FYI FORD - MustangSteve's Ford Mustang Forum
The Internet's Most Knowledgeable Classic Mustang Information
IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT CLASSIC FORD MUSTANGS, YOU HAVE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE!
MustangSteve has over 30 years of Mustang experience, having owned 30 of them and restored several others. With the help of other Mustangers, this site is dedicated to helping anyone wanting to restore or modify their Mustang.... THERE ARE NO DUMB QUESTIONS!!!!!
Visit MustangSteve's web site to view some of my work and find details for:
FYIFORD Contributors' PICTURES - Power Brake Retrofit Kits for 65-66 Stangs - Classic Mustang FAQ's by MustangSteve - How to wire in a Duraspark Ignition - Mustang Ride Height Pictures and Descriptions - Steel Bushings to fit Granada Spindles to Mustang Tie Rods - Visit my EBAY store MustangSteve Performance - How to Install Granada Disc Brakes MustangSteve's Disc Brake Swap Page - FYIFORD Acronyms for guide to all the acronyms used on this page - FYIFORD Important information and upcoming events

You are not logged in. Would you like to login or register?

  • Index
  •  » FYI Ford, Classic Mustang Tech Discussion
  •  » 331 Build is now under way.

    • 1 of 1

       

    11/03/2023 6:38 PM  #1

    MS
    Forum Originator

    Offline

    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 11,734

    331 Build is now under way.

    Today I got all the top and 2nd groove piston ring gaps file-fitted for 0.018” gap. All the rings are now marked as to which hole they go in. Next I need to deburr the filed ends of the rings and clean them to get them ready to go on the pistons. I am glad this detailed, tedious work is done.  The diamond blade filer tool really works great.
    Next the cam will get installed to be sure it spins freely in the block. Then the crank.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    11/06/2023 6:33 PM  #2

    MS
    Forum Originator

    Offline

    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 11,734

    Re: 331 Build is now under way.

    Today, I got the cam, timing chain and reciprocating assembly installed.  Clearances on the Scat crank and rods are spot-on.  The 331 ARP rod bolts clear the bottom of the cylinders about 3/16”, so no clearancing was required.
    I installed the cam that Bullet donated. 264 roller ground on an original 5.0 billet core. It has reduced base circle so there is a possibility it might not work with my heads milled 0.030” and non-adjustable rockers.   Have a stock 5.0 roller cam as backup plan.





    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
       •Thread Starter
     

    11/06/2023 6:36 PM  #3

    6sally6
    Hyper FYIFORD ADDICT

    Offline

    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 6,460

    Re: 331 Build is now under way.

    I can tell "by-look'in" the cam is too mild !!!
    6sally6

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    11/06/2023 6:37 PM  #4

    6sally6
    Hyper FYIFORD ADDICT

    Offline

    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 6,460

    Re: 331 Build is now under way.

    We gonna need a little more detail on this build.............
    6sally6

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    11/06/2023 7:06 PM  #5

    Steve-G
    I FYI 24-7

    Offline

    From: Glen Rose,TX
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 541

    Re: 331 Build is now under way.

    Guess I should bring you my block to build.

     

    11/07/2023 1:15 AM  #6

    Ron68
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

    Offline

    From: Mukilteo, Washington
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 1,405

    Re: 331 Build is now under way.

    MS wrote:

    Today, I got the cam, timing chain and reciprocating assembly installed. Clearances on the Scat crank and rods are spot-on. The 331 ARP rod bolts clear the bottom of the cylinders about 3/16”, so no clearancing was required.
    I installed the cam that Bullet donated. 264 roller ground on an original 5.0 billet core. It has reduced base circle so there is a possibility it might not work with my heads milled 0.030” and non-adjustable rockers. Have a stock 5.0 roller cam as backup plan.





     Did you make sure to install the thick, hardened steel washer under the cam gear retention bolt that also holds on the fuel pump eccentric? (Ask me how I know.....)
     

    68 coupe - 351W, 4R70W, 9" 3.25 -- 65 convertible - 289 4v, C4, 8" 3.00
     

    11/07/2023 11:58 AM  #7

    Steve69
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

    Offline

    From: Madison Wisconsin
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 2,617

    Re: 331 Build is now under way.

