I broke in the new build, that went very well. I cut open the oil filter and there was very little metal on break in, some but nothing like last time. Extra special thanks to DD for his help. I was meticulous in closing up the block - no leaks anywhere.

BUT, I still have a small vibration. As you recall, you all gave me plenty of valuable intel on things to check, still in the process, haven't gotten back to it yet. Got pulled away. I've not been driving it as I don't want the vibration to ruin my rear seal (still thinking it's the torque converter). I haven't even tuned the engine yet.

In the meantime, I found some plenums (Ford) from vintage inlines that will replace my bigger (overkill) ones and compliment my Aussie valve cover very well. I plan to have TIG welded some 3" aluminum tubes to make a custom look and fitment. I'll relocate my battery and starter relay and put the air filter where the battery was (I plan to use a double 3" inlet single large filter). I'll run flex hoses between the end of the tubes and the filter. I'll send pics when I get to it, I just wanted to share my excitement about the plenums I found. I had a guy sand and polish them, and I painted to match the engine and the Aussie cover. I think they look great. The castings are pretty nice actually, well done. I may have to sand some material off the end (its tapered pretty thin in some areas) of the openings to get a clean surface/sufficient material for TIG welding.

See: http://tinyurl.com/m6klvqh and http://tinyurl.com/my3vsxq

Website for plenums: https://www.vintageinlines.com/product- ... at-style-2

brian

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https://tinyurl.com/yynpj4v2

pulled the tranny, changed the torque converter, got it all buttoned back up, fired her up and it seems the vibration is no more. I put the timing light on her and the timing mark isn't "shaky" any longer.

So, it appears that it was the torque converter. I didn't see any cracks in the torque converter shaft or any obvious outward signs of damage. Anyway, I changed the seals while I had it out. The rear chunk seal was leaking, fixed that too.

Took her for a test drive, wasn't shifting to 3rd - fluid was low. Works now. I have a deep pan and didn't account for the new converter. Thing holds like 10.5 quarts...

Now to tuning....

Brian

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https://tinyurl.com/yynpj4v2

Sounds like great progress. Enjoy the cruising...

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines

BTW, the shift tower seal was leaking so I replaced that. I suppose you guys know about this but there was a groove where the old seal was wearing on the tower. So, I used this seal: http://tinyurl.com/tower-seal which rides a bit higher on the shaft to fix that leak. I suppose one could use a stock seal and a spacer below it, but this seal really is heavy duty like the ad says...

Brian

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https://tinyurl.com/yynpj4v2

Brian,

I was looking at your pics in photobucket. Your build looks good. I am building a 68 /6 that came out of a Dart. (Painted Hemi orange, though.)

I have three questions for you:
Where did you get your accessories: water pump, fuel pump, carb, etc?

Did you have to replace the water inlet ports on the head to which the water pump connects? Mine are corroded and need to be replaced. The machine shop did not replace it when they re-did the head. If so, where did you get them?

Where did you get the intake/exhaust manifolds? They are different from mine.

Thanks,
Ted

support bearing in the converter must have been bad. nice looking engine, love the finned breathers.