$200 454 Engine Rebuild: Engine Block Disassembly and Cleaning (78 Firebird Ep.16)

In previous episodes we took the major components out of our cheap 7.4L big block, this time we will finish the process of removing all of the plugs from the engine block, doing a little more cylinder honing to add a good crosshatch pattern, and clean the block up so it is ready to be reassembled. It may not seem like much but there is plenty to do! As usual, not everything goes according to plan and I break some things, so buckle in and be prepared for that.
Dates of filming: January 15th, 2020 (Gasket Removal, Honing)
February 3rd, 2020 (Plugs and Pressure Wash)
Song List (Order of First Appearance):
0:01 Innocence - The 126ers
7:38 Forgiven Fate - Dan Lebowitz
14:34 Who Can Say - The 126ers
(All music provided by KZbin's Audio Library royalty free.)
Thanks for watching, and joining us on this adventure! Please let us know what you think! Consider supporting us via Patreon as well! / fuzzydiceprojects
Follow our Instagram for more pictures and teasers: / fuzzydiceprojects
Check out our second channel for a variety of other content: / @fuzzydicepastimes

[@FuzzyDiceProjects]

It has been a busy few weeks but finally we can cover a little more of the engine rebuild process. Should speed up a bit from here as a lot of the remaining work is cleaning that will not be shown in as much detail. People watching the last video really seemed to like the fact that I wanted to reuse the worn old camshaft bearings, those same people will likely be elated since this time around we are going to bang them up a bit more and still not replace them. Obviously, I could edit out some of the bumbling but I think that would be cheating the story a bit. Sometimes things go wrong, especially if I'm involved. What I want to maintain (and tell myself) is that there isn't anything wrong with that. Do what you can do and understand that "good enough" is sometimes actually good enough. Sometimes.

[@AdderoYuu]

Yes, a new video! I've been looking forward to more since the last ones came out! Hope you're doing well and this new schedule is working out for you!

[@xkvids1657]

Why are u using iron piston rings?👎🏻😂

[@joelcabello7465]

What happened to the chavy s10 blazer

[@ChristmasCrustacean1]

@@joelcabello7465 Blazer is getting the 78 Firebird's old supercharger kit... the 1991 firebird is probably going to get the 350 out of the 78 and a sniper efi setup.

[@theeoddments960]

I’d very much recommend new cam bearings. I’d never run cam bearings that messed up and since they’re so hard to get in I’m 50/50 on weather you should get it done at a shop or do it yourself.

[@HAunderscoreVE]

You know, overall, this really does feel like a nice home engine build. Everything done by hand, at home, with simple tools. Only thing missing is a pile of beer cans.

[@boxman139]

Rule of thumb: if you're not satisfied with the rebuild, just drink another beer. It'll start to look better in no time.

[@alexstromberg7696]

Sometimes "done by hand" isn't what you want.

[@denniss5512]

Dont forget the pizza boxes. Make great floor covers when empty.

[@robs1852]

The beer must be there, but is just not filmed to be friendly

[@tehw000000t]

I'd advise you to replace the cam bearings, but if they go bad I get a whole series of videos about it. So actually, they're totally fine.

[@chloerosegaming4348]

The motors we used to learn on in collage the cam bearings were all gouged and all around the bearing and they ran so thoes are fine

[@finscreenname]

I have never saw cam journals burn up even full off other parts of the motor imbedded in them.

[@edwhitson9873]

Cam bearings are the most often untouched and reused, without issue item in engine overhaul

[@RHTeebs]

19:52 Me: "yeah, the cam bearing got damaged a little... But that slo mo tho."

[@joancomstock5587]

Hey Kiddo, yeah it's me again. This is what i call a GREAT video! You made this old mans heart beat as fast as the first time I saw my beautiful Wife Joanmarie nearly 50 years ago. Thank you and please keep up the Great Videos! Love ya kid! Thank you.

[@rileydrabek6795]

DM me your address I will buy you cam bearings lol. I also have to agree with leaving them though as Matt over on sloppy says, "Don't look at your cam bearings or else they will be bad."

[@TheRealMaroonExpy]

Did he take you up on your offer?

