John S's Journal

I’m getting close to finishing all of the engine cleaning and painting. The rocker cover was in need of a good clean so air decided to chemically strip the paint and wishing had done that with the oil pan. I used some Kleen Strip and it peeled off the paint in no time. It was getting dark outside so I’ll go over it with some steel wool and then a wipe down with acetone before I hit it with some primer, paint and then clear.

Aside from a few brackets that I need to clean up and paint, I’m getting close to calling it good. I was going to replace the rod bearings and the three center main bearings but after pulling one of the rod bearing caps and inspecting, I’ve decided to leave well enough alone. I hope it doesn’t bite me in the ass later but I saw no evidence of unusual wear and want to get the GT on the road. I’ve got a new oil pump to install and I just saw a John Twist video on using a 1/4” split washer as a shim on the oil pressure relief valve. He flattened the split washer and inserted that into the cap ahead of the spring and said it would bump up the oil pressure about 5 psi so I might give that a shot. The oil pressure was fine before the engine and gearbox came out but a little extra.wouldn’t hurt.

New gaskets for the pan and rocker cover will be next and then I can get the engine off the stand and put the newly surfaced flywheel back on, install the new B&B roller bearing and clutch, and mate the refreshed OD gearbox up. Lots of other things to do once that stuff gets done but it will be a big boost to see it all together looking sharp with fresh paint.