Mal,
Your wheel 'Mal-function' seems to have started some 'true confessions' from some of us less 'perfected' wrench-monkeys!
DanL

Yea I think my distributor may be 'a tooth' off, as you say.

Dave, You say 'oil pump' in your comments.
Do you mean "Distributor"? (I did drop the pan last fall and cleaned the oil intake float, but didn't mess with the oil pump).

Maybe I could do it (distributor) myself, but I am afraid I am 'gun shy' of doing engine work for the 1st time w/o back-up. You guy have been doing this for years. Not me. (I did buy a distributor wrench though, neat gadget.)

I also did a search of "distributor install" on PInfo Forums and learned some things from 4 or 5 discussion in the last 18 months. When you loosen the distributor bolts and pull it out, is there any part that might fall down into the oil pan? I am afraid of messing something up out of ignorance.

DanL

LOL...well it's a pretty new bench. If you actually look at the picture you will see what looks like a blue haze on the bench under the air clearer. Two days after I built that bench, I spilled some of the firewall paint while filling my spraygun. So I tried quickly to clean it up with the thinner, and all I accomplished was making a blue wood stain that looks like my Packard.

Solex (tinted) windshields were made available starting in 1952. And to those who have had to buy a new windshield for a 55/56 Caribbean, $325 would be the steal of the century.

I'm wondering if the sheet metal shedder could be made in some way to hold the seal at the collar too. I don't know. I'll have to dig out a collar, valve and spring to anayze further.

Also beware. Many of the SBC builders and other engine builders are touting the teflon seal that grips over the valve guide. These are fine for OHC engines because they throw a terrific amount of oil to lube the cam. NOT suitable for OHV engines.

So, u want to study the SBC FACTORY set up (ca. 1965-1973) and not what some hot rodder or machine shop wants to sell u tha twill only last 20K miles or so..

"i have the perfectmetal for that too... would that render a seal replacement unnecissary if installed right?
"

The problem is the seal at the retaining collar. I don't know what to do about it.

NOTE: that the seals can be replaced withOUT removing the head.

Quote:

David,
Learnt something today.

SBC has an EXTRA groove in the valve stem just below the keeper grooves. A speperate square sectioned o-ring sets in the groove and is compressed into a taper in the retaining collar whe nthe collar is installed. This is similar to Packrds seal on the collar but the packard valve has no groove and the seal is affixed to the collar in someway.

The SBC has NO other seal touching the stem at any point. It has ONLY the o-ring as described above.

ADDITIONALY, the SBC has a sheet metal umbrella that fits over the top of the spring and is held in place by the valve collar. It extends down the OUTside of the spring about 3/8 inch. THey never wear out. I can measure an SBC sheet metal umbrella if u want know.

What have u found to make the sheet metal shedders from???? I never could find anything that was just rite. I really hate those damned MoParseals on the stem that i put in.

a sheet metal cover to surround the spring to keep oil away from the stem/ sealed area? interesting. i have the perfectmetal for that too... would that render a seal replacement unnecissary if installed right?

I dont think ive ever seen a sbc up close, except for under hoods at car shows. ill have to track someone down who knows about them and can pull a valve cover for me.

Lovely project. For those interested, the engine picture illustrates one of the unique features of the 35-36 block, that being the location of the crankcase vent. Also, one very minor suggestion, I note you have a lovely painted transmission, ready to mount in your beautiful frame. Be advised there is an auxillary ground strap from transmission top cover to frame, where you will want to be sure you have good metal to metal contact. Other than that, carry on....