My detroit iron build up (small update!)

[twenty4valve]

This is my ongoing project, its a 1968 Ford galaxie 289cui (4.6) ford small block, going in my 54 ford pickup. Just got it back from the machine shop yesterday. I polished the lifter valley, the machine shop bored it out .040 over, installed cam bearings , magna fluxed decked and squared and the main bore aligned. Ive got forged speed pro coated skirt pistons for it, along with I beam eagle rods. And a federal mogul crank. Im just working on getting the bottom end together for now. I plan on putting a turbo on the thing with a blow through carb set up. Right now im just concerned about getting the bottom end together, then decide on heads, cam specs, turbo size ect ect. Something a little different than what most guys are doing to the mid-fifties trucks, haha. The motor was in my truck for 6 years through high school, until I pulled it last summer. I love my vw's and my 24v but I dont think nothing sounds better than a v-8 sitting at a red light at night, caughing and sneezing away, lol. Just got it on the stand tonight, heres some pics.

[Fourt1thirty]

I drove my 327 powered '71 Nova (~400hp) back and forth to the shop for three days this summer. That cost me $40 in fuel for 50 miles total traveled. I was suddenly reminded why I got into VWs.

But I've never gotten stuck at a gas station for 20min with a VW. With the Nova people just kept walking up and asking about it.

[twenty4valve]

Love it.

[fuzzy337]

I like it. I like it a lot.

[shedpress]

Sounds like a pretty sweet project, Matt! Keep us updated.

[VWjetta97]

sweet looks good dude

[Straz85]

My engine could fit inside one of those cylinders.

[turb7]

Originally Posted by Straz85

My engine could fit inside one of those cylinders.

hahaha

looks like a fun project!

[fli gti]

Dude, thats sweet! I had a '54 Chevy. Put a chevelle front clip in it and was building a 427 for it. Went to college, got married, blah blah. I finally sold it to one of my cousins, cause he would build it, and I probably wouldn't get back to it until retirement.

Good luck with the build.

[twenty4valve]

Thanks a bunch guys.

[liquidmike]

lovely, one of these days I'll build me a streetrod...

[twenty4valve]

Picked up my rods and pistons from the machine shop today from being pressed together. Should assemble the bottom end next week, just gotta get some plastigauge yet!

[twenty4valve]

Painted and rust preventer, ready for bottom end assembly next week.

[twenty4valve]

Checked the bearing clearances on the rods and crank, and endplay last weekend, so time consuming and frustrating. Everything seemed tits. (thanks to columbia motor parts machine shop) Hoping to assemble it for the final time this week yet, then on with ordering the ole cam

[shedpress]

Looks top notch!