[@rileydrabek6795]

@@TheRealMaroonExpy no the engine has been put together for nearly a year now I think. go watch the most recent one of his state of the projects videos he talks about it

[@TheRealMaroonExpy]

@@rileydrabek6795 oh yeah I completely forgot about that video. Pretty sure it is put together according to that video

[@bradleyhove4177]

Man last night I was just wondering when you were going to upload again! I love your videos, it feels like I'm just hanging out in the garage

[@FuzzyDiceProjects]

Glad to hear it! That's a big compliment and very much what I am going for with this type of video.

[@LULU1422__]

@@FuzzyDiceProjects your amazing

[@jamman6]

Dude, you could of been anyone doing anything. You could of been the guy who cleans pools, a garbage collector or banker. But no, you're the Firebird guy. And I love you for it!! When my wife says to me "What are you watching?" and I reply "Oh, just some dude fixing a car" trust me you are so much more than that. Thank you!

[@plantelo]

I genuinely don't understand what it is that makes these videos so emotional But it's sure there

[@GridIndustries]

I personally think the wire wheel is fine for this application. You aren't being too aggressive and don't seem to be dwelling in the same spot. Whatever my approval is worth. lol

[@jonjohnson102]

The machinist in me wants to throw an indicator at him

[@davidmiller9485]

@@jonjohnson102 this thread is old but... I'm a Mopar rebuilder. (transmissions as well) I have never wanted to buy a nylon wheel for someone so badly!

[@jakewade7388]

No way i would cheap out on a set of $20 cam bearings.

[@Killi66]

good to know im not the only one cheaping out on engine parts!!

[@dateatorjr9671]

Future vid: how to tear down a 454 and replace cam bearings. 😂 It doesn’t cost that much to have your block prepped and cam bearings installed. Way cheaper than building, installing, failing, removing, rebuilding, re-installing and enjoying.

[@bbgcars]

YUP! THANKS FOR NOTICING THAT! obviously hes never built anything with HEAVY DUTY or HIGH PERFORMANCE intentions! I would trash the bearings, grow some balls and order a cheap cam installation tool from amazon and go to town! OR DOES HE KNOW HOW TO DO THAT??????

[@szewal]

@@bbgcars having balls is keeping the cam bearings in, not the other way around. Replacing them is just being safe

[@panzermk4953]

Never

[@AnthonyBowman]

Dollar store oven cleaner is the best for cleaning a block!

[@ForfeMac]

As long as it's cast iron

[@zr5640]

Great tip and excellent for the spirit of the build and the channel in general 🤣

[@thedrunkpenguin4105]

Wow that crosshatch is actually really good

[@slowride55]

Cam bearings are so cheap and easy to replace. Please do next time!

[@boxman139]

Nice to see the punished DeWalt make an appearance again!

[@JamieBainbridge]

It's actually a great ad for DeWalt. I've abused an old corded Ryobi drill in the same way to wire brush a set of mag wheels, and man that drill really doesn't sound happy anymore.

[@007zonmei]

Man the quality of editing is getting so good. Keep up the work, it’s awesome when new content comes out.

[@ForfeMac]

In my opinion the purple power works better if you douse everything in it from a spray bottle and let it sit for 20 minutes, then blast it with the pressure washer. A scrub brush helps work it in on heavy deposits.

[@flarph]

Nice video, looking forward to the next one. Your 4l60e rebuild series was a great help getting mine rebuilt and back on the road.

[@andrewgilligan6307]

This is very much my favorite youtube channel, i probably watch your videos at least like once a day.

[@HexBread]

This episode was so cathartic. Definitely worth the extra sleep that I'm about to miss out on.

[@nickcarlson8047]

Great work man!! I’ve been looking forward for this 👍

[@briang4470]

A slick surface left by the wire wheel is not the best for a head gasket. I personally prefer to just use the razor blade method or if I'm worried about warpage I put 320 grit paper on a sanding block or piece of glass and finish the surface.the factory and machine shops will tend to leave a slightly rough or course finish so the head gasket will bite and not move around. I know alot of people have used the wire wheel or roloc wheel method with success but I have personally seen many sets of cylinder heads, intake/exhaust manifolds and even carb bases that were warped severely by improper cleaning methods. A big reason why the 6.0l powerstrome diesels and Subaru boxer engines kept blowing head gaskets is shops would just roloc the deck surface and completely warp it and loose the new headgasket usually with in the first 1,000 miles.

