Ramjet 502 re-assembly

[55 Rescue Dog]

All you need to put rings on, is this simple $7 tool. Works great.
http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-33500-Pi...+ring+expander

[chevynut]

I have a pair of ring pliers, so I'll be using them. The "warping the crank" BS is just dumb. A thick piece of steel like that doesn't bend that easily. And the rings don't stay bent unless you bend them past the yield point. I'd be more worried about scratching the piston than warping the rings. Yeah, those Ford guys seem pretty stupid. LOL

[chevynut]

One thing I'm not sure how to deal with is the heads. I know they have some junk in the ports, and I'm afraid I may have to disassemble them to clean them up. I don't know how else to ensure they're clean and avoid sucking stuff into the cylinders. So then what? Do I change the valve seals? I have no reason to suspect they're bad. The springs are capable of accepting a much larger cam. Everything is new.

Any advice on the above? It will be a little while before I get to that point, but I want the heads ready to bolt on when I get the pistons in. How hard is it to disassemble the heads myself if needed? If I could just get the valves open a little, I could clean the ports out with a sprayer and solvent.

I got the head gaskets and ring compressor ordered from Summit, so the only thing I can think of that I still need for assembly is a cam and rockers, if I intend to do that upgrade. Oh, and I'll probably need intake gaskets once I figure out how I'm going to finish the intake manifolds. Got right at $600 in it so far.

[55 Rescue Dog]

There is only one way. Just get a spring compressor, and simply take them apart.
My "new" LT-1 that had sat for 37 years, that's what I did, with new seals. Wasn't too concerned about any valve springs compressed forever, because the rockers were loose. So, especially if changing the cam, it should come apart for new springs anyway.
I wish a had a dollar for all the freakin tools I have only used once.

[chevynut]

There is only one way. Just get a spring compressor, and simply take them apart.

That's what I was concluding too. If there was an easy way to open the valves I think it would work fine, but there doesn't seem to be.

So, especially if changing the cam, it should come apart for new springs anyway.

The stock springs are fine for a new cam. They can handle up to .675 valve lift according to GMPP. They have 140 pounds on the seat at installed height.

I wish a had a dollar for all the freakin tools I have only used once.

I'm probably going to find someone to borrow a valve spring compressor from.

[Rick_L]

You need about 350 pounds on the seat with the solid lifter cam I have chosen for you.

You will need to disassemble the heads to do the CNC porting anyway.

[chevynut]

Funny.

[markm]

who gives a shit its a show car, Cnut probably has the reaction times of a turtle.

[Bitchin'57]

who gives a shit its a show car, Cnut probably has the reaction times of a turtle.

He might have a point. How much horsepower do you need to putt-putt through the show field?

[chevynut]

who gives a shit its a show car, Cnut probably has the reaction times of a turtle.

Mark, I'll bet my reaction time is as good as, or better than yours. Maybe we ought to play "slap the hands" someday. I didn't build a drag car, it's pro-touring if you understand what that is. Too bad you can't drive that single purpose strip car of yours on the street or on the twisties, because I'd blow your ass away in autocross. LMAO!