    Nice!  Is that going in your boat?...

     

    11/07/2023 12:13 PM  #8

    MS
    Forum Originator

    Offline

    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 11,734

    Re: 331 Build is now under way.

    Ron, I used a new grade 8 bolt and a washer made specific for the purpose. It was even thicker than the stock one.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
       •Thread Starter
     

    11/08/2023 8:21 PM  #9

    MS
    Forum Originator

    Offline

    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 11,734

    Re: 331 Build is now under way.

    Good news on cam and head fitment. 
    I had the 97 GT40 heads milled 0.030” so they would be same as factory 95 Cobra heads. Bullet’s cam was ground on a stock 5.0 GT roller billet, so to get the higher lift, they ground off the base circle, giving it a reduced base circle.
    So, there was concern things might not mstch up maybe requiring custom pushrods, etc.

    But, the stars magically all lined up.  I got a perfect contact pattern on top of the valve stems.  The rocker arm bolts were at correct torque after 1/2 turn past zero latch.  I got lucky.  It all bolted up just like stock.

    So, the long block is all together with valves adjusted. And it is painted black.

    The bad news is my new 1965 Cobra aluminum valve covers will not clear the stock 5.0 rocker arms.  So, I will use a set of 84 GT Power by Ford aluminum finned valve covers until I get around to adding a custom 1/2” spacer to rhe valve covers like I did to Al’s on his 408.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
       •Thread Starter
     

    11/08/2023 8:28 PM  #10

    MS
    Forum Originator

    Offline

    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 11,734

    Re: 331 Build is now under way.

    This is the spacer I added to Al’s valve covers. Looks like mine will get the same treatment eventually






    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
       •Thread Starter
     

    11/19/2023 7:53 PM  #11

    MS
    Forum Originator

    Offline

    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 11,734

    Re: 331 Build is now under way.

    I found these spacers in my parts stash and bolted them on to see how they looked.  Bullet said they were ugly. It is free to use these, or $175 to get the 1/2” thick billet ones.  If I use these, they will get painted gloss black and will be epoxied to the heads.
    The 351 oil pan fits well with the billet adapter Bullet Bob machined per my design. Lots of hand filing on the adapter was required to get a good fit since the oil pan casting was a little less than a perfect radius, and Ol’ Bullet doesn’t know how to machine anything that is not perfect.







    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
       •Thread Starter
     

    11/21/2023 8:35 PM  #12

    Bullet Bob
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

    Offline

    From: Montrose, Colorado
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 4,780

    Re: 331 Build is now under way.

    Well, maybe not totally ugly with that hi-rise manifold.  Butt, (TS&T), are you gonna be able to get to the spark plugs in a '65 with those spacers?  Looks like the valve cover is out there a bit.

    "you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
     

    11/21/2023 10:32 PM  #13

    MS
    Forum Originator

    Offline

    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 11,734

    Re: 331 Build is now under way.

    I used to have those same spacers on a 351w in my 66.  It was harder but not impossible to get to the plugs. I think it will be alot easier with a 5.0 based engine.

    I decided years ago that spark plug removal should not be a big concern. The only times I ever changed the plugs in my 66 was when the engine was out of the car, so what is the worry?  There is going to be so much more room with the 331 than with the 427.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
       •Thread Starter
     

    11/22/2023 8:57 AM  #14

    RPM, aka Bearing Bob
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

    Offline

    From: Bakersfield, Ca
    Registered: 9/17/2013
    Posts: 3,251

    Re: 331 Build is now under way.

    Wonder what a shop would charge to split those thick spacers in half. Then you'd have two sets. Since seeing yours at the mini bask in Kansas I've always wanted a set, and you'll have an extra set. My birthday is coming up.

    Bob. 69 Mach 1, 393W, SMOD Toploader, Armstrong  steering, factory AC.
     

    11/22/2023 6:30 PM  #15

    MS
    Forum Originator

    Offline

    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 11,734

    Re: 331 Build is now under way.

