86 eta 5.0 swap...

[Elysian]

I found a World Class Tremec T5 from a 99-02 Mustang today. No bellhousing, but should be compatible, and is only $300. Might be able to go manual after all. Sent them an email.

[Elysian]

Got my heads :D



They look great, very happy with the work. Can't wait to start putting them together, though that won't be until next week.

[Elysian]

Got the call from the machine shop, they were "done" with my heads... Got there and was getting read to load them up in my pickup, but asked about the valve stem seals... The guy didn't know what I was talking about, but told me they machined my heads for 0.550" seals... So he goes off, finds my seals, and we measure and they're 0.500"... That won't work, so I wasn't able to take my heads home today.

I did get my injectors yesterday, and took a stock one out to compare, they're virtually identical besides the electrical connector.



So fitment won't be an issue. The new ones have a larger fuel inlet, and larger holes in the spray end. They're 40-42lbs at LS1 fuel pressures.

[Elysian]

Got the rest of the pistons installed and the caps torqued to spec. Engine still rotates so I'm happy about that.


Will also hopefully have my heads back this week, if I do I'll assemble them this weekend and get them on the engine.

[wworm]

Looking forward to seeing the results

x2
loving progress on this build

[varg]

Looking forward to seeing the results

[Elysian]

And I ordered roller rockers and everything I need to convert to them, minus the hardened pushrods. I'll measure for those.

[Elysian]

Dropped the heads off at the machine shop this morning, hopefully have them back early next week. Didn't ask what the turnaround was right now, who knows could get them back today.

[Elysian]

So $280 for the remaining head work, which includes conversion to 3/8" studs and guide plates and shaving the spring perch to fit the dual springs. Hoping to get that rolling in the new few weeks, until then I'll keep plugging away at the bottom end.

I figure I'm still spending less than new heads, and when I get the new heads in the future I can sell these on to someone who wants a budget performance head.

[Elysian]

Started building the bottom end.



Cleaned up the pistons.



Plastigaged the crank, everything within spec. Installed the crank with plenty of lube.



Got most of the pistons in, ran into an issue with cylinder 7. Accidentally installed its cap on cylinder 2, didn't fit right, locked up the crank, realized my error (my 7 looked sort of like a 2), and got the right cap. I think that bent the #7 cap, it's noticeably not flat when compared to a straight edge... I'll see if my machine shop can fix it, if not I have to replace the entire rod, because they're matched up together...

So that's where it sits for now. I also need to have my machine shop machine the spring perches to fit the new dual springs. I'll probably get a quote for that while seeing if they can fix the rod.

edit: a replacement rod is $25 on RockAuto, I'll just grab a new rod...

[Elysian]

Been pretty motivated to clear my schedule so I can work on this thing. Chipping away, just take on too many projects...

[varg]

I'm looking forward to seeing this thing get built and go in. I've always wanted to LS swap but it's not too hard to build a stroked 302 that makes stock LS6 power and waaay cheaper.

[Elysian]

Not a lot done today, but I did put the 302 back up on my engine stand today. Too busy working on my 95 Subaru Legacy to get to my BMW.

[Elysian]

Ordered new exhaust valves to deal with the difference in installed spring height from the stock exhaust valves:

https://www.alexsparts.com/stainless-steel-valves-sb-ford-oversize-exhaust-1-540-x-393-tip/

[Elysian]

Installed an intake and exhaust valve to see what I'd be looking at, if any work would need to be done to the head... Now I have more questions than answers

Does anyone know about cam swapping with GT40/GT40P heads? I have many questions.