Lead pipe copy

This reproduction oil pan is indistinguishable from the original, save for the sludge and the 356 dents in the one that came on this car.

This new one is worth every cent of what it cost.

Way a-head

The heads are back from the machine shop and they look great. Mechanically they are ready for installation.

It is a little disappointing that they were painted, but that was probably the machinist trying to do something nice for me. This is just spray paint and can be removed fairly easily. Having someone as talented as he is do this work is worth any small thing like this and then some.

This warranty bullet will have to removed before paint, but I am sure they will be fine and not need any warranty work.

One small thing today

With parts still on their way, backordered and the heads still at the shop, the only thing to do today was to restore the distributor clamp. Pretty boring, but we're at a stage that will be slow to see progress.

The last of the tasks

The final three freeze plugs and the head dowels are out of the engine block. It was a struggle, but worth it to save some labor at the machine shop.

A few parts, including a clutch inspection cover and intake manifold bolts, came in as well.

Timing

The seal for the timing cover is in. It, along with the reproduction bolts and the timing tab, will go into storage until the engine is ready for assembly.

In the middle of the road

About 10 years ago, this Snap-On piston hammer was laying in the middle of the highway before this guy scooped it up. It's not seen much use until today, but it came in clutch to drive out the pistons from the block.

These pistons will be set aside until this engine is being rebuilt since I would expect that the rods will be fine to reuse.

There is a little more scoring evident now that the pistons are out, but nothing very deep. The machine shop should be able to take care of this and get this block ready to rebuild.

Better than predicted

The intake manifold, once rusty, looks brand new again after a few days in acid and a little bit of elbow grease.

A die grinder and a few tools with wire-wheel attachments took of the remaining engine paint and left this looking shiny and new.

This will get a light coat of rust converter before being set aside.

Can't wait to see this under a shiny coat of orange paint.