New to me 78 NYB on its way but please Don't tell my wife

[70bigblockdodge]

Oh what fun.....thanks. I didn’t notice that

I did notice no marks on the torque converter or flex plate to give up a clue as to orientation.

just looking at the stock photo above, one of the holes (bottom left) looks to be rotated to something other than the others which appear to be at 90 degrees.

Since the flex plate is out I’ll check it against the torque converter for orientation...... Before I start banging my head on the wall later.

Again.... thanks.

Wait, wait, wait, your car originally had cast crank and external balance. Unless the crank has changed it should still be external balance. I'm not going to question your builder, but the dampener should be the thin one if internally balanced. If this was all changed and/or it is internally balanced now the stock converter will have a large weight on it which will unbalance the engine. You will have to make sure your ducks are lined up. Internally balanced or externally balanced, if you did not knock the weight off you may have a mismatch of parts. You can easily remove the weight from stock converter by cutting the tack welds flush not into converter obviously.
Line flexplate up with converter bolts while off the engine then a splash of paint on the bottom spoke of the flexplate onto the converter and they will be marked for reassembly.

 

[73 T&C]

Wait, wait, wait, your car originally had cast crank and external balance. Unless the crank has changed it should still be external balance. I'm not going to question your builder, but the dampener should be the thin one if internally balanced. If this was all changed and/or it is internally balanced now the stock converter will have a large weight on it which will unbalance the engine. You will have to make sure your ducks are lined up. Internally balanced or externally balanced, if you did not knock the weight off you may have a mismatch of parts. You can easily remove the weight from stock converter by cutting the tack welds flush not into converter obviously.

ok.

Will confirm with builder....

But it is still a cast crank and, as to balance, it was the pistons and rods that were balanced to equalize them I believe. I specifically asked about the. Balance on the crank and he told me he left it alone adding “ to balance the crank I would have had to make Swiss cheese out of it”

Balancing a cast crank is not what he did. Still has original harmonic balancer on the front.

Not sure what you mean by “the thin one” but I can guess as to the idea of different types having different thicknesses for balancing through material removal. Just don’t know the dimensions to be able to tell which is which.

Torque converter still has the large “butterfly” weight still on it. It is larger than the typical two smaller ones welded to the edge on earlier models from what I’ve read. It is mounted closer to the center that the typical two weights on the edges. (Closer to the center would have less rotational speed and therefore less centripetal force.. hence it would need to be bigger)

The previous posts confirm that the torque converter only fits in one rotational position relative to the crank so.... if no weight was added or removed from the crank’s internal stock counterweights......The original balance should still remain and the original matching torque converter will complete the balance.

It did not make sense to me that the torque converter would be so out of balance as to require such a heavy weight tack welded to it. But if it was meant to balance the rear end of the crank shaft....then it makes perfect sense.

I will confirm specifically the crank’s balance with my builder but I’m pretty sure it is as it was originally.

Therefore, it should be a bolt up and drive thing like HYWYCRZR mentioned.

thanks.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

Sounds like he balanced the pistons on the rods to all equal each other, very good. If it is still the original cast crank and harmonic balancer, just leave the weight on the torque converter.
Stock cast crank dampener should be 1.25-1.5" thick at the outer ring thin one from a forged crank pre 73 engine is about 1" thick. That's what I meant by thin dampener.
You should be good.

 

[73 T&C]

More engine ****:

 

[LeBaron1973]

Now, hopefully it'll run perfectly followed by happy motoring.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

Cast crank dampener, your all good. Keep the weight on TC.

 

[73 T&C]

All I want for Christmas......

Christmas Day marks 2 years under my care.

 

[LeBaron1973]

Feliz Navidad Javier.

 

[73 T&C]

Engine in.....

ordered new heater hoses as the old ones were a little cooked.

