Making stuff fit inside the block: Started on the internals today. Was able to pick up the right Plasticgauge at the auto parts store this morning. The process is pretty simple, but time consuming. Once I had the rod on the crank, it was just a matter of torquing the rod in 20# increments to 170#, following ARC's instructions. The gauge read at .0025, right where ARC said was ideal.
I'm using a mild Dynocams Superstock cam and new Dynocam lifters. Nice and polished as opposed to the stock grind.
I used a dab of red paint to mark the crank to line up the cam. The bearing makes it a bear to get everything lined up. I used plenty of 30 wgt oil on the cam, crank and lifters.
Then the fun began. I inserted the piston and rod after lubing both the skirt of the piston and the cylinder wall--which I had given a very light hone (even though Briggs says not to on a Kool Bore).
I went to install the rod cap, and started rotating the crank around to get the bolts so I could put them in...The oil slinger was hitting against the forward side of the block. So I called ARC to find out if I had ordered the wrong rod...I hadn't as my rod is 3.875" and is stock length. The technician pulled out an IC block and checked was I was telling him about. There's a rib across the forward side and that needed to be eased a bit to clear the slinger. I traced around the slinger to locate the area.
I used a cut off wheel on the Dremel to create the groove needed. It's longer than the rib because the slinger was hitting the case also. The groove is in the area where an oil sensor would be located, so I don't think I weakened the block at all. I made sure I had about 3/32" clearance.
Of course, the entire block had to be cleaned and wiped down along with the crank, rod, cap and piston. I had to re-lube everything before starting assembly again.
Finally on to the side cover, I cleaned it one more time, put on a stock gasket with a tad of oil and popped it in place. I inserted the new seal after I had the cover on, using a piece of pipe to drive it evenly.
Here's a mock up of the flywheel...