Backyard 390 Boat build~

[Ford428CJ]

Next we will install the Crower lifters! Always clean off your new parts before install. This is proof on why you should! Little all purpose lubricant. Then a little Mopar lube on the face and Lucas assembly lube on the sides and tops of the lifters.

I also put the oil splash tray back in it. Don't really need too.... But since it came out I figured I'd put it back in. And yes the intake gasket is backwards and got turned the right way around. I used cork gaskets on the ends covered in Indian Head with black RTV on the ends.
Installed Jays intake adapter. As you can see that the ports match up with my ported heads very nicely! The push rods are from Proform. Made in the USA!!! Not a bad push rod for unnder $100. Same thing. Clean them up before use. Little assembly lube in the cups or engine oil.

Installed the rockers. Just make sure the skinny bolt goes in #3 and #6 cylinder. Otherwise no oil to the rockers. I had to use thick washers under the stands to get the rockers centred on the valve steam. I used the splash shields for the valve springs. Adjusted the rockers and set the pre load to .030 on the lifter. 3/4 of a turn. I used the rock over method to set the pre load.
Had to cut the crap for the 4V 351C Intake to go on. I'll have to clean it up later. The crank spacer we cut down .250 because of the gear drive and the water pump in the way.

[Ford428CJ]

So before I start it up. I added 5 qrts non detergent 30 weight oil and a bottle of Crane break in lube. Set the distributor in @ 14° BTDC. So I know that I'll have 36° total! You don't need fancy oil to break in a new camshaft.

I ran it for 30mins between 2,200~2,600rpms. Nice thing when using a electronic pump. Give it 10 seconds. Pump it 3 or 4 times. Fire in the hole! Everything went very smooth and off with a hitch.

Once the break in was done. I played with it a little bit. Shut it off and back in the shop.
Pulled the rockers off and installed the inner springs. I like using compressed air to do the job. Better then I like the rope myself.

[Ford428CJ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOGO31rKhCY

[blykins]

FWIW, I can usually swap out springs when we do a flat tappet breakin without air or a rope either one.  If the piston is at TDC and you're using the FE on-head spring compressor, it's not a bad job.  A little pen magnet will help hold the valves up if the seals won't keep them up.

You can make a map of companion cylinders....

1542
6378

....then you can bring #1 to TDC, change the springs, hop over to #6, change springs, rotate crank 90°, change springs on #5, then hop over to #3 and change, rotate crank 90°, hop over to #4, etc, etc.  Helps to save a little time.

[Stangman]

Thanks Brent that's going to come in handy this week

[jayb]

Great job on the motor, Wes!  When do we get to see a shot of the boat with the big roostertail behind it?  I'm pretty fired up to see that...

[Ford428CJ]

Jay there isn't one LOL. It's a prop job. But I will get a video of it here soon! Glad it got you fired up! Still tuning and tweaking on it. I got another video for you and I'll post it. It might get your blood pressure go in a little more than what it is lol

[Ford428CJ]

Thanks for the kind words Jay!

[Ford428CJ]

https://youtu.be/ereb_ypUjDg

[Ford428CJ]

Brent, that is a great way to do that! I thought about that myself. But didn't do it.... Probably because I was running on fumes and  I was very tired. LOL I did have a little helper that night.....

[Ford428CJ]

Jay, I hope to take out the boat again this Friday and get some video of it. But I got to get my secondary on the carb to open up.... Got a lighter spring in it (Yellow) , second to the lightest spring. We will see....

[jayb]

Good luck Wes.  By the way, I always seem to end up with those yellow springs in the secondary diaphram too...