Projects from THE COMPOUND

I just got a text from him with a pic of some really ugly bearings. He's still deciding on whether to patch this engine or just find another. When I left there on Tuesday he was talking about an LT1 install. I guess one of the burdens of being retired is all that time to over-think things.

Yeah, all those T5s are VSS versions. Didn't seem to turn buyers off last year so I'm hoping for a repeat. I'll find out in 2 weeks.

I got as far as I could on your D50 thread but for some reason it wouldn't let me go to page 2. Looks like a fun project. I'll have to check back later.

New bearings in, a few new gaskets and a coat of paint.

Broke down the T-5s for the pre-swapmeet input mods.

Started by taking a trip over to a coworker's place to "machine" the splines back. Essentially, we chucked it in his lathe, used a grinder for most of the heavy work, then cleaned it up with the cutter bit. Stock on the left, modified on the right.

Scott's filthy work space. There's a lathe under there...somewhere.

Next step was to nip the end off with a cutoff wheel and dress the end with my belt sander.


Cut down the collar.

Finished product is dimensionally identical to my Muncie making it possible to bolt this to any standard SBC bellhousing without needing any adapters or spacers. They do require a specific (but readily available) clutch disc.

I'm keeping 1 and the rest go to the swapmeet in a week. Hopefully none come home.

So here's the update on my dad's '36; Got it all back together and it sounds better but still has a noise in it. General consensus is that it's likely a wrist pin. Since the engine had so many other issues that the $100 patch didn't fix anyway, he decided to just get another engine. We both watched CL for a few days. I found an ad that looked promising and he swung by and snatched it on his way into town yesterday. Rebuilt 350 Vortec (good heads, 4-bolt main, roller cam, etc.) in a crate with paperwork -- $600. Hell yeah!

Old one out...

New one in...

Should be a runner tomorrow.

It's a runner again. Says it's extremely smooth compared to the old engine. No leaks, no smoke, no noises -- just like it should be. Plus, he finally relocated that horrible firewall mounted electric fuel pump back down to the frame rail.
He said next few tasks will be gauges, refine the throttle linkage, and maybe a fan shroud.



And I'm down to two T-5s left.

I buy them on 1/2-off sale days at PickNPull for just over $100 after core charge and other BS fees. Rough math would indicate I have about 2 hours total time in each one (not including drive time) between pulling, cleaning, and modifications. I've been getting $450 for the WC versions and $350 for the NWC. My suggestion would be to hold out for a WC if you can. They were a '93-only as far as I can tell although it might make sense to check late '92s also as I've seen a couple with '92 date codes in the castings. Also, as you are probably aware, they will be a VSS speedo drive. Personally, I look at that as a plus since I've had good luck with Cable-X units. Makes a pretty hassle free solution to gear and tire changes. If you want a cable drive you're looking at pre-'87 (IIRC).

sss969 seems to be pretty well versed in them and I believe he's built some hybrid units using Fbody gears and S-10 cases.