B&M 250 Supercharger: Finding and Fabricating the Missing Parts (78 Firebird Ep.30)

The supercharger itself is back together and buttoned up, but we are still missing a few important accessories that are needed to use it. First up is the pop-off plate for the intake manifold which we are going to have to fabricate from a piece of aluminum plate. Following that, we will piece together everything needed for the belt drive system. This was a big undertaking for such simple parts, but we will work through it all and get everything together to run this blower on our engine!
Timeline of filming: March 11th, 2020 - May 30th, 2020
Song List (Order of First Appearance):
0:01 A Dusty Road - Dan Lebowitz
5:30 Simon's Song - Dan Lebowitz
7:53 Mysteries - Dan Lebowitz
12:24 All Hail the Queen - Dan Lebowitz
19:05 Glen Canyon - Dan Lebowitz
(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]

This is, finally, the last video of the supercharger rebuild mini-series! This episode's pacing and balance of talking/working was difficult to manage since there was a lot to explain, but I'm pretty happy with how it came out! There is still a ton to cover on this engine swap but the videos will be speeding up from here so hopefully it will be back in the car before the sun burns out.

[@SpaceMulva]

If you like doing dangerous shit like holding stuff whilst drilling or cutting it, like I do, use sandpaper and gloves. It works almost too well on round objects. Be careful.

[@dougierotten]

Even though the videos took a while in between each one, i was still excited to see them come out. Great job on breaking everything down Barney style for us.

[@TheRubiks007]

So excited for this! You're doing some awesome work!

[@LULU1422__]

Sorry the sun already burnt out 😂

[@LULU1422__]

But all jokes aside really exited for the rest of the series

[@TheBrewCrew420]

Built a bracket based off the scale of a dave and busters card. Dude you are something else! Loving the series

[@tstreettstreet9957]

Thank you for not scrapping this content… it was great to show my daughter how to engineer parts and manufacture parts when needed.

[@TeachFK_Gaming]

I've really been loving this series. Also, I work in a pretty large machine shop called Valmet. I'd be more than happy to help you with some parts in the future if you would like. I'm always happy to work on smaller stuff for myself and wouldn't mind at all helping you as well. Keep up the great work.

[@linginfelterh]

As a CNC Machining Instructor at the local technical college, I’d suggest he go visit his local vo-tech. Jobs like that make good practical practice.

[@joemontgomery6658]

The Finnish valmet?

[@manitoublack]

can't believe we're looking almost 3 years into the past. Hope it all worked out in the end and that we'll see the end results soon

[@lugnut2612]

I agree

[@MatSpeedle]

Love the way you find solutions to missing parts and use everyday tools to achieve good results. Keep up the awesome work.

[@robbiemckinnon7901]

@fuzzy dice projects, you should definitely use some NYLOK nuts on the two studs for the blowoff plate. Don't want those backing off on you.

[@JMassengill]

I was coming to say just that.

[@brainndamage]

And use studs with an unthreaded portion near the intake so that the plate can slide freely and not bind or shave off aluminum chips that would get caught under the gasket and hang the plate open or even worse, bind it closed

[@coltonkruse2313]

Holy smokes. I think most people probably would have just thrown this super charger in the trash and ordered a different one! That was some serious work and dedication.

[@couchguy707]

This is by far one of my favorite automotive channels and I hope you continue making content for a long time.

[@1leggeddog]

I'm not used to seeing so many videos from Fuzzy Dice in so little time! It's nice!

[@davidbeutler7665]

Can’t believe the amount of perseverance you have! Very nice work!

[@CivilDefenceCanada]

Thanks for sharing this messy slog. It's been super interesting to see older power products being given a new life through hard work and ingenuity. Thanks for sharing and I look forward to your content throughout 2023!

[@josephjacklett]

Yes! Finally, another video comes out, and on my birthday no less!

[@trevorsparks8530]

The ending to this video has left me biting my nails! I can't wait to see this thing in action. It looks great!!

[@c0wb0yTV]

i love all the work you do and your dry sense of humor. thank you for making such great videos!

[@jasomtubol]

I loved this build. Those custom aluminum parts were looking great! Also, seeing the disassembly, cleaning and reassembly of the pulley along with the new bearings was super satisfying.

