First of the Texas Twins, First Build Options

[Puebloswatcop]

After installing the engine tin, I went to re-install the distributor. It would not go back in because it interfered with the tin. I realized I had the distributor installed 180 degrees out. So after re-installing the distributor drive and re-orienting the distributor, it all ligned up perfectly.

That's not a stock distributor. What is it?

It's just a mock up distributor. The plan is to install a 123 distributor so I can tune it via blue tooth

[Puebloswatcop]

Did you check the flywheel end play?

I did check it and it measured at .1016 mm.

[Puebloswatcop]

I know its been awhile, just doesn't seem to be enough hours in a day to work and play with the 914. But did get some more parts blasted to be sent to Finish Plating services for plating. Mostly just small misc. parts, but I needed my cooling flap clip (arrow) finished before I could proceed with my engine build.....I know, pretty picky since it will never be seen, but I hate rust.

[Puebloswatcop]

Didn't get any work done on the car this weekend....however a new piece of car bling arrived in the mail today.....My new 123 Tune Plus Distributor arrived, it is a work of car art....Many thanks to Gonzo54 and Ed Madak for making this group buy a reality....

I went with the angled Distributor Cap just to give it a try. If I dont like it I'll just buy a standard cap

[Puebloswatcop]

Spent a couple of hours with my baby in the garage this evening. The part that I needed to finish the cooling flaps arrived today....

[Puebloswatcop]

Now to get it into this small space and clipped in place....But after a bit of fumbling with my fat stubby fingers, its in.

[Puebloswatcop]

Then I prepped the rear half of the fan shroud, I chased all of the threaded holes needed to mate the front half to the rear half. some of them had quite a buildup of hardened powder coat in them.

[Puebloswatcop]

Next I needed to unwrap the front half of the fan shroud...it hasn't breathed fresh air for months.

[Puebloswatcop]

After completing the install I decided to call it a night..The install went okay with the excetion of one thing, I ordered the wrong size allen head bolts, so for now I have it back together using the old cheese head screws. Will go back and change them out as soon as I can locate them locally or I will have to wait for an order from Bel-Metric. Felt good to spend some time playing with big boy toys again.

[Puebloswatcop]

Been absent for a bit. My daughter took me on a vacation to Florida to the Kennedy Space Center and Disney World. Fantastic trip, but I will skip Disney in the future...lol.

Anyway have gotten a few things done on the car, not alot, but inching forward.

Started with getting the thermostat system installed. The parts came back from FPS looking like new. Of course I couldn't wait to put them on.

[Puebloswatcop]

After completing the install I used a het gun to insure the system was operating as it should. The operation of the flaps was not as smooth as I hoped for, but with the vibration of the engine with running there should not be any problems. Plus I think the new bushings and new paint on the flap shaft will wear in time and allow for smoother operation.

[Puebloswatcop]

Now its time to start filling in some of the holes in the engine tin.

[Puebloswatcop]

I broke out the seals that I bought months ago from 914 Rubber.

[Puebloswatcop]

And then filled in with the J Tubes. The sealing grove on the seals was not as deep as the original part, so it kept popping out of the tin when trying to push in the J Tubes, however once everything was bolted in place the seal was nice and tight, no air leaks there.

[Puebloswatcop]

Then its time to add more tin. But first I installed a new alternator belt. Much easier than doing it with all the other tin in place.

Then the front tin went on.

[Puebloswatcop]

Now its really starting to look like the engine I removed from the car, only alot cleaner....

[Puebloswatcop]

Next I needed to clear some shelf space in the garage, so I installed the Dual Weber 44's.
I know everyone says 40's are the way to go, but since I have a 2056 with a higher lift cam and larger valves, I went with 44's after consulting several sources. I figure if I don't like the way they perform I will switch them out to 40's.

First the intake runners went on, then using locktite blue, I installed the carb studs.

[Puebloswatcop]

First carb in place.....then add the top gasket.

[Puebloswatcop]

Then the linkage adaptor plate, another gasket and the filter base and air horns.....

[Puebloswatcop]

Both carbs installed and the airfilters in place...