383 L31 V8 Ole Yellar build

[Mr_Roboto]

Yeah, that probably saved GM a half a nickel a nut or something. Even my Lemans has em. Having yanked a column in the recent past, it's a good bit of work.

Starting to think about working on mine a bit again, just been so burned out on it I can't describe it.

[1Gary]

Got ahold of my friend who has the parts needing to be balanced.He told me he has been going threw abunch of family issues(for one he is in the middle of arrangements to bury his father-in-law)I told no hurry and take care of his family first.

[1Gary]

This almost hurts to say.Last Friday I got word back on balancing my 383 rotating assembly.Just to remind everyone I bought more than I need in getting "a deal" on a Howards crank.Now after yrs later I find out it is truly a excellent pc in that Competition Products had at the time bought out Cola crank and re-branded it as a Howards.That both Howards and Cola are very light steel cranks.

So anyhow I get a call to tell me I will need 2pcs of very expensive Mallory on the front counter wt and one on the rear one.The cost would be in the range of $400 to $500. I tell him to hold up and wanted to call Competition Products to see if they would help me out on this situation.I call Competition and speak to the guy that is the head of returns.Explain that I know it has been a very longtime,but I was hoping they would still be interested in helping me out on a return to them to have them balanced it in the shipping costs and the balancing charges.The guy tells me he has to talk to his boss and would need the Bob Wt.We agree I would call him back today.

Called him back to tell him the Bob Wt is 1736.He tells me his boss won't help at all.That the balance would be about $400 plus shipping.So I call back today to my machinist to ask him to get a more exact price to have it done locally.

We all(me included)knew this could either way where it wouldn't need anything or "could" get expensive.This is the last hick-up on this build before putting together a short block.The rest is pretty much straight forward for this Cola crank,Scat rod,I-Con piston engine.

[Mr_Roboto]

Lotta scratch indeed especially considering it's a new crank which I would think would typically be "heavy" so that you didn't have to drop a ton of Mallory in it to make it work. You can get an Eagle forging for that kinda cash, even though it would still need balancing.

Those should NOT be heavy parts in the grand scheme, are you sure that your machinist isn't trying to balance it to an internal balance when it needs to be externally balanced? Just asking. If you've got internal balance parts you may be stuck with what you have, but at the same time if you can return them and get external balance stuff it may make a huge difference. Ultimately your machinist would be the one to ask.

Also, are you sure you have the right rod/piston combo length wise for the crank? I believe that can affect balance too.

[1Gary]

It was the very last 5.7 rod crank they had.They won't take a return.It is a internal balance crank too.The advantages to them are your not stuck with only one balancer/flexplate and are supposed to be better for long mileage on the bearings,but the disadvantages are the combo in brand name rod and pistons are set.I'm thinking given a $60/per Mallory plug and either way still $200 to spin it,to external balance it getting a H/B'er and flexplate and having those balanced might be pretty close to a wash in costs.The Bob wt was 1736.All Competition offered was for them to balance it.Then the shipping costs at 59lbs to them and back pretty much knocks them out of consideration.

[Mr_Roboto]

Way it goes some days Gary. If this stuff was easy or cheap, everyone would do it. Although most hot rodders are about doing more for less with a street driven vehicle (race vehicles seem to be about doing less for more) It seems like one way or another they get their money from you. Hope it works out, pretty soon you'll have a short block it sounds like.

[1Gary]

I bought piano keys for some of the rust repair.No,no,it's a sheet metal parts used in body work.

[Mr_Roboto]

I bought piano keys for some of the rust repair.No,no,it's a sheet metal parts used in body work.

Should give you grief that Elton John's going to be working on your van. Shoot, I'd love to be getting that direction on mine eventually but she needs to run first.

[1Gary]

LOL-Maybe going to go play with them tomorrow.

[1Gary]

Finally with one carpal tunnel left hand still sore and the right hand not heal yet I managed to load my Howards 383 5.7 rod crank in the truck to be balanced.Yes folks it's at the machine shop.To be continued.............

[Mr_Roboto]

Whoa that's awesome. One day at a time, one piece at a time. As long as you're gaining ground that's what counts!

[Smiliesafari]

You're making better progress than me.

[1Gary]

I should be getting the crank back at the end of the month.Then we will build the short block.

[1Gary]

Better late than never.Yes,can you believe it??. Picked up my crank from the machine shop today.All balanced and ready for assembly. The next step is to put together the short block.

[Mr_Roboto]

Whoa, I come back and see progress. Far more than I have made. GL with it G man.