The Floyd Brothers 68 Barracuda Fastback

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Wed Apr 30, 08 9:03 am

Hmmm... bit tricky to show, this one.

Main problem with the heater is that it only blows freezing cold air! There is a gash in the hose which needs sorting, but inspection from underneath (still can't get the ruddy thing out...

) shows up a couple of issues. Don't know how well you can make this out, but these pics show the cable running from the heat switch. Does this look normal? It looks like it is run past the pin, then looped back. When you pull the lever either way, it looks like it just bends the cable instead of pulling it.

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Wed Apr 30, 08 9:31 am

Doe's the heater valve move freely with the cable off? The cable should be straight from where the outer cover is clamped to where the inner is mounted to the valve, if that makes sense. Any kinkage in it at that point and it won't operate. Mind you I normally drag the heater out and toss it in a skip....

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Wed Apr 30, 08 9:35 am

Brilliant!

The only reason for keeping the heater is that we had a freezing cold journey once, where we had to wear hats, gloves, coats, extra socks, the lot! Don't fancy doing that again in a hurry!

It's ok in the summer if it's sunny, but it's a good jaunt to anywhere for a show or race meet, so it can get parky at times.

Besides, can't get the ruddy thing out!

Neither of the service manuals seems to cover this type and there really isn't anything obvious we haven't unbolted!

Any ideas, Blue?

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Tue Feb 17, 09 6:57 pm

Ideal time to update and change the plan yet again!

I know this will be as boring as old nick to most, but I thought I'd post a few pics of the 318 strip and rebuild to keep the motivation up. THere must be a couple of others who've never rebuilt an engine, so here it is.

This is totally new ground here, so I'm pleased with meself and having fun learning a lot.

Thank's to the helpers in the tech sections.

So here's the new lump...!

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Tue Feb 17, 09 7:01 pm

Plan is to get it apart, Bananarama!, learn what voodoo goes on in there, tidy and paint it, then get it in the car and get the sodding thing moving again! Budget rebuild at pace, then start the 400 later in the year.

So... hastily made space and "workbench" (Ahem... Pasting table.

) and out come the guts to see what we've got.

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Tue Feb 17, 09 7:11 pm

Heads off and a quick measure shows they are standard, so stuck them to one side to look at later. In the meantime, thank's to advice in the resto section, the freebie rocker covers and s/h intake manifold that will replace the standard 4 barrel jobbie, were chucked in the boot and took a trip to see Mr Benn, to be glass bead blasted, prior to a polish up.

(Already posted pics of rockers and intake in "resto" but there'll be those that don't visit there and it keeps it in one place.)

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Tue Feb 17, 09 7:17 pm

Initial look at the bores shows that (to a novice eye, anyway!

) all looks pretty good! Following advice, tried to catch a nail on the ridge and couldn't, so happy days.

Probably not really worth posting the shiny blurred shots of the bearings, but they actually looked like they were fine to go back in. Decided to order a fresh set anyway, as the intention is only to build this once, so want to do it right.

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Tue Feb 17, 09 7:24 pm

This is the worst one I found. Hope it shows up, but it struck me that the only one or two that looked worn, where at the back end. Would this necessarily be an indicator of anything? No problems at all at the pump end. Crank didn't seem to have any play, but there was a slight mark/scratch on the 5th main journal. I don't know if you can see this properly.

I just don't have any point of reference, so don't know if it's a potential issue or not, just above the light burst in the centre.

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Tue Feb 17, 09 7:26 pm

Apologies for the cack photo's and Aunt Sally report, but it's probably more for my benefit than anything! Keeps me motivated by writing about it.

Will post some more tomorrow, to bring it up to date with where it's got to.

TrevD · Post by **TrevD** » Tue Feb 17, 09 7:38 pm

keep posting stu, its good to see progress as it unfolds, im sure you will find a few bits more of a challenge than others and having lots of pics of the build will keep you motivated. be sure to have a good look at the timing chain cover/ waterways as this is an area that small blocks suffer from internal corosion and if its all in bits its easier to replace it now rather than have problems in a year or two.

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Tue Feb 17, 09 7:56 pm

It's funny you should say that, Trev...

Pics don't do it justice, but this was absolutely full of fine dust like white crap, as was the inside of the timing chain cover.

TrevD · Post by **TrevD** » Tue Feb 17, 09 8:13 pm

looks to me like somone hasnt been using antifreeze/ corosion inhibitor. the timing chain covers have a habit of coroding on the face that mates to the block making a good seal a problem, get it clean and see if its ok if not im sure somone on here will have a good second hand one . i had a couple of good ones but i think they are long gone.

JohnR · Post by **JohnR** » Tue Feb 17, 09 9:42 pm

looks like it's got valve seat inserts as well been converted for unleaded ?

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Wed Feb 18, 09 8:50 am

No idea, John?

Will probably take a better look at the heads tonight.

Trev, I'll get a decent photo of the timing chain cover and see what you think.

Was marking up the big ends and couldn't help but notice strange markings on each... This is the only one that I could get to photo properly.

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Wed Feb 18, 09 8:58 am

The rest wouldn't photo under the shiny light on my rubbish camera, so I scribbled 'em down... They must mean something? Any idea's?