The long awaited muffler has now arrived. I am quite happy with the final product, and both inlet and outlet fit their respective pipes without problem. At a landed cost of $170.00 AUD, it is comparable to modern 'off the shelf' mufflers which although cylindrical, are not ot a patch on the appearance of the custom made version. Personally, I think it's money well spent. While still cashed up, after yearly tax return, I also purchased a pipe bender capable of bending exhaust tubing of both sizes required. I anticipate working the exhaust piping myself. Managed to stumble across a job-lot of vintage Ford exhaust brackets and clamps about a week ago. Should be sufficient suitable pieces in that bunch to do the whole job.......unless I have overlooked something, which is quite possible.
Here's something you wouldn't know about yet. The new connecting rods that I bought over a year ago, turned out to be unsuitable. I had been told they were 2" crank pin size, and had requested confirmation from the supplier that this was the case, before money was sent. However, when I went to install them (after attaching pistons, mind you) I very promptly discovered they were in fact the larger crank pin size, and therefore were not of any use to me. I have now acquired the replacement set you see above. They are a Scat product, are definately the right crank pin size, and the machining quality is unbelievable. Call it serendipity, these are far stronget than the French military set which they replace. The set is balanced to within 1gram over the whole batch, and have ARP bolts that are apparently superior to all other fastening systems.......so they say! Intended for use in engines up to 700hp, and compatable with supercharge induction, i'm sure they will withstand the puny horsepower of my plant. It cracks me up to think that at some point in the future, another owner will disassemble the engine to recondition or rebuild, and come face to face with these rods. No doubt they will be struggling to understand exactly WHY these girders are in such a modest engine. Not sure I understand why either, suffice to say that I didn't want to run a risk with second hand or NOS rods of questionable parentage!
If anyone is wanting a set of brand new French made con rods for the LARGER crank pin size, let me know.
Engine building is easy eh? Bah!