I changed trans filter, did band adjustment per FSM (a first for me), change selector shaft seal, new rear seal and installed new bushings on shift rods. Tranny was more than a little weepy. Oil was filthy. Drained the lines and cooler was cleaned out with the radiator. So I should be good.

And yes.... I put the Thermoquad back in.

should be firing it up next week to break it in..... hopefully.

Only one mishap... after the engine was set on its mounts in the bay, they went to drop the lift to loosen the engine from the lift and dropped the arm in the fender... ouch.

Ivan came to me with it and asked what to do. I told him to fix it and paint it.... and the rest of the car. More scope than expected. But to be honest, the paint was gone anyway.

now looking for the window fuzzies. Only pulling some of trim...... probably all! By now you guys know me pretty well.

Merry Christmas to you all my friends!

j

 

[commando1]

And yes.... I put the Thermoquad back in.

i always look forward to your latest posts.

 

[Ripinator]

Engine in.....

View attachment 425271

View attachment 425272

ordered new heater hoses as the old ones were a little cooked.

I changed trans filter, did band adjustment per FSM (a first for me), change selector shaft seal, new rear seal and installed new bushings on shift rods. Tranny was more than a little weepy. Oil was filthy. Drained the lines and cooler was cleaned out with the radiator. So I should be good.

And yes.... I put the Thermoquad back in.

should be firing it up next week to break it in..... hopefully.

Only one mishap... after the engine was set on its mounts in the bay, they went to drop the lift to loosen the engine from the lift and dropped the arm in the fender... ouch.

Ivan came to me with it and asked what to do. I told him to fix it and paint it.... and the rest of the car. More scope than expected. But to be honest, the paint was gone anyway.

now looking for the window fuzzies. Only pulling some of trim...... probably all! By now you guys know me pretty well.

Merry Christmas to you all my friends!

j

Didja change the thermostat ?!?

 

[73 T&C]

And now..... the moment you’ve all been rubbing your rhubarb for:

 

[73 T&C]

In case you were wondering... the rubber line off the back of the engine was for checking the oil pressure. Started at 90 and went down to 60 when fully warmed up.

Still need to sort it a bit but almost there.

First road test coming up.

 

[73 T&C]

Didja change the thermostat ?!?

Yes. 180 degree. Temp guage shows smack in the middle when warmed up.

 

[75LandYacht]

Sweet. I’m excited for ya Javier.. that car will last you a very long time.. great work.

 

[Ripinator]

And now..... the moment you’ve all been rubbing your rhubarb for:

Really sounds good Javier. I'll give you $2500 for it. . .

 

[75LandYacht]

Really sounds good Javier. I'll give you $2500 for it. . .

Standby Javier , I’ll take care of this one for you. Hey RIP!!!

 

[commando1]

Really sounds good Javier. I'll give you $2500 for it. . .

I'll go 26-hundred if it comes with an Edelbrock..

 

[73 T&C]

I'll go 26-hundred if it comes with an Edelbrock..

Sorry....comes with a fully sorted Thermoquad.... maybe the only one left in the country!

 

[73 T&C]

Besides my beloved NYB.....

I’m also working on my house..... been 20 years since I finished it. Needed to clean out the cage so to speak. Besides updating with a Tesla set of power walls and solar array, updating HVAC system to zoned and taking out one of the units.

problem has been one of parts, materials and equipment supplier delays (sound familiar). This COVID **** has drained all the supply lines to minimum.

meantime.... as I wait in the now empty house for contractors to show up, I’ve recommissioned an old girl that was up on my shelf back to fully operational battle ready status..... I give you the USS MELVIN, DD 680, Fletcher Class Destroyer

Upgraded new engines and controls installed and working. New brass props with correct 3 blades, and right and left rotation. Turning 5” guns, torpedo launchers and radar. New aluminum reinforced rudder posts and linkage. New Shafts and packing and all missing guns trim and rigging replaced. Buoyancy enhancing foam compartments.... in case of attack by Jap ducks. Or German Uboat snapping turtles.

Next stop... the lake.