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Topic: 5.0 Meet Turbo Coupe (Read 15173 times) previous topic - next topic

5.0 Meet Turbo Coupe

Reply #15
Quote from: 88turbo;288734
any update on this?  I'm enjoying the read and the pointers as I will really be needing them :D


Hey there 88 Turbo.  You could say my project got sidetracked.  Since I last posted, I found and bought a GT40 engine.  When I was taking the intake off to swap out the stock cam with a TFS Stage 1, one of the intake bolts snapped off in the head. 

Because of the bolt breaking off in the head, I pulled that head, so I could extract the broken bolt.  When I pulled the head, I was surprised to see rust in the #5 cylinder.  It wasn't too bad, but it was bad enough that I knew a rebuild was in order.  So much for my budget to get this thing together and on the road soon!

The machine shop has already machined the block and heads.  They're gonna assemble the rotating assembly (minus the cam) for me this week.  I'm gonna assemble the rest of the engine. 

I wasn't budgeted for having a rebuild, like I said, so that really set me back schedule-wise on this project.  I am happy though, knowing that the engine will be fresh and ready to go.  I also find solace in the fact that I'll have the short block back soon, so I can finish assembling the engine and drop that bad boy into the Blackbird.

I have almost everything I'll need to get the car running and drivable.  The only parts I need to get at this point would be lers, flow tubes, a hardened input shaft, spark plugs and a trick valve body from Silverfox Racing.

I'll be sure to keep everyone posted on my progress once I get the shortblock back and am able to start working on the Blackbird again.
William

5.0 Meet Turbo Coupe

Reply #16
Sounds great.I'm building a GT40 engine as well using the same cam.I'm going to have the heads ported and worked over including a 5 angle valve job.My engine looked nearly new (It was a low 30,xxx mile engine).The inside looked new everywhere as well).I'll be watching for updates as well.Hope you have some soon.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Hey Vinnie

Reply #17
Wow!  It's been a long time since I talked to you.  You've helped me more with this project than anyone else.  I bought more parts from you than from anyone on here.

Since I'm running an AOD (Dirty Dog non-locking converter flashes to 3200),  my car will behave different than your T5-equipped Bird.  I've got no doubts that our cars will be a blast to drive though. 
I'll definitely keep everyone updated.  Good to hear from you Vinnie.  Be sure to keep me updated on yours too Buddy.

Quote from: vinnietbird;294447
Sounds great.I'm building a GT40 engine as well using the same cam.I'm going to have the heads ported and worked over including a 5 angle valve job.My engine looked nearly new (It was a low 30,xxx mile engine).The inside looked new everywhere as well).I'll be watching for updates as well.Hope you have some soon.
William

5.0 Meet Turbo Coupe

Reply #18
Will do.I'm at a time-out for the car right now until funds build back up.I'm coming along well.I got the GT40P engine for super cheap,and have acquired most of the parts I need to build it.I'm basically down to seals and gaskets....after the heads are done.I have finned aluminum Cobra valve covers,but I'm thinking I may want something different.I'm looking around.I like a factory look,but not factory  (????). I like the idea of a built AOD.I often miss mine.I could bark the tires in the first 3 gears,plus,no constant shifting in this small town.BUT,I have to say,the 5 speed changed the Sport's whole attitude.I won't go back to an automatic with car.Good luck with the build.I hope to see some pics soon.I need to post a few new ones myself.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

5.0 Meet Turbo Coupe

Reply #19
Well...  My block, crank and pistons are all ready to be picked up from the machine shop Monday.  I checked the calibration of my torque wrench in the garage today and it's good to go, so I should be all ready to start putting the engine together later this week.  If I was going to use ARP head bolts, I wouldn't be quite as concerned about my torque wrench's calibration being spot on.  Since I'm using the torque to yield head bolts that came with the FRPP head gasket kit I got from Jegs, I want to KNOW the exact amount of torque I'm putting on those bolts.  I don't want to take any chances.
William

5.0 Meet Turbo Coupe

Reply #20
I agree.I can't find my torque wrench,luckily a buddy of mine has one.I'll be watching the head bolts close as well.My heads should be done Tuesday or Wednesday.I'll snap some pics of them.I also dropped off some parts for cleaning and bead blasting.Closer by the day.Can you post a few pics of yours when you get the big parts?
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Hey Vinnie

Reply #21
I'll definitely take a lot of pics and share them as I'm building the engine.  I was wondering if you're planning on using TTY head bolts, or regular head bolts like ARP's?

