Engine assembly hit a snag when I found I didn't have the cam thrust plate. I'm not sure where it is and can only assume some idiot
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me, lost it. At least I was able to get the cam, crank and pistons in.
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I also managed to finish the power steering gear box and get it mounted. The wrench made it too simple if you can believe that.
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One of the car shows I watch demo'd a trick to cleaning aluminum manifolds, brake cleaner and a wire brush. I've tried it and though it's labor intensive it works pretty well.
A closer shot.
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It still needs a lot of work but I keep it close to the tool box and when something frustrates me I work on it for a bit. It's going to be a longer term project. I also painted the firewall. I found an industrial paint called Safety Blue that I thought might be an okay match for the interior, turns out not so much. I thought it was blue enough for the engine bay so I went ahead and shot the firewall with it.
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Other than changing the rag joint,
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priming a few parts
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painting the engine tins,
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and scrubbing the underside of the cab to prepare for primer and paint there, I didn't get a lot done this weekend.