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62 Belvedere 318 poly granny cruiser (one day i hope)

K.. Crank is in.. mains ended up at .003 .0026 .0032 .0031 .003.. good as i could get it...

Gonna file rings this weekend i hope...

Tonight i put in the 7/8 master cylinder.. the winshield urethane trick dvw posted years ago works great to hold the rod in since there isn't a groove in the piston..

I now get 1200psi at the master if i really stand on it.. 800-1000 with normal hard leg pressure..

bled them and went for a quick ride, brakes are better but in no way can i panic stop.. but i can stop at least now. I didn't think the check pressure at the calipers, will do that this weekend..

so far i have had 4 master cylinders, this is the first one i could get over 800psi out of.. 2 sets of calipers, 2 sets of pads, 2 sets of rotors, 2 sets of rubber lines (originals with the kit leaked).

The only thing i haven't swapped out is the inline tube distro block which is just a brass block with holes. if it somehow ends up being the issue it will be hilarious.. i have more money into these non working brakes than a set of wilwoods
 
something is kicking my *** bad today :( time for rest.. did a little after work though..

plugged the front right brake line at the distro block.. checked pressure on the drivers wheel cyl.. coulnd't get it much over 550psi.. with 1000+ at the MC..
hooked the gauge upto that port on the distro block.. 1000psi.. and thats with at least 4" of air from the line so it's between the distro block and caliper.. which is only a 4" hardline and the steel braided line i got from drdiff..

same issue with 2 sets of calipers... i'm gonna bleed just that front left tomorrow and double check the pressure making sure it's bled well..

now it's food and rest.. something is kicking my *** bad
 
icetech said:
something is kicking my *** bad today :( time for rest.. did a little after work though..

plugged the front right brake line at the distro block.. checked pressure on the drivers wheel cyl.. coulnd't get it much over 550psi.. with 1000+ at the MC..
hooked the gauge upto that port on the distro block.. 1000psi.. and thats with at least 4" of air from the line so it's between the distro block and caliper.. which is only a 4" hardline and the steel braided line i got from drdiff..

same issue with 2 sets of calipers... i'm gonna bleed just that front left tomorrow and double check the pressure making sure it's bled well..

now it's food and rest.. something is kicking my *** bad
Click to expand...
Hope you get feeling better. The flex line is what I am betting on.
 
K.. rings filed and pistons in today... gonna take it back apart now :( have to grind for some rod bolt clearance... not a big thing, just annoying..

As for brakes... i from MC at 1000-1200psi, down to past the distro block where it connects to the soft line 1000psi... caliper.. barely 550psi... i am stumped right now on this...
 
I know only like 2 guys read this but.. bottom end is finally together and torqued and good to go.. the ARP bolt stretch tool is damn nice to have... soo.. soon as i figure the brake problem figured out i am pulling the 318 to strip the top end off to go on the 408.. hoping to have it running by the end of july...

Will need to change the valve springs and learn to set them up properly, order push rods and all that.. takes time...

Waiting 10 months for the block really screwed me pretty well :(

1782264904599.png
1782264921215.png
 
Drove it to work today... got home and ran the carb outa gas, gonna start tearing it apart tomorrow. need to change springs in the heads, another learning curve...

got a real bad feeling bout this 408 and don't know why.. just crazy
 
headers/starter/torque converter unbolted, motor is pretty much ready to pull...

Would like some better headers.. but not for 1k :( using a old *** pair of dougs 1 5/8 with 2.5" collectors
 
icetech said:
K.. rings filed and pistons in today... gonna take it back apart now :( have to grind for some rod bolt clearance... not a big thing, just annoying..

As for brakes... i from MC at 1000-1200psi, down to past the distro block where it connects to the soft line 1000psi... caliper.. barely 550psi... i am stumped right now on this...
Click to expand...
Do you think you might have a soft line thats delaminating internally?
 
icetech said:
I know only like 2 guys read this but.. bottom end is finally together and torqued and good to go.. the ARP bolt stretch tool is damn nice to have... soo.. soon as i figure the brake problem figured out i am pulling the 318 to strip the top end off to go on the 408.. hoping to have it running by the end of july...

Will need to change the valve springs and learn to set them up properly, order push rods and all that.. takes time...

Waiting 10 months for the block really screwed me pretty well :(

View attachment 2055804View attachment 2055805
Click to expand...
3 guys :thumbsup:
 
I’ve been reading through the thread…good stuff! It’s nice to see all the progress you’ve made. I’m curious to see how much of a difference the new engine makes.
 
Nutso said:
I’ve been reading through the thread…good stuff! It’s nice to see all the progress you’ve made. I’m curious to see how much of a difference the new engine makes.
Click to expand...

For what it's costing i hope it makes a big difference :) but will see... i am hoping to have it in and running by the end of the month
 
6 guys :popcorn2:
Keep at it! Just futz with it till it works thats what I do! (used to be my company motto)
 
318 came out this morning, got the heads off and all the parts out of it (need to find someone to take the 318 away now)
Valve spring compressor and more tools coming on monday.. then time to order pushrods and head gaskets... still deciding on the thickness to go...

Love how pretty the mancini rockers are....

2026-07-04 09.35.49.jpg


BTW.. in case it ever comes up, a small block can come out of an early b-body without removing the hood...
2026-07-04 06.29.56.jpg
 
Soo dirty for 400 miles.....

Ordering some different rod bearings.. not happy with my current setup and want to go a little looser for piece of mind.. so apart it will come again...

Tools to do the valve springs should be here today..

BTW... i sprayed the gasket material with some "Free all" which is like pb blaster.. let it sit for a few hours and all the old gasket material just wiped off.. no scraping. Worked out nice..

2026-07-04 11.26.52.jpg
 
K... clevite bearings fixed the bottom end issue.. got the cam in, degree'd p/v checked and ordered push rods today.. last thing i need to do is change out the valve springs in the heads and i can start putting it together.. might actually make my end of the month goal..

94 out today and the next few days though.. so i'm not working on anything...
 
100 degrees out.. want to get stuff done, wenty out and started putting in valve springs.. measuring each as i go.. i thought i was good but some are 15-18 thou over.. shims till be here tomorrow...
 
Almost done...


2026-07-20 19.23.06.jpg


And primed the motor without the plugs in the back of the block.... fun times

2026-07-20 19.05.47.jpg
 
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