I have a 915 and my 3.0 going on at the same time. I’m afraid to look until after I get thru it. Since I have the eng/trans out, it’s the perfect time for the rear suspension, fuel lines, and A/C lines… OMG$$$

Roger that and sound good! Not too bad for a fresh build!

Side note on sharing spreadsheets, I found an easy way to share is copying/pasting the cell info onto a Google sheet, and you can share it by simply typing someone's email into the share function and sending it off. It's pretty cool when working on group projects also, since several people and make changes/modify the spreadsheet simultaneously and it auto saves.

Finally!...
 

Well, it's proven difficult to find any time to work on this thing over the last month, and when I did, I ran into issues...
After disassembly post valve clearance check I was set to build it for real with sealant. The heads went on, followed by the cam boxes, but while torquing them down I had the threads on a stud let go. Off came everything. Thankfully, lacquer thinner takes off ThreeBond pretty easily. Still, it was a pain in the arse.
Then... I had total brain fade.
In an effort to apply some Curil T to the base gaskets I inadvertently slid off a cylinder whose piston was at BDC exposing the rings. Grrrr...
This meant another week's delay as I had to order a different ring compressor.
All very frustrating, but in the end no harm was done, apart from the minor dent to my wallet for the new tool.
This weekend I finally found the time to assemble the heads and cams, and set the cam timing. I'd have liked to continue on, but apparently the big gasket kit from Pelican doesn't include new O-rings for the chain tensioners. I'll get those ordered today, but I'm headed to England Friday. The motor will have to sit for another couple of weeks...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1697549317.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1697549317.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1697549317.jpg

Completed Long Block
 

I've been in and out of town for the last month and a half, so assembly has been in fits and starts. As of yesterday, however, the long block is pretty much complete. It looks pretty awesome in my estimation. I just hope it runs as well... I'm going to try to get a hold of Perry today. Hopefully he's now in a position to build me a wiring loom.
While I'm waiting for that I guess it's time to pull the mock up engine from the start cart. I need to get the motor mount powder coated, and to finish the cart itself - oil tank and battery mounting, etc., etc. It feels as though I've finally accomplished something though. It's a good feeling.

I do have a question for y'all... What's the recommended spark plug for this engine? 9.5:1 compression, carburetors, 123Ignition. Any suggestions?

Many thanks.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1699540109.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1699540109.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1699540109.jpg

Looks very nice. I tend to use NGK BCPR7ES-11.

With regard to your oil pressure sender mount: I would remove the mount and secure in a vice (with soft jaws) to fix the sending unit, as opposed to torquing the sending unit in the mount while it's on the engine. Less chance of damaging the case.....

Thank you, @mikedsilva!

[QUOTE=detroit;12128140]I've been in and out of town for the last month and a half, so assembly has been in fits and starts. As of yesterday, however, the long block is pretty much complete. It looks pretty awesome in my estimation. I just hope it runs as well... I'm going to try to get a hold of Perry today. Hopefully he's now in a position to build me a wiring loom.
While I'm waiting for that I guess it's time to pull the mock up engine from the start cart. I need to get the motor mount powder coated, and to finish the cart itself - oil tank and battery mounting, etc., etc. It feels as though I've finally accomplished something though. It's a good feeling.

I do have a question for y'all... What's the recommended spark plug for this engine? 9.5:1 compression, carburetors, 123Ignition. Any suggestions?

Many thanks.

Hello Detroit,

Your engine rebuild is a thing of beauty. Don’t recall seeing one here before with the attention to detail on the nuts, bolts etc….one question, what is the benefit of the 123 distributor? What benefits will it provide over stock?

I’m in the planning stages of my 83 3.0 liter rebuild and enhancement.

