TPI SBC refresh with G6 6 speed trany upgrade (Page 8/16)
Formula88 NOV 24, 12:59 PM

quote
Originally posted by Alex4mula:

Here they are with the wires. They only have this type (for SBC).





Ok, now that's slick.
I was thinking traditional safety wire on each bolt. That looks much easier to work with.

Another option I've seen are locking nuts that have an allen key in the center of the bolt. You tighten the hex bolt down to the proper torque, then use the allen key to lock it.
cyrus88 NOV 24, 03:45 PM

quote
Originally posted by Alex4mula:

Here they are with the wires. They only have this type (for SBC).





I don't see how the springs installed in that manner prevent the bolts from becoming loose. It seem like each bolt could be loosened half a turn before there is even tension on the springs. Am I missing something here?
Alex4mula NOV 24, 05:02 PM

quote
Originally posted by cyrus88:


I don't see how the springs installed in that manner prevent the bolts from becoming loose. It seem like each bolt could be loosened half a turn before there is even tension on the springs. Am I missing something here?



The springs I think are more for looks. It is a very hard wire with the spring over it. The may move a little but no way anything close to half a turn.


Fiero1Fan; I am using the modified shifter from Archie's kit
Alex4mula NOV 27, 03:25 PM
Finally had this thing ready to put back. And that I did and plenty of issues I had Later on that. Here is the final setup before going in.

Header bolts welded to make it easy to bolt from bottom;


Cradle cut welded and painted. Yes ugly but no one will see


Driver axle;


Passenger axle;


Trany with cables connected;
Alex4mula NOV 27, 03:26 PM
And the whole setup with wires routed.
Alex4mula NOV 28, 01:02 PM
So I installed the cradle back and new problems surface. My exhaust uses two mufflers with 2.5" mandrel bent pipes and all clearances were very tight. Changing the mounts, new heads and using gaskets for the headers screwed up big time all those clearances in all critical areas To begin with the rear (trunk) headers didn't clear the trunk when rocking up the engine. I had to use the BFH to create about 1/4" more clearance. The new rear valve cover (1/4" taller) was hitting the shock tower so I had to trim the area. The TPI TB is now too close (again) to the shock tower so I can't put the TB bolt close to it nor the rubber elbow. I'm working on that one today. Finally the exhaust is all crooked. The biggest problem is the front which moved about 1/2"! (pic below). The rear one doesn't seem that bad and should require only some cradle trimming in the arrow area. So learning for all of you changing to nicer hardware in your SBCs may bring some unknown grief. Be ready for it. Right now 1st engine firing up is looking more like a December goal and who knows maybe later. I think not even Santa would help me get this finished this year. Oh well.... To be a good hotroder you need to have a lot of patience.

Fuel filter now in the way.

[This message has been edited by Alex4mula (edited 11-28-2006).]

sspeedstreet NOV 28, 04:49 PM
Question: I see you are using the bottom two holes. Are all four of these holes for available for the tranny mounts?

[This message has been edited by sspeedstreet (edited 11-28-2006).]

fieroluv NOV 28, 07:45 PM
That does look slick, however that safety wire has too large of a loop in it to prevent the bolt from loosening. We used safety wire working on helicopters in the military, and I have seen bolts work their way all the way out with less slack than that. They have to be guitar string tight or they will loosen. Just thought you might want to know. But I would have to agree those are more for looks than function.
Alex4mula NOV 28, 09:22 PM

quote
Originally posted by fieroluv:

That does look slick, however that safety wire has too large of a loop in it to prevent the bolt from loosening. We used safety wire working on helicopters in the military, and I have seen bolts work their way all the way out with less slack than that. They have to be guitar string tight or they will loosen. Just thought you might want to know. But I would have to agree those are more for looks than function.



I'm gonna tell you that if I see one of these come loose without the wire braking I will give you $50. The wire is extremely stiff. And I bet the heli sees much more vibration than these.


sspeedstreet: Yes they are all available and threaded. The top ones use thicker bolts.
fieroluv NOV 28, 09:33 PM

lol, that's not necessary. You are quite right that helicopters have a lot more vibrations than an engine will ever see. But header bolts on SBC are notorious for falling out. My point was just that without them being banjo tight with that much slack the loop can just keep flopping over the bolt and loosen the bolt.

We actually had to get certified in using safety wire bolts. In order to do our jobs. And they have shown us real world live videos of bolts working themselves loose while being safety wired.