Original 427 SOHC Engine Rebuild

[jayb]

I know that Barry R at Survival Motorsports gets Diamond pistons, so you might try him.  You could probably go direct to Diamond also, maybe send them an email?

[Bart]

Big thanks to Brent for sourcing the pistons for me, thanks mate.

I need to purchase some SOHC specific gaskets, timing cover, backing plate etc. Any leads on where I might source these from?

Thanks

[thatdarncat]

Big thanks to Brent for sourcing the pistons for me, thanks mate.

I need to purchase some SOHC specific gaskets, timing cover, backing plate etc. Any leads on where I might source these from?

Thanks

Precision Oil Pumps has SOHC gasket sets with these unique gaskets. If I remember SCE gaskets came up with a nice reinforced SOHC valve cover gasket, I think Jay was testing a set.

* Edited to add - DSC Motorsports has the gasket sets too. Also as you will see on the Precision Oil Pumps website, they have a lot of the small & misc. SOHC parts too.

[ToddK]

Let me know if you find any SOHC gasket sets available anywhere. I’ve ordered and paid for 2 sets from Precision Oil Pumps last December, still have not received them or heard when they might be available. I’ve also placed an order for some with DCS Motorsports, haven’t had a reply from there either.
I also tried Barry R, but he is also out of stock. So if you do find anywhere that has them, let me know. I’ll send you a PM.

[63gal427]

I've also bought a Cammer gasket set from a well known supplier.  They are quick to get your money on the same day of the order, but give absolutely no indication of when you are going to get the product. There is nothing on the website to indicate if the item is out of stock.
Sent emails and received no reply.
Not happy at all.

[jayb]

I just checked with my supplier for the SOHC gasket sets and he is still making them, lead time about 2 weeks.  I think they are $175 per set.  If anyone wants a set let me know, I will get them here and ready to ship before you pay for them.  I need a couple sets myself, so I will be ordering them soon...

Edit:  Just a note on these gasket sets, they don't include the head gaskets or the oil pan gaskets.  Also I checked on the price and they are $188 per set - Jay

[Bart]

Hi Jay,

I'll take two sets when they are available.

Thanks mate.

[jayb]

OK, I've just ordered the SOHC gasket sets for the folks who have contacted me about them (including you, Bart).  I will let you guys know when I have them on hand - Jay

[Bart]

Thanks Jay, appreciate it

[Leny Mason]

Jay I could use a set to if it is not to late Thanks. Leny Mason

[jayb]

Sorry Leny, they are all sold.

[Leny Mason]

Thanks I would like to buy a set when you can find some. and I got to talk to Hemi Joel today it is a small world. Leny Mason

[BH107]

Leny, we have plenty in stock.

[Bart]

Well, it's sure taken it's time but assembly has finally started. The rotating assembly was extremely pain free, the clearances were all good, gapped the rings and it all went together quite easily. The LeMans rods that were in the engine had worn small end bushes. The owner had a set of NOS LeMans rods in his inventory and for the life of me, I couldn't get on of the original rod bolts out, we had to get it machined out!!! Rods went through normal prep and new ARP rod bolts were installed.
sohc1 by Chunga Gomez, on Flickr

sohc2 by Chunga Gomez, on Flickr

While checking piston to valve clearance I noticed that the primary drive gear on the stub cam had some radial movement. Disassembled the sub cam assembly and found that the woodruff key was worn and the Milodon gear was loosee on the shaft.

sohc3 by Chunga Gomez, on Flickr

I took it to our local machinist and he is going to double key the gear onto the stub cam and make a new hub for the Milodon gear as the hub is removable.

Had to drop the heads and camshafts off to him as the camshafts had no end float. Local camshafts, made by Crow Cams, purchased from Paul Munro while he was a free man.

sohc4 by Chunga Gomez, on Flickr

When I checked the combustion chamber volume, it cam in at 109cc, which is down about 10-11cc according to a post I found from Jay on his forum. This was going to raise the compression a significant amount which would be too much for our crappy fuel. Thick Cometic headgaskets were used to get compression down to 10.7:1.
Heads have been installed as well as the backing plate. Just waiting for stub cam to show up from machinist and the cam timing can be done. Then front cover and sump.

sohc5 by Chunga Gomez, on Flickr

sohc6 by Chunga Gomez, on Flickr

When this engine came into the country in 1980ish it was installed in a 1963 Galaxie. The owner, when he put it in his hot rod, acquired a home made tunnel ram. This was on the engine for quite a while before he put the stock 2X4 back on. He wants the tunnel ram back on, so hopefully it aligns pretty well with the thick headgaskets.

Tell ya what, these things consume some time when you don't build them fairly often!!!!!

Thanks to Brent for the pistons and Jay for the gasket set.

[475fetoploader]

Fun build! American muscle car history!