2010 Front Engine Dragster Week 2013 03 02

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Well, it has once again been some time since I have done an update on the progress on the blown engine in the front engine dragster

DSC_0370_small We had a great turnout of car nuts this weekend, but this update will encompass a number of weeks that have passed. We had George Lever, Bob Way, Tom Deyle, Lee Bracey, Jerry Croston, and Bill Cleary, this weekend.
DSC_0359_small There was the usual standing around and bench racing. Dreaming of spring and the smell of tires roasting, but we did get a lot accomplished also.
DSC_0348_small  DSC_0365_small

The first thing we did was to chain up the front of the engine and support it with an engine hoist so that the front engine plate could be removed. I have removed and replaced the water pump a number of times and have noticed that the gasket in-between the front engine plate and the time chain cover separated each time. I though I would be proactive and remove and replace it with a new one before it started to leak, so…..

Replace_Front_Eningine_PLate_Gasket_0297_small  Replace_Front_Eningine_PLate_Gasket_0347_small
Replace_Front_Eningine_PLate_Gasket_0349_small  Replace_Front_Eningine_PLate_Gasket_0352_small

Now this is a case of two birds with one stone, while the pump is off the bypass hole needs to be plugged as the blower intake does not have a provision for it. BDS wants you to run a plastic line to replace it, but we have something better in mind, if you read far enough through this thread you will see what we have in mind, but for now we just need to plug the hole
Plug_Bypass_Hole_0329_small  Plug_Bypass_Hole_0331_small

And now the pump can go back on, if you look close you will see that there is a fitting that has been put in the face of the pump.
Replace_Front_Eningine_PLate_Gasket_0354_small  Replace_Front_Eningine_PLate_Gasket_0358_small
Here is a closer look, I do not think it is going to leak!
 Water_Pump_Modification_0377_small  Water_Pump_Modification_0285_small

While we are on the subject of welding and modifications the water outlet has also been modified and welded up, and i do not think that will leak either
Water_Output_Modification_0295_small  Water_Output_Modification_0296_small
Now we can make a slightly more substantial move forward. Lets bolt the intake on and torque it down
Intake_Manifold_0332_small  Intake_Manifold_0334_small

Well, not quite so fast, I really wish the aftermarket would get it’s act in gear. It seems like you always have to make modification to make their parts fit. Such is the case with the water outlet and the stock timing chain cover. If the timing chain cover was not ground down a little ithe water outlet would have hit the cover.
More_Timing_Chain_Coverr_Modifications_0315_small  More_Timing_Chain_Coverr_Modifications_0318_small
Water_Output_Modification_0325_small So now it fits nicely

Ok, above I mentioned that I had a new and improved idea on how to handle the bypass. I put a fitting in the top of the water pump and created a fill can off to the side on the right head. The line has not been run but there will be a line that runs from the fill can to the top of the pump allowing air to escape. In addition an air relief has been added to the water crossover in the intake manifold
Coolant_Fill_0362_small Everyone jokes about me when it comes to ant seize, but stainless steel bolts and aluminum threads do not like each other. Here we are bolting the water fill bracket we made in the last update to the front of the head
Coolant_Fill_0363_small Once again the aftermarket has come through the thread in the fill can (even though manufactured in the USA) were metric and were of the zert nut verity and were screwed up, we had to retap them
Coolant_Fill_0373_small  Coolant_Fill_0375_small
Valve_Cover_Gaskets_0361_small Valve covers and gaskets were installed
Bolt_Sorting_0311_small I have to give a big shout out thank you to my son for taking the time to sort all the twelve point stainless steel bolt and nuts for me
Water_Output_Modification_0379_small This will give you an idea what the routing of the coolant line will look like.