#1
IP: 71.117.120.179
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couple overhaul questions for the experts
I am attaching several photos in reference to my questions. First, when assembling the oil pan, block, and flywheel housing, I noticed the oil pan and block were not 100% flush with each other. I told myself it was a slight imperfection in the way they fit, and that the housing gasket along with a layer of sealant would take care of it. Now I'm growing a little nervous that i should have investigated it a little further, and don't want to get this in the boat and realize I've got oil spraying all over the compartment. How often do you see this situation? (Misaligned housings, not oily engine compartments because someone didn't do their homework)
Also, I am attaching a picture of two distributor bodies. Can you tell me the difference between these, and if you have a preference? Or if I am being a little too particular? And lastly, the two distributor caps. both in very good condition, but the contact points are not identical. On one cap, they are further recessed into the cap than on the other. I don't know if these are two different model caps, or if the points are in the right location with different plastic forms around them. Much appreciated. David Smiley face just because |
#2
IP: 38.102.16.123
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David,
The misalignment in your photo is rather troubling, and it raises a question in terms of the alignment on the other end of the engine. The noticeable misalignment between block and oil pan on the flywheel end of the block should carry through and create a misalignment between the back of the oil pan and the back of the aft housing of the reversing gear. In my judgment, any such misalignment between the aft housing and oil pan would be more problematic in terms of oil seepage. Assuming you have both alignment pins installed between the block and oil pan, the front of the block and oil pan should line up perfectly. The only time I recall seeing such a misalignment is when we have to replace a block or oil pan, and the alignment pin holes don't line up perfectly. In a few of these cases we've had to assemble the block, pan, and flywheel housing without the alignment pins to create a perfect fit in front of the block and oil pan, and then "adjust" the alignment pin holes a bit with a file before reinstalling them. With respect to differences in distributor caps, we have had a few reports in the past year or so from folks who discovered that a particular cap and rotor combination will simply not work on their Atomic 4. The largest consideration appears to be in the clearance between the tip of the rotor and the contacts inside the cap. Here are two particularly interesting excerpts from Brian Geraghty. Brian did a really credible job of defining the affects of excessive clearance between caps and rotors on his engine: Quote:
Quote:
Your distributor question is considerably easier than the first two. Both distributors are late model Delco distributors. The one with the vent hole in the bottom of the housing is considerably newer (circa late 1970's), but otherwise completely interchangeable. Don |
#3
IP: 71.117.120.179
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misalignment
Thanks Don. I'll take a closer look this afternoon, but all of the housings went together very smoothly. I was actually a little disconcerted at how easily the reversing gear and aft housing slid into place. I was expecting that I would have to wrestle with it for an entire afternoon, and it went into place in a matter of minutes. All the pins are in place on oil pan and aft housing. nothing seemed misaligned except on the very forward part of the block/oil pan. It was almost as if someone had milled the front of the pan (where the flywheel housing meets) by about 1/32 of an inch.
I'll double check the aft housing alignment where it meets the pan at the coupling. |
#4
IP: 71.117.120.179
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alignment pictures
don,
I just took a few pictures of the misalignment. it looks as though alignment at the far aft end of the engine may have may be off just a touch, but is much less pronounced than at the flywheel. I ran a .004 gauge between the coupling and the pan/aft housing joint, and it won't go in. It did, however, sink all the way in between the flywheel and the oil pan, just below the block, on the port side of the engine. Won't slide into the gap on the same place on the starboard side, which is the side pictured in yesterday's post. So, what I am thinking is, would it be possible, or advisable, to loosen the bolts holding the housings together slightly, and retorque them in a sequence that may favor bringing the existing gaps closed? for instance, tighten up the coupling, then the flywheel, then everything in between? I can't imagine how this could be off in the first place. Everything was in good condition and immaculate when I put them together, and nothing seemed too tight or loose as I was working.. |
#5
IP: 38.102.16.123
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Your assessment is probably correct. If the rear flanges seat flat against the oil pan and aft housing, you should be OK. I'll be very surprised if the area around the flywheel housing leaks, especially if you put a good amount of sealer on both sides of the gasket.
Don |
#6
IP: 38.102.16.123
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David,
It probably would be a good idea to loosen all 12 block bolts (6 on each side of the block) and the 8 aft housing bolts (4 on each side). However, you'll have to tap out both alignment pins between the block and pan or the block and pan won't be able to move in relation to each other. After the bolts are all loose and the pins removed, the pan and block should move just enough to relieve the stress imposed by the misalignment. If this happens, you'll have to tweak the alignment holes to reinstall the pins. If there is no shift between the block and pan with everything loose, there probably isn't enough misalignment between the aft housing and pan to worry about. Don |
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