All is cool in the Graham household this afternoon. Taking an 1/8" off the length of the top bolts did the trick. Now that I am aware of it and made some measurements I see that they were right on the border line length wise. the two top bolt holes in the block were slightly different in depth and the two bolts were slightly different in length so apparently I got lucky the first time a few thousand miles ago when I put the new pump on but must have switch the bolts this time round. The one on the right was short enough but the one on the left was bottoming out right at the point were the lock washer was fully collapsed but just wouldn‘t put quite enough pressure to fully collapse the gasket. .
But thank god I didn't have to tear into the motor. I just got back from a 75mile loop out in the country to the west of me. No problems what so ever. I just static timed the distributor and valve adjustment when I installed it and she ran just fine on her maiden voyage. While she was good and hot I went over the valves with the engine running. All were a bit tight even though I had adjusted them cold on the high side.
So bottom line is- Mechanicals all done, now I can move on to finishing up the fenders and grill and maybe get the hood stripped and painted before fall sets in. That will be all the body done from the firewall forward. Bed and doors comes off over this winter and next winter when I’ve got a few months that I can’t drive it, maybe I’ll pull the cab and finish filling in the whole picture.
Thanks for all the comments guys.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL
