You may have noticed the engine has a new look. While it was out and the rack and pinion steering was being installed, I decided to tear it down again (third time) and address some nagging issues. The rods were stock Ford forged units with ARP bolts and had been shotpeened and the side beams ground. I had used a rod bolt stretch indicator to torque them and was uncomfortable with the procedure. So I bought a new set of forged H-beam rods and swapped them in.
Also, the cast iron heads had been ported and the exhaust floors raised for improved flow. In order to convert an oval exhaust port to a D port, I had to insert a stainless "tongue" into each one. To attach them, I had to mill a pocket in the head, then drill and tap holes for countersunk screws. Most of the tapped holes went into the water jacket. I used a high temp adhesive sealant but was concerned it might come back to haunt me. So I anted up and got a set of aluminum heads to replace them. Problem solved, plus they look nicer and weigh a whole lot less. I repainted the valve covers in the colors I planned to use on the rest of the car. Steve arranged for a shop he uses to laser cut some stainless trim pieces to match the trim on the sides of the body. Added them to the covers, which by the way, are an old set of M/T finned aluminum pieces I milled down and re-contoured.
A video of the engine assembly can be seen here at
460 Ford Build.