Engine sees light

[deathsled]

After decades hidden in a closet, I pulled my Hertz's original engine out. A friend pushed me to buy an engine stand and we went to Harbor Freight and I bought a Pittsburgh 1,000 pound stand for $100.00. We got it on the stand and I went looking through a bucket of bolts and he identified the original head bolts. He said the rocker nuts were not correct because there was an allen key screw in each of them that prevents the nuts from backing off once the lash (I believe it is called) is corrected. So we started adding things. The Cobra intake was restored by Jim Cowles of Shelby Parts and Restoration. Added the harmonic balancer. He also identified a special thick washer that is hipo specific for the balancer. Now it sits in my office space further nudging me to send the block out to do a build. Well, it's a start anyway.

[JD]

Well done, identify all the parts you can - date codes, numbers, stampings, etc.

[SFM6S]

Congrats!! Progress being made.

Joe

[deathsled]

Thanks, gentlemen.  I wrote down some numbers.  Did not know there was a casting number and also a separate number for the assembly date on this engine. And the heads have numbers and the timing cover.  Not sure if these are proprietary numbers like the Ford vin (which I have committed to memory).  I can list the casting and assembly date numbers along with the K code heads if it is safe to do so.  I don't see the harm in it but opinions please.

[Bob Gaines]

Thanks, gentlemen.  I wrote down some numbers.  Did not know there was a casting number and also a separate number for the assembly date on this engine. And the heads have numbers and the timing cover.  Not sure if these are proprietary numbers like the Ford vin (which I have committed to memory).  I can list the casting and assembly date numbers along with the K code heads if it is safe to do so.  I don't see the harm in it but opinions please.

Don't worry about posting the engineering numbers from the parts. It is not an issue like the VIN.

[deathsled]

Engine asting date: 6A5
              C5AE8015E

Assembly date: 6A12D

Heads:         19 5L5 passenger side
               19 5L4 driver's side

Harmonic balancer: K5

Timing cover:    C50E6059A2
Casting date:    65

[427heaven]

SLED... the first step is usually the hardest. Good to see some forward momentum!

[GT350Lad]

Totally.. your on the way my friend

[Steve McDonald Formally known as Mcdonas]

Richard, if you decide to use the "Poly Locks" for the valve adjustment Summit has a set of valve cover gaskets from a company called TransDapt, they are 5/16 thick and allow use of the original valve cover with the metal shield/baffles still installed
Part Number: TRD-9646

[S7MS427]

deathsled,

Such fun, almost wish I was doing it all again. Almost.

I went through what you are about two and a half years or so ago. The original block came with my car but was very rusty. I've posted most of the engine rebuild and subsequent installation (more to come) on my website (S-TechEnt.com/Shelby_Web_Pages//66_GT350H/GT350H.htm and click on Engine Rebuild). Be sure to look for the other stamped date on the oil pan rail above the block engineering number. This is thought to be the date the block was machined. Let us know what you find. Best of luck with the build.

[JohnSlack]

I always enjoy these adventures as they unfold, are you going back to the factory specifications?

[deathsled]

Richard, if you decide to use the "Poly Locks" for the valve adjustment Summit has a set of valve cover gaskets from a company called TransDapt, they are 5/16 thick and allow use of the original valve cover with the metal shield/baffles still installed
Part Number: TRD-9646

Thanks Steve. I see no reason not to keep them. The block is missing two so I will find a suitable replacement and use the gaskets. Thank you very much for the part number.

[deathsled]

It looks like the oil pan rail stamping is
6A12B with a couple of cross engravings

[deathsled]

I always enjoy these adventures as they unfold, are you going back to the factory specifications?

That makes the most sense. Except for the Poly Locks as they are called. I will be hunting for a Cobra T pan I suppose. And a FoMoCo dual point distributor specific for a 66 HiPo.

[S7MS427]

It looks like the oil pan rail stamping is
6A12B with a couple of cross engravings

Interesting, my block also had the same date for both stampings (5L3), the letter at the end is supposed to be the machinest/assembler's initial. I requested the those stampings not be removed during the machining process. And they were left untouched. The business owner is a former '66 GT350 owner...