[@michixinqq]

I literally binge watched the last 4 episodes just now and was about to ask where is the last one, but I refreshed the channel page and there it was!! Amazing timing

[@zrobotics]

Super impressive the workarounds you come up with to fabricate those parts without machine tools. I'm honestly amazed you were able to get those spacers drilled without a lathe, that's impressive.

[@Oldsmobile69]

Got me on the edge of my seat again. Love the McGuyvering!

[@punishernation436]

I gotta give you credit. I’ve never seen someone make life so much harder on themselves buying cheap parts. Great job making it through though!

[@robw7205]

I like the brute force aluminum fabrication. We do what must sometimes!

[@perotekku]

Something to consider in the future: lots of places nowadays will custom laser cut/CNC parts for you if you email them the CAD drawings. You pick the material and thickness, and they mail it to you. Not as fast/cheap as making it yourself, but gives you machine shop finish, while freeing you up to work on other parts of a build.

[@weedwacker1716]

Just in case no one has said it today, this is some very inspiring work. Oh, and you really need to fabricate some kind of work vise for your drill press.

[@dawn_h6]

I'm really enjoying you showing us all of the little details, and troubles you encounter along the way. I'm working on supercharging my car, and although the secondhand kit I got was more complete, it still requires a lot of fabrication and custom work. Seeing how you tackle problems and missing parts gives me motivation to push through with mine

[@HillbillyAdventures]

After watching all this work I now understand turbo guys

[@JS-wc4xs]

That is an amazing amount of work needed for this setup. Great job, and it now makes complete sense why the videos take so long to be made.

[@StratTone]

That was a lot of work and very impressive from a garage.

[@bobbymccourt6794]

The section of you holding the spacer with gloves on while deep drilling was terrifying.

[@djmips]

I was incredulous that they did not use a drill press vice.

[@jamesashe]

Just a note about the idler pulley internal spacer, and to be clear, I've never touched one of these superchargers, but I have installed _lots_ of bearings in a similar setup. I'm practically certain the OD of the original internal spacer was probably nearly the same as the OD of the bearings. The reason is to support the outer races of the bearing as you push the halves together. With a spacer that size, the assembly process was (almost certainly) to put both pulley halves on at the same time. The outer races would be supported by the spacer and only undergo compression loads, which should be pretty trivial to them. Hopefully they don't, but if the idler bearings get noisy in a hurry, this is probably something you should consider when addressing them. Keep up the good work.

[@rgbigdog]

A drill press vise for the drill press is a must for your project.

[@RESTORATIONRESCUE]

Another absolutely amazing video. I love the story telling you are able to do to make it so much better.

[@puppygadget3189]

Nice job on the bracket’s and installing parts

[@patrickmoodabe9728]

Great work! Always love your ‘let’s do it the complicated way’ mentality. I mean. Why make it easy?😊

[@Broke4speed]

I've watched all the rebuild vids of this charger and I am strangely enthralled. Good job, dude!

[@giancarlopbranco]

That's so nice! Thank you and congrats, Mr.!

[@agrobison3386]

You should put jam nuts on the pop off plate hold down nuts to keep them from slipping from the engine vibrations.

[@kris856]

and this is what I call a long time project with lots of elbow grease and patience :)

[@Blayzn18]

Been following your progress for years. Crazy to think you were working on this before the pandemic!

[@user-qx7tm5df8j]

thanks. just feels good when im sick 🖤

[@tabajaralabs]

great job! I truly enjoy watching your videos...greetings from Brazil!

[@saltracer1]

I don't normally like to make negative comments, but, holding that part with gloved hands and drilling is not only dangerous, it's deadly!That drill press is a lot stronger than you can imagine.

[@macxgeek]

Smart idea with the threaded spikes

[@LLCooLM595]

That bracket looks pretty good tbh! Hoping it ended up fitting, but I'm gonna guess that bit didn't work out since you ended up measuring an OEM part at a show 😂 Still, pretty cool to see the process of making a part like that. Can't wait to see the SC fit up!

[@AF29007]

Those toothed belts can be ordered in basically any length, thickness, tooth pitch etc in a variety of brands. Find a local bearing or power transmission/hydraulics shop and they can source them.

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

they aint gonna be $25 though,try 8 to 10x that

[@SlightlyMiscalculated]

The perfect video to watch after a long night at work, always so stoked to see you post a new episode!

[@MrSiren52]

I just stumbled onto the video, but I'm completely invested. I only have a basic understanding of cars, but it was great seeing the fabrication done without a suite of specialized machining tools. I often have to make do with the tools at hand for my projects and I really respect that. Also, unlike a lot of machining videos you actually talk and explain what the hell you're doing. I'm going to have to go back and catch up, but I want to see how this Firebird shares my birthyear comes out.

[@Midnight-Restorations]

That bracket looks spectacular. Love the idea on the centering bolt markers.

[@ronskopitz2360]

Love the detail, man - thanks!!

[@shanemintz03]

Been one of my favorite series you've been putting. Wish there was a supercharger kit I could put on my carburetored NA 2.3L 4x4 Ranger. Turbos are very common but supercharged would be pretty cool. Can't wait for the next episode.

[@roundtuitracingaz132]

Dude! You really need to get a mini lathe. It's great for making spacers and washers. Not only will they be more accurate but you can make them quicker so can we can see this thing run in less than 2 years! After I got one I couldn't see how I got by without it.

[@changedman...3148]

Very nice work.

[@pauls5940]

My friend, you should invest in a small lathe, it would make things a whole lot easier and eliminate alot of headaches.

[@CodewortSchinken]

I can realy recommend a to use a scroll saw with a fine toothed blade to cut brackets from aluminium plate. These saws can be picked up used for cheap, cut through up to 8mm of aluminium at reasonable speed and allow for much more precise cuts relative to a hacksaw or sawzall.

[@ajcz]

If you take that belt to motion industries in Baltimore, they can hook you up with a brand new belt. It’s a little bit of a hike for you but that’s the go to for belts and such!

[@lordcupkake]

Nicely done! Can't wait to see it all together and running you put in a ton of work into making that whole supercharger nice

[@claysmell]

that bracket is awesome, glad you found the pulley!

[@TheOverisel]

Nice work dewd. Definitely get yourself a drill press vice.

[@smokeviper911]

Love your videos, so entertaining. Keep up the good work.

[@yoderboys1]

You have done well good job!

[@mitchellstrobbe7779]

Highly recommend trying to use heat expansion when press fitting things instead of oil to help out. The parts aren't supposed to move if they are in a press fit and the oil isn't going to help with that. A little toaster oven, or some careful work with a propane torch is all you need

[@GarageItYourself]

See, who says you need a fully fledged machine shop to make some decent bespoke parts 😊

[@brianbanks3044]

you did some pretty fine manufacturing there....looking good...keep going!!!!

[@TheBrokenLife]

The "engineered better way" to hold round things in machine tools is a set of V-blocks and a vise. Blocks are available on Amazon for under $20 and then whatever a cheap vise costs. My pucker factor watching you run a drill pretty much into your hand was about 8 out of 10. 😳😆

[@Peter.A-A]

Yeaaaa. Finally a new video. Happy new year. Hope you and family are well.

[@nattyrights]

I love Fuzzy Dice Projects videos!

[@cooperscronce4248]

Nice job!

[@BubbaAyers1969]

Messing with these superchargers is fun, I’ve built many small blocks Chevy’s for the 144’s.. great video enjoyed watching it 👍

[@williamfoster4268]

Yes! Saturday morning is looking up now.

[@CarlosPerez-qj6xm]

Early as hell. Been working on my car all night, finally decide to lay down and get the notification lmao looks like I'm staying up for awhile longer

[@maximeouellet306]

I just discovered this channel, amazing content great video 🥰 really interesting 👍

[@ImTheJoker4u]

Love the DIY approach to making this work..most people just give their credit card a workout 😂👍👍

[@microstorm]

Great start to my morning! Have you considered an adapter and a BOV?

[@claysmell]

I was thinking the same exact thing!!

[@carstenpedersen3200]

Good idea. I believe a wastegate would work better though.

[@microstorm]

@@carstenpedersen3200 Cool yeah. How would you actuate it? Just a spring?

[@carstenpedersen3200]

@@microstorm Yep, no vacuum needed.

[@microstorm]

@@carstenpedersen3200 nice idea. I didn't think of that 👍

[@lasdiLP]

Our man is back!

