OK, just heard good news from Jay. The cam shells for the heads are on their way. Hopefully by the end of the week (or early next week) they will have arrived. Given that I have had time now after our move and more importantly since Jay is doing the hard part of rebuilding the engine, I have been thinking (brooding really) over the small items that plagued me during my build. Just thought I would spitball a few just to see them written down.
First of all.... My favorite is the engine cooling. After buying and trying different fans (with different clearance issues), the car still seemed to run a bit hot just sitting still. As was mentioned a few time by members on here, as the car was moving, the temp dropped substantially. However, I hated that I was up in the 200's while at idle. So because the engine bay is so small and tight, I took advice and had the headers ceramic coated. This should cut down on a little heat. This will also help protect the headers from rust. What I did find interesting was that the ceramic coater said to be careful since the coating can easily be scratched. Is ceramic coating supposed to be so brittle? I was thinking (since they are already coated for protection) I can then use a thermal heat wrap on top of it.... This would cut heat down even further and protect the tubes from scratches and chips. My only issue is that the tubes go in (and come out) 1 at a time and in a specific order. With thermal wrap on them, they will be bound together and will not be able to be removed as easy without unwrapping each one.... Then again, how often will I have to remove the headers without removing the engine? I was thinking about the cammer and the engine compartment and think that the headers could stay on the engine if it needed to be lifted out ever.... this then means that I could install the headers on the engine while I have it out of the car, and wrap them all as 1 (instead of individually). Not really sure on the wrap, and again, not a huge deal in the scheme of things.
Second is the fans! I have a set of spal fans (13") which came with my aluminum shroud. These were straig blade and didn't move as much as the "s" blades. So I ordered 2 "s" blad Spal fans. They moved a lot more air (1777 each), but then the motors were bigger and blocked the power steering belt and rubben on the alternator pulley (barely). even with these stronger spal fans, we were in the 200's while at idle. Given the fact that when Jay pulled this engine apart, there were a lot of areas not getting oil.... I wonder if once oil flow has been corrected if the engine block itself will run cooler and the smaller spal fans (straight blade) would work? This would allow me to put the after market fan shroud with the smaller 13" fans back on and not have any clearance issues. The other thought (which I don't know why it didn't come to me earlier) is just buying a 16" 2000 CFM pusher Spal fan. I can leave the 2 13" spals on the shroud and have them automatically come on then the car is running. I can then run the 16" pusher Spal fan on the front of the Radiator through the FAST EFI computer. That way if the engine gets to a preset temp (even with the smaller fans) the computer will kick on the larger push fan..... I like this idea because I would not have to move the radiator forward at all. In front of the radiator on a 2005 Saleen there has to be between 1 and 1.5 feet of empty space. Perfect for a "Big ol' fan".
3rd is the wiring. I wanted to clean up the wiring in the engine bay before dropping the engine back in. Every time I went out there (a few months ago) to try and attempt... I just fiddled a little and gave up. The thing is, because I took the 4.6 Modular out, there are a TON of wires that I do not need... and they are all wrapped in a python thick cable that snakes all around the engine bay. Wires for each fuel injector, cam sensors, crank trigger sensor, Blah-Blah. After doing some reading, Its basically the engine management computer (for the modular engine) that needed to be removed. However, wrapped in that huge cable is other necessary wires I don't want to screw up. Its got airbags, ABS brakes, Ground wires for EVERYTHING, the alternator wiring, etc.
I saw on another forum where a brave (and supremely talented person) unwrapped each cable to wires. Then with the schematic in hand, extended what needed extending, and removed (down to pulling the pigtail and removing the pin) anything he did not need. The after picture was an immaculate engine compartment where he even relocated the Bussed electrical center out of sight. This would be great, but I am not that skilled. So as of this moment, I will just try and protect the wires from the heat of the headers and leave everything there for now.
I also wanted to mention another thing. Putting this transmission in after the engine was in was a huge pain in the A$$. I had to try and use the huge torque wrench with every extension on it to reach some of those top bolts. Even though I torqued each bolt to the exact value stated in the instructions, when I removed the engine to send to Jay, I found 1 or 2 bolts that were loose. This could have been a disaster I am sure on this engine. I wanted to install the transmission on the engine and install as 1. Again (much like the headers) it will allow me tons of room to get things right. I wanted to install lock washers on each bolt (no bolts or hardware came with my transmission package, so I didn't think to use lock washers). I also wanted to use Locktite on all of the bolts. With the weight of this engine and transmission combined, I am not sure I can use the engine crane properly. I am thinking I may have to somehow lower the front of the car (remove the wheels and put it down on small jack stands) and then Jack the back of the car up as High as I can get it on those 12ton tall jack stands? This way I can slide it all in as 1 unit? This again would make my life much easier and I would be sure that the headers are torqued and wrapped properly as well as the transmission bolts are all torqued and locked in to spec.
Again, just wanted to get these thoughts out and in writing, so please excuse any grammatical errors or ramblings above.