[@FuzzyDiceProjects]

Good advice! I have found it very difficult to actually get a satisfactory level of cleanliness with just a razor blade which is why I like to follow up with the wire wheel. Flat sanding the whole surface would definitely be a good idea if warpage was a big concern and to give the head gasket surface more bite. For what it's worth, the Chevy 350 that got that same wire wheel treatment last time has been overheated (260 degrees and above) half a dozen times at this point and somehow the head gaskets are still holding. It probably helps that it is very low compression and lazy, though.

[@briang4470]

@@FuzzyDiceProjects some gaskets are more forgiving on dirty surfaces then others, I have found that the graphite and composite gaskets seem to take up imperfections and minor warpage and seal good but with a MLS (multi layered steel) gaskets want surgically clean and flat surfaces with the proper finish also the roloc disc can roll the sharp edges of the cylinders and coolant passages which is very bad and gives the coolant and combustion the ability to get under the gasket and erode it away.

[@waylmaster7487]

Finally, more satisfying engine cleaning.

[@Bunkers101]

Great video, you put a lot of work and detail into your vids, Thanks for that! :)

[@OkcHoodlum]

Super happy to see another video.

[@Ahsan.Najeeb]

You're a genius. I love your job. I follow you from Baghdad Iraq 🥰🇮🇶😘

[@bwhelan237]

love these, makes me want to work on engines... Thanks for posting

[@Nemesisx1974x]

don't know why but so satisfying when cleaning a engine block

[@spliter541]

allways nice to watch your video. Keep up the good work. Greeting from Canada!

[@JamieBainbridge]

Dude get plastic razor blades. They're surprisingly sharper than metal blades, but also can't take chunks out of metal surfaces like head decks. They're even cheap like $10 for a set and scraper, so right up your alley ;)

[@paulpateman6723]

Loving this build 🇬🇧🇬🇧👍👍

[@jeeptk]

I did a 350 over the winter similar to this. Ball hone, degreaser , diesel fuel and it came out clean. Plastic roll locs are safer but you cleaned well after the wire brush so that was acceptable. My machinists retired and shut down his business so no access to a hot tank.

[@anthonysantiago1999]

Great Series,, Ouch!!! Cam Bearings. Strongly suggest replacing them after all the work so far. Hey your there, its a bare, clean Block.

[@zumwild]

I once had an oil pump drive shear because one of those wire brush bristles that shed so easily found its way into my oil pump. The engine had been an exchange from an engine shop 15 years and 2 owners before me! I heard a change in engine noise, saw the oil pressure gauge falling then the lifters rattled so I knew it was not the meterl! Caught it in time and the engine was OK. a close one though!

[@tehw000000t]

You are the best wrenching channel out there!

[@GamesWorld41]

I used a wire wheel like that to clean the deck surface out of a ford i6 and it eorks totally fine, you are great man!

[@monsterq6]

I freaking love purple power. Fav degreaser. Works well on greasy kitchens!

[@DrFiero]

If you heat the block up right after cleaning it will dry really fast by evaporation. Air blast is good at the same time, but I usually park a huge space heater (5kw shop heater type) directed at it. Really helps.

[@aaronrad]

Maybe it's just me but I never throw broken tools away. You could have sacrificed a old extension to grind down to fit the the oil filter housing plugs

[@eprofessio]

This is how I did my engines when I was a young man. It will work if everything is in spec.

[@estbeta]

Wow I never imagined that many plugs in an engine!

[@rrikuu]

love the videos

[@pontiacattack249]

THE KING RETURNS

[@davidec.4021]

HERE WE GOOOOO

[@MeaHeaR]

Im really really Enjoying this video, im half asleep butt his soothing voice, camera-werqué and narration are making me relaxed and fully appreciate thiss interesting vid-e-Ohh 😀😀😁

[@chasee3797]

Fuzzy is back baby 👍💪

[@WouterB76]

Could be the capacitor of the compressor ending it's live, that and a good service could bring it back to life maybe.