[@dbabb2484]

It’s been your videos that’s have single handedly gave me the confidence to do some of this stuff myself lol. Before I seen your videos I probably never would have attempted any engine work at all. Can’t wait to see how this thing runs

[@mellow1163]

I love your ingenuity. Great videos

[@schrodingerscat8621]

Just found your channel. Your narration style has a Ronald Finger vibe to it. Good stuff!

[@Travis7109]

For future reference: it’s better for the bearings if you just heat them for install. Heat them to 250-260°F in an oven or toaster oven and they’ll slide right on

[@Rakatawhat]

This channel is awesome!

[@monoskier2112]

Awesome video dude, just luv this project. Looking forward to the next episode 😎🇨🇦

[@andljoy]

Some nice suppler should send this super cool guy a lathe .

[@austinrussell5577]

Man, great job.

[@alex4alexn]

cant wait to hear that beast fire!

[@mrmerhtin3625]

You should consider grabbing that vise and using it with the drill press

[@rustyreckman2892]

Pretty cool dude

[@BILLHOVER]

I would think about making the pop off studs with pop off plate end with just threads to match manifold hole depth and just plain bar for area the plate slides on to stop the plate locking on the thread as it will not always lift flat if it pops and then will not file hole out on the threads also, Next time you need to refit the pulley half's try putting the pully half's in to boiling water for a minute (expands them) before dropping them on the bearings and less chance of damaging the pulleys. If it still tight put the bearings and shaft in a waterproof bag in the freezer overnight (shrinks them) as well.

[@NIGHTFLIGHTVIDEO]

I love what you're trying to do here but you need some kind of a lathe when you're making round things and you got a bore a hole through around thing. I found a used one and it has been an indispensable tool for making spacers and standoffs and all the things that you're trying to do.

[@laddtryck]

You should use nylock nut, normal nuts will back themselves out, especialy when they are spring loaded

[@nukedathlonman]

It's all coming together now. 😎

[@nukedathlonman]

Might be helpful, might not as it's not for the B&M supercharger specifically. I just found a PDF manual for pop off plate installation from Weiand (4257151-1), and I'll rewrite it here: 1) install the pop off valve after the manifold is on the engine. 2) Using a Teflon sealer or equivalent on the bolt threads, install the gasket, pop off valve plate, spring, spring retainers, and bolts to the intake manifold. 3) Installed spring height, measured from the manifold surface to the top of the spring retainer, should be approximately 1 3/8".

[@letttttttssssss_gooooooo]

Letttttttssssss gooooooo! Love all the effort you put 😗 not these!

[@jrt2924]

Yes! New video!

[@norevlimitr1602]

You sir are a legend. Well done!

[@brucenaylor2043]

Great work and it looks awesome as well.

[@420architecMindNDesign]

This is awesome

[@djmips]

Wow, very resourceful work. Someone needs a lathe and mill and a proper drill press and vice. Nevertheless it's fascinating to see you work with what you got.

[@TheLionAndTheLamb777]

I know when the Machine Shop was closed when I left high school in 97' they sold off all of the old WWII era equipment VERY cheaply.

[@JamieBainbridge]

Good lord someone buy this man a lathe already!

[@jonasthemovie]

The pop off pressure is a function of the spring force and area. The larger area will cause lower pressure at the same spring force. You will probably tension the springs as you go along. Problem is that the more pretension you give the springs, the less travel they will have left. You want springs that gives the correct pressure, while having the maximum length, and preferably, having pretension too…

[@jasonrehder8542]

Such an awesome channel. Been a huge fan for a long time. Keep up the great content!

[@Looptydude]

Holy moly, never really realize how having a lathe could really be helpful with projects like this. I dunno how much more metal fab you are going to do in the future, but it might be time to get one 😂

[@FuzzyDiceProjects]

I did get a mini lathe after this haha, drilling those standoffs was the last straw for me

[@Looptydude]

@@FuzzyDiceProjects also I just checked McMaster Carr and that power grip belt can be bought brand new for $172.27 o.O you got a steal.

[@chiefbloodygrass]

Getting good at this...

[@stevefaltis8989]

You’re driving me crazy, hurry! But, nah, I love each one, I had a B&M 250, maybe’91, tightened the belt too tight, killed it, sent it somewhere back East, $600, back in business…