My 427 SOHC Build..... Finally the time has come!

[rockittsled]

....  For my luck down here in Florida, I will have lizards living in them (and dying in them) if I don't have the plugs.

Don't kill the lizards!!  They eat Camaros, I mean cockroaches! 

[cobracammer]

OK excited.  Flatbed is coming on Saturday Morning.  Header shop is going to get started on the headers and will send them out for Jet hot coating.  Once its back, its just the MSD ignition box and the FAST computer and I will finally get to turn her over!

[cobracammer]

Car is in the shop!  Chris (The owner over at AC carcraft) was telling me that he usually does individual exhaust piped to each exhaust port on the head.  I guess this would make it easier to remove the headers if you had them snaking all along and through the tubular cross member.  However I also supplied him with the raw steel header flanges and a set of exhaust gaskets.  He said he should have them done in a few days.  Also, rather than have the car just sitting there after he is done, I can have it shipped back to my home while the headers are sent out for the ceramic coating.

I am literally weeks from starting this car!

One thing I was trying to figure out is this.....  If you look at the pictures of the completed engine bay, you damn sure cannot see the balancer (with timing marks) from any angle......  How will I even be able to set the timing?

[My427stang]

Make another pointer from the bottom or wherever you can see it and remark the balancer

[thatdarncat]

It's pretty common on race headers on a chassis car ( as opposed to a dragster ) to have individual tubes, or maybe at most paired tubes. He can probably still use your flanges as a starting point. We're all getting excited too, good luck.

[cobracammer]

Make another pointer from the bottom or wherever you can see it and remark the balancer

Thanks Ross, that's a good Idea.  I can grab a 7" Ford FE balancer tape (Like $4.00 from jegs) and from under the car, remark TDC.  It would just mean timing the car on my back while the car is on Jack stands.

[cobracammer]

It's pretty common on race headers on a chassis car ( as opposed to a dragster ) to have individual tubes, or maybe at most paired tubes. He can probably still use your flanges as a starting point. We're all getting excited too, good luck.

Thanks Kevin.  I am actually stopping by their shop tonight at 8 to drop off a deposit.  I am hoping its up on a lift as I would love to see what I have done from a better vantage point.  If it is (and he lets me) I will take some photos.

[cobracammer]

OK unfortunately no pictures as the car hasn't been started yet (not up on a lift).  They are expecting the 2" pipes to come in either today or tomorrow.  I did want to mention something neat.  The owner of the shop is friends with Mr. Hendricks from Hendricks motorsports.  Oddly enough, he came down to visit just yesterday and Chris, the owner of the shop, said that Mr. Hendricks was out admiring my car......  I mean Engine  HAHAHA

[lovehamr]

It'd be hard for any motorhead not to stop and admire your engine!  Any news?

Steve

[cobracammer]

 

[Dave427SOHC]

Im sure we all understand your anxiousness but be patient!! Other jobs couldve had taken longer people get sick.. Just saying.. You dont want to be a thorn in their side and then their attitude could flow over to the job.. and you dont want that.. If it cant be started in the next few days maybe get a explanation and then get a flat bed if its not what you want to hear.. Some times shops take things in and then say whoooaaa oh boy and wish they didnt take jobs in.. Im sure there reputable and are the right shop as you did your research.. Good luck hope it comes together soon. Haste makes waste  I learned the hard way.. And im sure you dont really want to hear this but i wish i had someone to settle me down when my anxiety got the best of me.. 

[fe66comet]

I started building my FE 4 years ago, still haven't done much on my Comet. Now I am stuffing a 445 in a Ranger mini that I hope to at least have on the track before fall. I have to say you bit off a huge project and if you rush a build up usually you end up missing or doing things you would have done different and end up having to redo stuff. Just take a step at a time or the project gets overwhelming and you you end up loosing the original idea. For me it is to enjoy taking the time to build something with your own hands and enjoy what you created, of course I have a kazillion unfinished projects laying around due to lack of funds so I guess I can't say too much LOL.

[cobracammer]

Yea, I understand.  I definately dont want to piss someone off who is doing work on the car.  And on the other hand, as its the last piece before I start the car and start having fun, I dont want to waste time since 3 days has now turn into 3 weeks (possibly more).  I will keep everyone posted.  Hopefully she's tucked back in my garage by this Saturday while the headers are off getting their ceramic coating.

[cobracammer]

OK! Progress on the headers!  Chris at the shop is currently knee deep in my headers. He was kind enough to send over some photos:

[Jim Comet]

What size are the collectors? The picture makes them look smaller than the rest of the exhaust in the last picture. Jim