I hope you take plenty of pics with your build too.  I'd love to see them.

Quote from: vinnietbird;295246
I agree.I can't find my torque wrench,luckily a buddy of mine has one.I'll be watching the head bolts close as well.My heads should be done Tuesday or Wednesday.I'll snap some pics of them.I also dropped off some parts for cleaning and bead blasting.Closer by the day.Can you post a few pics of yours when you get the big parts?
William

5.0 Meet Turbo Coupe

Reply #22
I'll start taking pics tomorrow.I'm using the regular style head bolts.I have a set,so I may as well use them.I'm working "right',but cheap.LOTS of trading,and selling parts for $$ to get what I need and for the machine work being done.I was really lucky to get a 32,000 mile engine for $125.00 as well.It looks new inside....everywhere.I'm VERY curious how much power this will get to the wheels.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

5.0 Meet Turbo Coupe

Reply #23
I had a good time dressing this engine out today.  At this point, I have the rotating assembly is in the block.  I put the heads and timing gears/chain on today and degreed the cam.  My cam had slightly different specs than the cam card had on it.  My cam when installed dot, to dot was actually 2 degrees advanced.

I took some pics and will have those posted in the next day, or two.  I'm having a great time with all of this.  I can't wait to drive this thing!  I can't see how it's not gonna be a blast to drive.  Especially since my converter flashes to 3200 RPM.  :burnout:
William

5.0 Meet Turbo Coupe

Reply #24
In some of the pics, you'll notice where the paint is thin on the front of the heads.  I touched up those areas with paint before I mounted the accessories on the front of the engine.
William

5.0 Meet Turbo Coupe

Reply #25
More pics.
William

5.0 Meet Turbo Coupe

Reply #26
Can anyone tell what personal touch I gave to my upper plenum?  I'll give you a hint.  It SUCKED!  It was tedious work!
William

5.0 Meet Turbo Coupe

Reply #27
NICE !!! I have GOT to get pics,but,I still don't have the heads back yet.I'm going with Ford blue on my engine.I like yours,looking great.I am going to install my polished parts (alternator,tensioner,intake),and hopefully the engine will look half as good as yours does.I'm using the same kind of injectors as you also.Are you getting really anxious yet?I am.I still have some seals and gaskets to get,but that'll happen.What throttlebody are you using?I'm sticking with the 65.It's been great.Also,what cam did you say you're using?.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

5.0 Meet Turbo Coupe

Reply #28
Thanks for the good words Vinnie.  As soon as you get some pics of your engine, be sure to post them.  You know we all want to see!!!  It sure is frustrating waiting on the last few parts.  Isn't it?

For now, I'm gonna stick with the 65mm TB.  I'm running the Stage 1 cam, 2 degrees advanced (I degreed the cam and found that when I installed it dot, to dot, it had 2 degrees of advance built into it).

I'm more anxious than I know how to handle!!  :)  Thanks for the good words.  Here's a little test for you.  I know you're an expert on these cars.  Can you tell how I customized my upper plenum?  I hope this drives you nuts trying to figure it out.  You have to look really carefully at the last pic to see what's different about my upper.

Quote from: vinnietbird;297089
NICE !!! I have GOT to get pics,but,I still don't have the heads back yet.I'm going with Ford blue on my engine.I like yours,looking great.I am going to install my polished parts (alternator,tensioner,intake),and hopefully the engine will look half as good as yours does.I'm using the same kind of injectors as you also.Are you getting really anxious yet?I am.I still have some seals and gaskets to get,but that'll happen.What throttlebody are you using?I'm sticking with the 65.It's been great.Also,what cam did you say you're using?.
William

5.0 Meet Turbo Coupe

Reply #29
By the way guys.  I know the rear vacuum tube, coming out from under the upper plenum goes to the vacuum tree, but what does the vacuum tube that comes out from under the front of the upper go to?  It's the only vacuum tube I don't know what to do with.
William