While the block is out for machining I can turn my attention to one of the MANY other sub-projects on #ProjectSportsRoof.
If you’ve followed the blog you know that I’ve tackled the heater box (more to come on that) and as well as cleaning up the engine bay. As you’ve seen the interior needs work. I’ve completed floor pans (sealed/coated), new under-layment and new carpet. That was just the beginning, so much more to do on the inside.
One thing that makes restoring the interior go a bit smoother is having all the little things like screws and other fasteners. That’s where AMK Products comes in.
I saw an AMK commercial on one of the car restoration shows.
Here’s a brief look at what it contains:
It is pretty complete and well labeled for application. You can find more on their website. Go to https://www.amkproducts.com .
Thanks for checking in on #ProjectSportsRoof. I’m working on the heater box and it is now out from under the dash. Although the box was easy to remove, …
It seems that car culture here in Arizona is everywhere. (Or is it just me?) I always have my eye peeled for cool cars and car artifacts, I’m sure my wife thinks I need therapy, sometimes they pop up in surprising places.
In a recent trip to the cool Southern Arizona town of Bisbee – which is right next door to Lowell, AZ (check out my post – click – Road Tripping – Cars – Lowell, Az. we ran across something unique.
Bisbee is a mining town build, mostly, on the side of a mountain. One of its main attractions are the many stairs that you can climb to reach different street levels.
So many stairs that they hold the Bisbee 1000 – The Great Stair Climb annually an it’s a big deal!!
Stairs!!!
Well the stairs we claimed only number 181 and well.. they are pretty steep. As we climbed I had to stop twice…to view the follow….not because I was winded…much!!!
Road Tripping – Cars – Lowell, Az – The Lost Blog Posts http:/. Save … Downtown Lowell, Az Road Tripping – Cars – Lowell, Az – Part I http://wp.me/p2YxYx-1A1 …
Thanks for checking in on #ProjectSportsRoof. I’m working on the heater box and it is now out from under the dash.
Although the box was easy to remove, unfortunately that might have been because the two brackets that hold the unit to the firewall were broken and dropped down only hanging by the A/C block still sticking through slot in the firewall.
Take a look:
The rust isn’t too bad. I’ll clean that up and see how much damage exist, cut out what I can and make a patch for it. You can clearly see the condition of the brackets and the box.
Welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof. With the floor pans welding, sealing and coating finished the next step was to apply the heat and sound barrier. This is …
The 351 Cleveland is out of #ProjectSportsRoof. Yeah…I know!! It seemed like to took forever!!! Seems longer since I have driven it in months. Now if you missed …
I’m finishing the labeling of the components for the heater box before I pull it out. These videos help with replacing any “left over” parts and memory joggers.
Unfortunately I did discover an area of rust and that is never a good thing!!!
Take a look:
Coming up next the box comes out and we take a good look at it.
Welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof. With the floor pans welding, sealing and coating finished the next step was to apply the heat and sound barrier. This is …
The Volkswagen I.D. concept may be as important as the Beetle (according to Volkswagen, anyway), but it’s not the prettiest all-electric concept car in Paris, not by a long shot. A real contender for that title is the Renault Trezor, a gloriously curvy, 350-hp grand tourer with clamshell roof, Formula E-based powertrain and “Multi-Sense” autonomous technologies. If this is what the future looks like, we can’t wait to go there.
The Trezor picks up where Renault left off with the passion-red 2010 DeZir concept in terms of swoopy, show-stopping design. Renault says that in the same way the DeZir influenced the styling elements of future products, like the 2012-introduced Clio and 2015 Kadjar, the Trezor will inform the shape of things to come.
And that’s great news because the Trezor is easily one of the sexiest cars on display in one of the world’s sexiest cities, a city that’s currently playing host to both the 2016 Mondial de L’Automobile and Fashion Week. The Trezor would feel comfortable at either.
As we reported way back in 2010, the DeZir was inspired by “falling in love.” It’s been five years, that love is running deeper than ever and now blossoms into “maturity and commitment” in the Trezor. In other words, the DeZir was red-hot lust embodied, and the Trezor is a stronger, committed relationship (that clearly hasn’t lost a step in the sex and passion departments). It’s all very fitting for a Paris debut.
Like the DeZir, the Trezor is defined by voluptuous front and rear fenders, which come across more smooth and sensual than muscular. The new concept stretches out more dramatically than the DeZir, its long, flowing hood teaming with a roofline that slowly descends to the rear bulge between the fenders.
Though still a two-seater, the new, 185-in (4,700 mm) concept is more than a foot and a half (475 mm) longer than its 2010 predecessor and sits on a wheelbase with an extra 7.6 in (194 mm). The 80.6-in (2,048 mm) front and 83-in (2,106 mm) rear tracks work with that wheelbase to grab hold of the road with the custom Continental tires.
Up front, the Trezor is defined by the cavernous side intakes dropping down from the sharp headlamps and the curved indentation created with help from the chin down below. The rear-end design includes a fiber optic lighting fixture with integrated laser light. “Under braking, the torsion and stacking of the optical fibers creates an interesting visual effect and increases the intensity of the light,” Renault syas of the design.
