1971 Boss 351 Engine & Trans O/H

[71ProjectJunk]

When you reused the original camshaft did you also reuse the lifters? I am hoping that if you reused the lifter you had them marked as to exactly what lobe they came from.

 

[Stevieray]

Glad you were able to dodge as much of those storms as you did! Many were not as fortunate.

Based on your experience would you recommend Mission Speed? (I'm thinking it is the machine shop associated with Mission Auto Parts & Machine on Roosevelt Ave). I have a set of DOAE-N heads that need machining and have been researching machine shops in SATX. Finding a machine shop that knows 351Cs is not as easy as one would think!

Mission is who I used and I’ve been very satisfied with their work. John Hamilton is who I worked with. Comes highly recommended by the Boss 302 site. I’ve got a 70 Boss 302 I’m trying to remove the engine and get it to John before he retires. Johns a Cleveland block expert. Just too many irons in the fire right now for me.

 

[Stevieray]

When you reused the original camshaft did you also reuse the lifters? I am hoping that if you reused the lifter you had them marked as to exactly what lobe they came from.

I did mark them but decided to go with new. I’ve got a friend who has rebuilt engines for years and he could not believe the camshaft showed no wear at all. My engine guy said he saw no reason to replace it.

 

[Stevieray]

Engine is close to being back together. I managed to snap one of the throttle bracket bolts off in the intake. Working on removing it. Factory paint marks are more visible on the rear of the intake.

 

[Ron Tanzi]

Happy to see your house survived those storms. We have thankfully not been hit by a hurricane here in New England for a quite a while. What water pump brand did you use?

Ron

 

[Stevieray]

Ron…. I had a machine shop in Terrell, Tx. Rebuild the original pump.

 

[Stevieray]

Engine is pretty much back together. Paint will come later. Now back to working on the engine compartment.

 

[71ProjectJunk]

Looking good

 

[jpaz]

I would think twice about using those printo leak manifold gaskets, they can leak very easily. I have heard that from quite a few people.

 

[Stevieray]

I would think twice about using those printo leak manifold gaskets, they can leak very easily. I have heard that from quite a few people.

Too late now. Have not had any issues so far.

 

[Stevieray]

Now I’m back to work on the engine compartment. Fitting the front two side panels in. You can see the rust bubble in the old drivers side panel, prior to removal.

 

[Stevieray]

Weather warmed up. Let’s spray some paint. Primed engine compartment and sprayed the engine and a few other items. This is all after a lot of time spent on hand prepping the engine compartment and a lot of time in front of the media blasting cabinet.

 

[mjseakan]

Definitely looks like time well spent.

 

[Stevieray]

Continuing to dress the engine. I’ve made a mistake here but will not know it until I fire the engine up. My engine shop supplied me with a master gasket set and additional gaskets which are unique to the Boss engine. While painting I used one set of the exhaust gaskets to help me mask off the areas I did not want painted. Afterwards, I sat the set of painted exhaust gaskets to the side and planned to reuse them when I rebuild the Boss 302 engine. Well, I grabbed the extra set of exhaust gaskets when I installed the manifolds, not paying attention to the exhaust port size. These were for a standard Cleveland head. Leaked fairly quickly after start up. Got to correct my mistake by replacing them with the correct ones. Not something I had planned to do.

 

[Sheriff41]

I always installed factory exhaust manifolds without gaskets and never had a leak.

 

[Stevieray]

Engine and transmission about to go back in.

 

[Stevieray]

Dressing the engine. I decided I did not care to chance sending the original alternator off and rebuilt it myself. Turned out pretty good. The 4300D has only had non-ethanol fuel in it since I’ve owned the car, for 20+ years. It was rebuilt once by Pony Carburetor. But it has been sitting in a box for the past year.

 

[Sheriff41]

Very nice work!

 

[DAverkamp]

Dressing the engine. I decided I did not care to chance sending the original alternator off and rebuilt it myself. Turned out pretty good. The 4300D has only had non-ethanol fuel in it since I’ve owned the car, for 20+ years. It was rebuilt once by Pony Carburetor. But it has been sitting in a box for the past year.

It's very satisfying to repaint & detail the engine bay when you have the opportunity.

 

[351bb]

Super resto, I like it!

Did you rebuild the trans? Do you have a picture of the third and fourth speed synchronizer in position?

I did a rebuild of my trans a half a year ago but unfortunately, I did not take a picture of the position or in which way the third and fourth speed synchronizer was installed before disassembly. A lot of others but not this one! ☹
The FORD Shop Manual tells me the groove should facing forward, but my synchronizer has a groove/notch on each side. I’ve installed it the best way I know, but now shifting out from of the third to forth or second is a little sticky/notchy. Into third it’s no problem and smooth.
Before I disassemble the trans again and reverse the synchronizer, I’d like to make sure, that this would be the solution.
How looks your third and fourth speed synchronizer in position?