[@FuzzyDiceProjects]

The problematic compressor is the yellow Campbell Hausfeld one that I repaired once before in an older video. Last time it was the check valve becoming stuck open and not depressurizing the cylinder making it hard to start and tripping the breaker. The old check valve was really rusty and nasty, and I didn't exactly clean the tanks out so I suspect it is once again what is casing issues. It was about two years prior that I had replaced the valve. I haven't gotten back around to looking at it just yet though.

[@nealelliott]

I'm curious why there's hesitation on replacing the cam bearings? cam bearings are not that hard to install.

[@tiemishuu]

Electrolysis tank works wonders on the iron blocks. Have done several for just simple refreshes.

[@Gkitchens1]

Just a note, be careful using purple power an an aluminum block. It's okay if you use it and rinse it off fairly quickly but you don't want to let purple power sit on aluminum for any real length of time it can damage it.

[@Wik3dNuTS4k]

I wanna see the return of the datsun 280z

[@wesleypipelayer7627]

Look for a set of scotch-brite style scrub disks for the air grinder. I found a set, that has a quick twist-on/off design, to a mandrel made for the air grinder. 5 different levels of abrasive pads. I used the lightest two for cleaning of aluminum gasket seals, and they work like magic. Even with soft aluminum, they were very gentle. But if you lean on them too hard, they can dig in, and cut metal. They are damn near perfect for this kind of job, on steel engine blocks. And very very fast too.

[@HammerHeadGarage]

Great job. If it were my engine I think I'd go ahead and change out those cam bearings. It's not that hard to do just need to pay attention to the oil hole locations. 250 to 300 rpm is what you want on the honing speed. Transmission fluid works as well as anything.

[@Egon1982]

19:13 yes yes yes... new camshaft bearings!!!! 🥳🥳🥳🥳

[@justingrabenstein9520]

12 point closed end of a wrench works great on those male pipe plugs in the oil galley

[@jamieschinkai1267]

But,but,but the cam bearings!!!!!1!1!1 lmao

[@ericchapman8956]

Those cam bearings doin me a bother!

[@dadgarage7966]

Another vote for replacing those cam bearings.

[@BigBud69]

I would try at replace the damaged cam bearing while you have access to it. Once it's in the car and your oil pressure is low, it will be a lot harder to fix then :-) But lovin' this series and can't wait to see it finished!

[@icysteve46]

another trick for removing rusted nuts and/or bolts is after heating touch a candle or whatever wax you have to the threads. that wax will get sucked down into those threads and bada boom bada bing. you can also wax lag bolts and screws to easily screw them into wood, especially hard woods.

[@jessiebickel2214]

That "staining" in the bore won't matter after 5k miles and the rings wear in the bores. You're not running crazy high compression or any power adders you'll maybe notice a slight amount of blow-by until it wears in. Just drive it normally

[@jwbonnett]

You should turn your compressor into a sand blaster, you could clean the block so much quicker that way!

[@explosivebody1260]

It hurt my soul when he left that damaged cam bearing in there 😓

[@GridIndustries]

Bearings aren't that expensive, definitely not something I would have left. Especially as thorough as he's being with everything else.

[@explosivebody1260]

@@GridIndustries Exactly

[@Spnfirearmsuglymom]

Finally bro 👋

[@texjake3]

Good job so far! But be careful wrapping it in plastic too tight. With it maybe getting warm & cool where you store it will cause condensation build up inside the bag and you may still get rust on your engine, even though you did spray it down with WD40. Trust me, I have see it happen before. That's why the plastic covers that you can buy from Jegs are open at the bottom, is so it can breath and not become a green house effect.

[@ivanyalamov5109]

iw as waiting for this mannnnnnnnnnnnnn fuck !!!!! i got get pizza and whatch it ! you do not even know how happy this upload made me ! was so bored ! tnx

[@kris856]

Wow - this guy has got a REAL delay... lol - I love to watch him at work

[@fredness5300]

Use 12 point sockets on square drive heads. ;)

[@wesleypipelayer7627]

I have to say.... I enjoy your style of Videos. Lots of footage, without the low-budget audio. And a nice voice-over, to run through the details. Always well done. Stark contrast to my own video style.... low-budget as FK.