The low-stance carbon fiber bodywork delivers a slippery drag coefficient of 0.22 and helps keep weight to 3,527-lb (1,600-kg) in conjunction with the carbon monocoque.
The Trezor gives off a first impression of being a full-blown supercar, and word of an F1-influenced powertrain temporarily supports that idea. The electric engine is more modest in output, though, a rear-mounted 349-hp unit derived from the same technology that drove the Renault e.dams car to two Formula E championships. Its 280 lb-ft (380 Nm) of torque help it fire to 62 mph (100 km/h) in four seconds flat.
Individual front and rear battery packs help keep the motor spinning and weight distributed evenly. A Formula E-derived energy recovery braking system helps to extend time between mandatory recharges. In place of the usual fuel filler door on a gas vehicle, Renault has an analog battery level indicator, a refreshingly simple alternative to the ubiquitous smartphone app with systems info.
The Trezor looks like the type of sporting GT that you’d look forward to driving from point to point (and points beyond), but it does include Multi-Sense autonomous mode, along with neutral and sport modes. The steering wheel doesn’t tuck away, like in the VW I.D. and other concepts, instead widening out to open up a better view of the dashboard. The newest front passenger can use the digital dash for watching video content, playing games or doing all those other things one would do on any digital display. The exterior lighting pattern changes in autonomous mode as a signal to other road users.
Before driver and passenger start kicking back and watching video content on the dash display, they need to saddle up into the cabin through the lifting single-piece roof/hood. With no doors to open, the driver and passenger straddle the leather-wrapped sides to get in, a throwback to classic race cars. Inside, Renault takes the bucket seat to a new level with its full-wrapping driver and passenger pockets trimmed in warm, supple red leather.
The wooden dashboard was designed in conjunction with French wooden bicycle company KEIM Cycles, its specially prepared ash wood structure supporting the large L-shaped central OLED UHD touch display and control center and digital instrument panel. The multimedia system automatically recognizes the driver’s smartphone, and apps are exported to the vehicle display for him or her to organize and use as desired.
The red wood of the dashboard extends forward under the hood, wrapping a pair of custom suitcases snugly. Leather straps hold that luggage in place.
The Trezor makes its world debut at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, which opened to the press on Thursday. We pretty much gave up any sliver of hope of production the minute we saw it, but Renault does say the car “previews trends likely to be seen in future Renault models.” So there’s that.
Maybe one of the worse task to tackle on a car is the heater core. In particular on some older cars. In most cases you have to remove the entire dash. I know this because when the heater core sprung a leak in my 1974 Cobra Jet Torino, I didn’t have the time to fix it. I took it to a shop and the cost was hefty.
Since I’m doing a lot more of my own work on #ProjectSportRoof and I’m going to dive in and replace the heater core and like the Torino it is an A/C car.
Now the goal is to attempt to remove the box without taking the entire dash out – that is a huge time sync and it leads down the road of ” since I have it out, I might as well fix…”.
I refer to the heater box as the portion to the right of the blower, there are some references that include the blower as well. There are only 3 bolts holding the heater box in place, two are behind the unit and poke through the firewall and one is in the front. I’m hoping the rest is just getting it in the right angle to pull it out.
I don’t have a camera guy only a small tri-pod that I can set in limited flat spots and record what I can.
HINT: Remove the passenger seat, it sure does help.
Here we go:
Coming up we’ll take a close look at the box, access what needs to be done.
The 351 Cleveland is out of #ProjectSportsRoof. Yeah…I know!! It seemed like to took … Welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof. I’m getting ready to pull the 351C …
Thanks for check in on #ProjectSportsRoof. If you remember a of couple months back, shortly after bringing the ’73 Mustang home, I conducted a compression test on all the cylinders. The 351C was running rough (to put it mildly) and smoked like a pile of tires on fire (only the smoke …
Thanks for continuing to follow #ProjectSportsRoof. The 351 Cleveland has been torn down and you’ve seen the major components and their deplorable condition and it is time now to get it to the machine shop.
It’s not easy finding a good shop. While I was hunting around for a machinist I asked a few car guys I know for suggestions and found the two that were recommended were out of business. That is not uncommon. It is often times more expedient to just drop in a crate or re-manufactured engine (long or short block) and that’s tough to compete against. I was concerned that I’d have to transport the 351C block 100 miles away to check get the work done.
While I was searching for a shop, I was simultaneously search for a re-man’ed long or short block. Of course I was specifically looking for a closely date code 351C and I was told that those blocks are not plentiful. I took my local search to the hot rod shops (by hot rod shops I mean, shops that sell hot rod parts) in town and the shop I chose was recommended by several. I double checked the review that were available and these guys have a very good rep. I’m going to withhold the name until I get the block back.
Luckily I had the block still bolted to the engine stand. That and my cat-like reflexes (HA) kept a disaster from occurring.
Hoisted!!! ^^^ lots of Mustang parts
Not withstanding my attempts to bounce the block off the garage floor it is finally suspended and ready to get loaded.
