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

[cobracammer]

I just went back to the 519 SOHC build page and saw that I have the head gaskets installed correctly.  N/M Jay.....  It was just a thought  LOL

I was also thinking, when I see engine builds, everyones Rods seem to be pushed together pretty tight on the crank journal.  My rods (Eagle Forged H Beam) are installed with the bevel in the rod and the bevel in the bearing facing the crank counterweight....  but I can still pull on each of them, and they slide back and forth on the crank journal....  NO play or "slop" in them, but their combined width is less than the with of the crank journal they bolt around.  Now I know you are supposed to have enough space to slip a feeler gauge between them, but I have never seen ones like mine where you can slide them back and forth that much.  Possibly letting out oil pressure at the crank due to not a tight enough fit?   
Crrank Specs:

The crank is a Forged RPM 4.250 stroke with the 2.200 rod journals

Rod Specs below:


BB Chevy or BB Ford 6.700" Eagle ESP 3-D H-Beam Connecting Rods -7/16 ARP 8740 Rod Bolts - Used in 514 532 557 Ford Stroker, and Big Block Chevy Tall Deck stroker applications
 
   
H-Beam Rod Specs

6.700" Rod Length  Apprx. Gram Weight 810 
2.200" Crank Pin .990" Piston pin
B.E Width .990" Bushed Fit Pins - Full Floating 
 
 
 
 Is saving a few bucks really worth the cost of throwing a rod and blowing your entire engine assembly? No, it’s not! 
Eagle “ESP” 3-D Rods are manufactured from a TWO-PIECE FORGING using USA 4340 Steel.  The forging process forces the grain into the shape of a connecting rod, resulting in a superior fatigue life. The rod cap is forged separately so that the grain runs perpendicular to the load forces, witch strengthens the rod. Although it is a more expensive process, all Eagles 3-D rods are forged form a much higher content of nickel & chrome, witch increases the strength & fatigue life without making the rod brittle. Dollar for dollar, Eagle rods are the best on the planet.

Eagle offers I-Beam & H-Beam rods for Chevy, Ford, Chrysler, Pontiac, and Honda.

Remember, improper torque of the rod bolts will result in premature rod failure.

4340 Forged H-Beam Rod Features
•USA Certified 4340 forged steel 
•2-Piece Forging for increased strength   
•Multi-stage heat treated 
•All surfaces are 100% machined   
•Shot peened to stress relieve the metal 
•Each forging is x-rayed, sonic tested, and magnafluxed to insure quality   
•ARP 8740 7/16 Capscrew bolts   
•Set of 8 brand new rods race ready 
•Rated to 850 HP 
•Optional ARP 2000
 

[blykins]

I usually come in at .020-.025" side clearance on the rods.  I expect you're somewhere around there too.  You're not bleeding off enough pressure there to kill the top end....

[cobracammer]

OK so just to keep my mind busy......


1. No oil leaks from outside of block (oil galleys all plugged)

2. Head gaskets installed the correct way (Oil should be getting through in theory)

3. Front and back of each head has a oil galley that was plugged.  (On Jay's build, he plugged the rear but installed oil squirters in the front)

4. No oil galley plug in the valley of the block and there was no Oil galley plug in the distributor hole  (Robert Pond SOHC Block)

5. Car had oil pressure.  Exact # I am unsure as I just purchased the gauge with #'s, but the saleen oil pressure gauge was right in the middle (So there was pressure, but just how much we don't know)

6. Jay's cam journal plug installed (with small amount of RTV) in the #4 cam journal spot - feeds oil to the Passender side head.....  No oil getting to head!

7. Stub cam installed which has an oil groove which allows oil to feel up through the bearing, around the stub cam via the groove, and into the Drivers side head......  No oil getting to head!

8. When using the oil priming tool, and running the drill in the counter clockwise direction, you can feel the drag as its pushing oil ... and you can hear it pouring from somewhere back into the oil pan (So we know that the pump works)....  But the question is where is the oil coming out at such a rate that there is not enough pressure to get to the heads.  Obviously after the oil filter adapter (since that's where the pressure sensor is but before the heads.

I can tell that a few rockers will need to be replaced, for sure cam bearings in each head are toasted!, cams may be able to be polished out (but if jay feels the need, I think we could replace with comp Cam cams.....)  looking down the spark plug tube holes into the combustion chamber, my golden ceramic coated pistons are now all solid black,  Even with Fuel pressure down to 30 PSI, spark plugs (all were solid black(fouled)  and to be completely honest (since its going to be torn all apart again), the helicoils that I installed in the heads... 1 or 2 might even be cross threaded when I put those "Gosh darn" studs in.

Honestly, even knowing that its going to take a few months to get it back.... getting it back from Jay (with Dyno results) will be well worth it.

[cobracammer]

Just got off the phone with T&D....  I feel slightly better.  First off, I was worried that these rockers could only be purchased as a set.  Fortunately, they can be purchased separately.

Secondly, just to know... I asked them about rebuilding.  they said its about $8 to change out the bushings (per rocker) and about $15 to change out the Roller.  Not so bad!  I'm sure Jay will see which are ruined and which are not, but the cost to have them rebuilt is very, very reasonable.  and even buying a new rocker is about $100.00 (per rocker).

[Nightmist66]

On the bright side, the rocker rebuilding fee sounds very reasonable. Hope the damage isn't too severe. Best of luck.

[mike7570]

8. When using the oil priming tool, and running the drill in the counter clockwise direction, you can feel the drag as its pushing oil ... and you can hear it pouring from somewhere back into the oil pan (So we know that the pump works)....  But the question is where is the oil coming out at such a rate that there is not enough pressure to get to the heads.  Obviously after the oil filter adapter (since that's where the pressure sensor is but before the heads.

You can hear the oil pouring back from somewhere, is this a side oiler block?
Do you have the block bypass valve and spring in the right way, not backwards?

[Barry_R]

If you can hear the oil running out you have left out a galley plug - my wager is the one behind the cam sprocket.
Send the entire rocker set to get reworked - guarantee that all of them are distressed.

[jayb]

It's a Pond SOHC-specific block.  If it is like mine, the lifter bores and oiling passages aren't even drilled, and there is no place for factory relief valve. 

[cobracammer]

Yep. Pond block. I will let Jay have at it. Worth nothing not working. Lol. Im starting to disassemble and label as we speak. Going to send it to Jay and whatever he says needs replacing, fixing, etc. is fine by me. Lol.

[blykins]

I would let jay take it apart...

[jayb]

I think that's the plan, Jason has to get the engine out of the car first, and I think that's what he meant by disassembling...

[cjshaker]

Jason, I have to congratulate you on being calm, cool and collected about this. With all the trials and tribulations you've been through on this build, many guys would be losing it and throwing in the towel about now. I'm glad to see you're dealing with it and pressing onward. My hats off to you, pal.

[WConley]

+1 here.   Most success stories I've heard have a real low point somewhere in the middle...

[427Fastback]

Agreed..Hang in there and be patient...When I first built my 427 in 1988 I had it sitting at work for a while..It was vandalized at the shop (pretty sure I know who)They poured shit in the engine and it ate it self alive in less than 1500 miles..I had to put in new pistons, bearings and intake valves...After all of this it was sucking oil from the intake seal.I tried 5 different intakes and just as many styles of gaskets...I ended up changing heads and the problem went away.....My point tho is just keep being positive.Its probably something simple..

I think some time on Jays dyno is in order after the repairs are complete..

I know drag week frenzy is going to show its head soon as well....

[turbohunter]

I know drag week frenzy is going to show its head soon as well....

Was thinking the same thing. More patience required Jason.
Commend you so far.