Thanks, Jeff

Jeff, the 123 set-up offers some neat features. It's fully programmable - via Bluetooth. You can run multiple curves, etc... But, from a performance standpoint, I honestly don't know that there ultimately is a difference between the 123Ignition and the factory CDI.
I chose to go with it because my core engine didn't come with the CDI box, and they're spendy. I'd have been buying one of those, new wires, a coil, and probably sending out my distributor for a refurb. I'm confident that in the end it would have been more expensive to go with the factory ignition system, and I'd not have had the forementioned niceties (that admittedly probably won't ever get used beyond initial set up).
Additionally, this engine is somewhat of a test case. My 308 could stand an ignition upgrade. If all goes well, maybe I'll send it's distributors out to 123 for a refit. I'd prefer to keep that engine bay looking more period correct than replacing the distributors with multiple coils.

Incidentally, Jeff, thank you for the nice comments. I'm blaming all the cleaning, plating, etc. mostly on @Henry Schmidt. There are plenty of others who've posted images of beautiful builds, but it's this thread that always comes to mind...


https://forums.pelicanparts.com/911-engine-rebuilding-forum/1139074-variety-spice.html

So, once again I find myself tackling some things that I should've done months ago. Not that it's set me back any. Perry said he thought he could start building my wiring harness sometime in January. I've no idea what that means apart from the fact that it'll have provided me a couple of months to catch up.
I sent my (911) oil cooler off to Ben to modify for my 914 application.
I've also ordered, and just received word they'll be shipped tomorrow, some amber bits from Roger Sheridan. Specifically, a couple of rain hats, the heater blanking plates, and an oil cooler duct for the 914/6 shroud I'll be using rather than the SC variant.
Said shroud was a looking a little second hand, so the last couple of weeks (on and off) have been spent repairing and modifying it to fit the SC heads. Still a long way to go from an appearance standpoint, but it is now at least sound. And, all the holes have been redrilled, so the fasteners go in without any stress on the fiberglass. I'm going to spray it black once finished. With all the amber parts attached, I envision it'll look pretty classy.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1702319521.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1702319521.jpg

Looking a bit better in primer...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1702488223.jpg

Hmmm... The attachment didn't stick.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1702488429.jpg

I managed to find some time over the holiday to finish up the shroud. It might not look new, but it looks a damned sight better than it did.
Now I just need the wiring loom in order to button up the motor...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1704215453.jpg

You can run multiple curves, etc... But, from a performance standpoint, I honestly don't know that there ultimately is a difference between the 123Ignition and the factory CDI.

I haven't really done anything to the base motor of late. I'm stalled due to the lack of a wiring loom.
I did, however, send the oil cooler off to Ben for modification (for my 914 application). That's back and on the motor. His oil line package is due to arrive this afternoon. As is a set of headers from Henry.
Something else I've finished up is a new set of carburetors. It seems that I restored the first set with venturis a bit too small for this build - 34mm. I picked up a cheap set of IDA's a couple of months back on ebay. I've found that I rather enjoy rebuilding these things, so the plan was to restore and sell them. Instead, I've built them up for this engine with 36mm venturis, and I'll shift the 34's...
I need to start punting some of the other 911 bits I have laying around also. Tins and such.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1706984348.jpg

Well, Christmas came a little late this year. Last night a box from Supertec arrived. Thanks, Henry! They're pretty sexy...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1707084492.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1707084492.jpg

Well, I got the call I've been waiting for a couple of weeks ago. It was Perry to tell me that he was about to start on my wiring loom. It arrived this week which meant I'm back to making forward progress. Thanks again, Perry!...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1709315163.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1709316359.jpg

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I don't know how everyone else lifts these things when they're fully assembled, but I've found it a bit of a pain in the arse with only the single lift bracket.
So... I modified the engine mount just a touch to accept a lift bracket on the front.
Much easier now.
The plan is to have the motor in the start cart this weekend.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1709316827.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1709316827.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1709316827.jpg

I had to install the flywheel and clutch on the bench as my cheapo engine stand doesn't provide enough room...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1709404534.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1709404534.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1709404534.jpg

...And once it it went straight into the start cart!
Really big milestone for me, so I'm well pleased.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1709404729.jpg