Tied Down – This is the fastest this engine has done in months!!!
Upon arrival at the machine shop two guys unloaded the block and I asked them to measure the current bore and the size of the crank.
The results were as follows:
The stock bore is 4″ and the measurements of the current bore is .030 under making the bore 4.030. You’ve seen the condition of the cylinders and the shop recommended to take another .010 off making the proposed bore 4.040″.
Now the crank was measured as well and it was .010 machined from stock thickness. Purposed is to take it down another .010 to .020 under.
The shop recommended to replace the cam, so that will happen.
This ended the speculation about the originality of the engine. Clearly this was rebuilt at least once.
Now decisions need to be made. But first let’s take stock of where we are and then play a little “What If”, shall we?
Using this standard formula for determining displacement: Bore2 X Stroke X 0.7854 X Cylinders (laid out below from a spreadsheet)
Bore
X
Bore
X
Stroke
X
0.7854
X
Cylinders
=
Displacement
Stock
4
4
3.5
0.7854
8
351.8592
Current
4.03
4.03
3.5
0.7854
8
357.1568801
Proposed
4.04
4.04
3.5
0.7854
8
358.9315699
Just cleaning up the cylinders will move the displacement from 351 (stock) to 358 as proposed. That is currently where we are.
Now let’s play What If!!! What if I increased the bore a bit more? Here is what that look like in displacement terms.
Taking up the bore one more .010 to 4.05″ looks like this.
Bore
X
Bore
X
Stroke
X
0.7854
X
Cylinders
=
Displacement
Option
4.05
4.05
3.5
0.7854
8
360.710658
4.05 is the furthest I want to do with the bore – if it’s possible. I know one Mustang owner that has his bore 4.06″, however, I’m not comfortable with that. So we’ve increased the displacement 360.
Now let’s work on the stroke. The machining of the crank will net little to no change in the displacement. To increase that I’d have to go with a different crank. So what do those number look like? Leaving the bore at 4.04 and increase the stroke yields the following increases:
Bore x Bore x Stroke x 0.7854 x #Cylinders Displacement
Option
4.04
4.04
3.75
0.7854
8
384.5695392
Option
4.04
4.04
4
0.7854
8
410.2075085
Basically the 400
Let’s go a bit further with the increase in bore:
Bore x Bore x Stroke x 0.7854 x #Cylinders Displacement
Option
4.05
4.05
3.75
0.7854
8
386.475705
Option
4.05
4.05
4
0.7854
8
412.240752
Option
4.05
4.05
3.85
0.7854
8
396.7817238
Off the shelf long stroke cranks
Option
4.04
4.04
3.85
0.7854
8
394.8247269
Off the shelf long stroke cranks
Care to share your thoughts on the build? Drop me a note!!!
The 351 Cleveland is out of #ProjectSportsRoof. Yeah…I know!! It seemed like to took … Welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof. I’m getting ready to pull the 351C …
Well we are finally at the next to last post for the tear down of my 1973 Mustang SportsRoof 351 Cleveland. Everything has been removed and we can not get a look at the last piece of the puzzle in figuring out what needs to be done to make this thing run again.
Take a look at the cylinders.
All the indications are that this engine was oil starved at some point. I’m sure it was a result of the valve supporting the #2 cylinder being fired shut, but that is still just a guess.
If you look back at earlier posts, I waffled between guessing if this Cleveland had been apart and worked on. Well by the sight of the cross-hatching it’s clear that the cylinders have been worked before and I’m guessing the rings are well.
Next the block, crank and cam are headed off to a machine shop and things become very clear after the experts look at this 351C.
The 351 Cleveland is out of #ProjectSportsRoof. Yeah…I know!! It seemed like to took … Welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof. I’m getting ready to pull the 351C …
Thanks checking back in with the 1973 Mustang (#ProjectSportsRoof). … the knocking in the bottom end and if the 351 Cleveland in #ProjectSportsRoof is going …
Welcome to #ProjectSportsRoof and the seeming never ending processing of tearing down the 351C. We are in the final stages and I wanted to show you the crank and cam condition. I put together the video below.
As you can see the crank is not in great shape and the cam is a bit worn. The crank is going to have to be turned and the cam might be beyond polishing.
Leaving the flange on was a time set back as I had to stabilize the engine with the hoist so that I could unbolt it from the engine stand. I had intended to drop it on an engine cradle but I hadn’t even un-boxed it yet so I removed the flange and the flex plate and bolted it back on the engine stand.
It’s now clear that the engine had severe oil starvation at some point and this caused all the damage – ring wear in the cylinders (you’ll see that coming up), severe wear crank and main bearings.
It just about time to get this block off to the machine shop. I’m going to have them do some measurements for me and help decide what needs to be done to save this engine.
I have a couple more posts for the tear down and those are coming up.
The 351 Cleveland is out of #ProjectSportsRoof. Yeah…I know!! It seemed like to took … Welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof. I’m getting ready to pull the 351C …
Welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof. With the floor pans welding, sealing and coating finished the next step was to apply the heat and sound barrier. This is …