[@finscreenname]

Run a razor over all the flat surfaces (heads/block) even after wire brushing, you would be shocked what still comes off. Cleaning a motor like that you need a couple cans of Zeps grill cleaner from home depot. Environmentally friendly (its food safe) and work great. Spray it down, let it sit until the foam goes away and then spray it off. I'll take a block like yours after using Zep's on it and spray it off on my front lawn (off my driveway). The grass don't even care. The next thing to do is get out your grinder and take all the slag and sharp edges off the block and heads and then wash it again.

[@fredsalter1915]

A knock sensor on a 1978 vehicle?? Awesome video series, tho! I've been enjoying it!

[@Friedbrain11]

I like WD40. Good use for it is the way you used it.

[@LionWithTheLamb]

Those cam bearings are roached and your likely going to regret not changing them. You can rent a cam bearing tool and they're not difficult to install.

[@DoctorDorito]

Those cross hatches look closer to 40 degrees. I'm gonna need you to redo them.

[@jakegackle7398]

So, I've always used 12pt sockets on square drive and they seem to work just fine. It isn't the closest fit ever, but those usually don't have crazy torque on them anyways... Good video though, keep them coming please.

[@tonny.c]

I wish these were an hour long!

[@josephbusby4625]

Get you a honing block, they are really cheap and not as controversial as a wire brush. Although a wire brush isn't that bad of an idea as long at it is brass. Head gasket surfaces need a specific grit to them. Kinda like sand paper but much more accurate. But for your application it's not that big a deal. Looking good, cheers.

[@kramnahillac]

We ground down a 3/8 socket extension for the chevy pipe plugs.

[@pmaronto1600]

Thanks reminding me when I was 14, still ran great now from what I know could of done better for the same price. We all grow that's what's its about, no

[@kingcosmosfriend3154]

ITS ABOUT TIME LOL!

[@Frankie--da-fixer]

I always use two hammer's to remove the freeze plugs,and im pretty sure you can use a 3/8 ratchet on the square plugs!Great videos but i would have replaced those bearings:-)

[@gregsappington9991]

Awesome job. Check around and see if you can find some B52 degreaser it does a great job

[@steelwitness]

in my experience with iron blocks a 3m scotch brite bristle wheel works just as well as a wire wheel.

[@jeepoguy292]

3:28 Air compressor acting up? I hear another weekend projects video in the future. lmao

[@bradnavratil5502]

You go that far with engine building you do replace cam bearings... that is common sense I am not a licensed mechanic but I have been doing this kind of stuff for many years and I have learned do it right the first time it will be cheaper in the end... 🤑🤑

[@RussellBooth1977]

It's best to fully clean the engine block when you first pull the engine down & the camshaft bearings may have been line honed at the factory therefore they will have those marks on them !

[@hannas865]

I would suggest that the colour on the cylinder wall might actually be a cold blue, mush like the finish on older firearms, its rust that is inert due to having another oxygen molecule bonded to it

[@CruisinComPTon]

I just lost a 289 to rust in a cylinder. It sat outside, covered for around 10 years, but the spark plug holes were open which didnt concern me since it was never wet. At least i thought. I recently removed the heads and the first side was perfect, but somehow the second head was removed and 2 cylinders were absolutely rusted. After pouring krud kutter in the ctlinders the rust is completely gone but unfortunately theres some pitting and the block is already 30 over. Sucks

[@SolidCoreBlack]

wow

[@thefixingagent6497]

use of a poly disk might be better. But wire wheel is good for me as well.

[@timmuth4232]

If you have a chance try out harbor freights degreaser it’s almost a neon yellow color and I don’t dilute it just wet my parts and spray is with a spray bottle and it’s one of the best degreasers I’ve used and cheap as dirt I keep it in a spray bottle labeled “hot tank” because it does damn near as good of a job if you let it sit for about 20 min

[@Friedbrain11]

Wire wheel is ok. Just be careful around the cylinder bore.

[@MrNeutross]

2:15 cast iron is really hard, I think a wire wheel will be fine

[@oguzhangulsefa4516]

5:15 you can use a flat head screwdriver

[@msteen6407]

Ball hone , & cam bearings

[@jp2246]

Yippee!

[@matthewgarza9828]

EXCUSE ME WHAT NEW FOREBIRD VIDEO

[@TheMitchellbegeng]

Any reason you didn't start with the pressure washer? Could have blasted those gasket surfaces pretty clean

[@SurlyMike]

That was a lot of plugs.