into the cooling system.

While it has been sitting I collected some parts to put on it.

A 390 radiator, Flowtech ceramic headers,Rv cam, Air gap intake.

Pulled the motor/trans and went to work on it.
the headgasket on #8 was a small leak thru spot caught in time before it did any real damage.

So while it was apart I did a check and replace of seals and gaskets.
rear main was leaking, valve stem seals were hard as a rock, valves guides and faces good.
bearing and rings all in good shape.

Had a real pain in the rear getting the power steering hoses to clear headers,
think the rams bellow is too close and will need a cover tho.
Reworked some of the wiring and replaced all the hose's.

Put a pressure test on the cooling system,
Popped a 3/16 hole in the timing cover. coolant pouring out.

Well at least it did not happen while I was going to breakin the cam. And it is in a spot that can be reached for a patch job.
Seems like even the best thought thru plans get messed up.

Yea their like me Old time.

Well after repairing the coolant leak, I finally got to fire it up.
It sounded like a bad Briggs &Straton lawn mower.

Nothing I did would make it smooth out, rechecked valve lash,
timing, carb, leaks ect.
Just would not come togeather.
Shades of Crushnut's eng coming to mind.

A Low budget fix up has flushed the drain.

This should work, So pull the valve covers and Old school run and adjust the rockers. After a couple passes across them,
It got down to 1 too loose and 1 too tight.
found them and as soon as they were adjusted it smoothed out and responds great.
Even with the Made in China intake.

Sometimes the directions are not always correct.