I've had a few developments since my last post. Most positive ... one, not so much. Here's the play by play.
I reinforced the neck with these tubes.
The mounts on the differential had only been tacked in, so I disassembled the whole thing and finished the welds.
While the axles were out, I reinforced the lug bolts. Two of the small welds I had done before had let go. I ground into the axle casting to improve my odds of full penetration welding.
I was pretty stoked that I was ready to stick the engine back in and actually have a roller when disaster struck. I had hoisted my engine onto the rolling table I regularly use in my shop (see the pic of the differential above). I was trying to put the engine on its side when suddenly it rolled, fell off the table and hit the concrete floor hard. A rear mounting casting is smashed right off.
... and given the multiple bits, probably not repairable.
I've already ordered a replacement bottom engine case from Ebay.
Things happen for a reason (my mental game of trying to create a silk purse from a sow's ear). My engine had obvious signs of an oil leak. However, because of its low kms, was just going to try to fix the leak, and give it the "rattle can rebuild." Now the engine is destined for a strip down and rebuild. No tears.
Peace & Pounding the Pavement, Dennis