    All I need is a good sized metal-cutting band saw with a tall rip guide.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
       •Thread Starter
     

    11/22/2023 8:12 PM  #16

    Nos681
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

    Offline

    From: Atlantic Mine, Michigan
    Registered: 7/14/2016
    Posts: 3,060

    Re: 331 Build is now under way.

    Make one of these…ya know…+/- 0.25”

     

    11/23/2023 4:06 PM  #17

    BILLY WALTON from GEORGIA
    Carrollton, GA Bash Host

    Offline

    From: CARROLLTON GEORGIA
    Registered: 4/14/2013
    Posts: 2,334

    Re: 331 Build is now under way.

    Thats a good looking engine I like the black bolts against the alluminum.

    Its really me....I fixed my caps lock .
     

    11/25/2023 12:28 AM  #18

    BILLY WALTON from GEORGIA
    Carrollton, GA Bash Host

    Offline

    From: CARROLLTON GEORGIA
    Registered: 4/14/2013
    Posts: 2,334

    Re: 331 Build is now under way.

    Did the K&N filter fit....It is brand new

    Its really me....I fixed my caps lock .
     

    11/25/2023 7:16 AM  #19

    TKOPerformance
    Hyper FYIFORD ADDICT

    Offline

    From: Newark, DE
    Registered: 12/15/2014
    Posts: 7,089

    Re: 331 Build is now under way.

    MS wrote:

    All I need is a good sized metal-cutting band saw with a tall rip guide.

    Metal cutting blade in a table saw would work too.  You'd have to run it through and then flip it and run it through again to cut al the way through, and then you would need to dress the cut to make them perfectly flat and smooth (you'd need to do that any way you cut them I think as blades tend to swim). 
     

     

    11/25/2023 8:56 AM  #20

    Greg B
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

    Offline

    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 1,556

    Re: 331 Build is now under way.

    We did notice the backwards piston!   

    Looks good.

    Is this for your convertible?

    If multiple things can go wrong, the one that will go wrong will be the one that causes the most damage.
     

    11/25/2023 9:27 AM  #21

    MS
    Forum Originator

    Offline

    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 11,734

    Re: 331 Build is now under way.

    BILLY WALTON from GEORGIA wrote:

    Did the K&N filter fit....It is brand new

    Yes
    Just keeping it in a safe location until the engine is ready to fire up in the car

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
       •Thread Starter
     

    11/25/2023 9:37 AM  #22

    MS
    Forum Originator

    Offline

    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 11,734

    Re: 331 Build is now under way.

    Yesterday I installed the stainless steel dipstick tube and poured in 8 quarts of oil. I had compared the dipstick tube to a known-good original to be sure the length was right. I am using an original Ford dipstick, though. I primed the HV pump with a 1:2” drill until all rocker arms were flowing oil. Rotated the crank 90 degrees and primed again, three times. That way, all the rod bearings receive oil as well.
    Next is to clean up the intake and install it.
    Then, I will have to decide on what to do with the valve covers.
    Finally got the new spark plugs, and they fit fine.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
       •Thread Starter
     

    11/25/2023 11:24 AM  #23

    6sally6
    Hyper FYIFORD ADDICT

    Offline

    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 6,460

    Re: 331 Build is now under way.

    Videos of 'new start ups' are always enjoyed by all !
    6sally6

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    11/25/2023 11:25 AM  #24

    6sally6
    Hyper FYIFORD ADDICT

    Offline

    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 6,460

    Re: 331 Build is now under way.

    Greg B wrote:

    We did notice the backwards piston!


    6sal6
     

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    11/25/2023 11:27 AM  #25

    6sally6
    Hyper FYIFORD ADDICT

    Offline

    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 6,460

    Re: 331 Build is now under way.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5AwnV3UWUc&pp=ygUaaGlsYXJpb3VzIGVuZ2luZSBzdGFydCB1cCA%3D

    CLASSIC
    6s6

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

     

    1 of 1

  • Index
  •  » FYI Ford, Classic Mustang Tech Discussion
  •  »  331 Build is now under way.

    • Board footera


    REMEMBER!!! When posting a question about your Mustang or other Ford on this forum, BE SURE to tell us what it is, what year, engine, etc so we have enough information to go on.