Block fitting

[Stuart Giles]

So the real question:

Does anyone have any other favorite ways to fit the block? Yes, I know the oil baffles are optional and life would have been simpler without them........

If the motor has an 1 5/16" or early crank I fit the empty block to the crankcase with the oil baffles in place but cut with a pair of tin snips such that they can be prised open with your fingers.  If the motor has been bored, most unmodified 1 5/16" rods will pass down the bores OK. In any case, when I balance the rods, I make sure that I take metal off the big end 'dimples' you can see in this photo.



Once all the big ends are bolted up the oil baffles can be pushed back in place with your fingers and you're good to go.