[Schurkey]

Photos to follow. Assembled and fired the engine for my Father-In-Law's 77 TA.

Started immediately on the "test stand"; so far we have 10 minutes of 1800--2500 rpm run time. Good oil pressure, good vacuum. Sounds nice. Hyper-responsive to throttle because there's a flexplate but no torque converter--so almost no added flywheel effect.

Lifted each valve cover, one pushrod isn't spinning. Bummer.

Had to install the original stock stamped rockers; apparently I didn't grind the pushrod holes quite enough to provide clearance for the 1.65 Comp Cams roller-tip jobs. Found that when setting the zero-lash point. Harsh language ensued.

Far as I can tell, the stamped sheetmetal pushrod guide plates will have to be trimmed a bit to clear with the 1.65 rockers, too. I wasn't expecting problems with the guideplates.

1. Anyone else have to trim the pushrod guideplates? Is it better to trim each pushrod opening, or to elongate the rocker stud hole and just move the whole plate a little bit?

2. Ideas on why one pushrod isn't spinning? All of the lifters will drop in the bore under their own weight--so this one doesn't seem to be binding in the lifter bore. The cam lobes seem to be properly offset from the lifter bores...I'm a little mystified. Mild Lunati "VooDoo" cam; 213/219 at .050; a more-mild cam than I was expecting to use; but it's what UD Harold recommended for the application.

Yanking the heads starting tomorrow; will grind the friggin' pushrod holes some more; will touch the guideplates; and I think I'm gonna add some Somender-Singh grooves to the quench pads. Then examine the cam lobes and lifter bottoms especially on the one that didn't spin. If it's wiped--I spend more money. If it isn't--I'll polish the lifter bottom and hope for the best.

I expect to complete the cam break-in later this week--unless I have to get another cam 'n' lifters.