built-fabbed a case spreader
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I'm able to get a .008" case spread,which should be enough to prevent 'beating' in OEM spacer/shims. The 1/2x13 threaded rods will eventually be replaced by 1/2x20 threaded rods and the angle iron by a heavier thickness angle iron,but maybe not if the current works.
At the .008" force,the angle irons were not bending/flexing when viewing them from their end and since I put the 1/2" thru holes for the threaded rods at a point very close to the angle(2nd pic),there should't have been much flex of the angle irons.
I let it sit overnight at the .008" force setting and the case returned to .000" the following day. All parts seem OK(for now).
The housing in the pic is POR15 painted and put a 1/8 npt threaded hole in bottom of housing for draining before cover removal as that housing is getting the stock cover(also POR15'd).
It's been working great,haven't changed the 1/2-13 threaded rods to 1/2-20 yet. It's best to use as thick a nut as possible to spread the load among more threads. I picked up some 1/2-13x 1 1/4"long coupling nuts for that purpose but have yet to use them,probably for the next rebuild.
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The case has one 3/4 and one 1/2 hole for the case spreader to attach to, so I found some scraps that fit those dimensions. I did have to revise this design as it was blocking the bearing caps from going in. No big deal, we are learning.

Here it is set in place. You turn the buckles and the case spreads. Easy as pie.

And this is why you need a case spreader. I pulled this out during disassembly. No doubt it got bent during final carrier preloading last time when I swapped the spool in.

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Firstyr will have to do a auto to t56 swap
01ss will have a little more work to do cuz he will have to do a 12 bolt to 10 bolt swap along with a auto to t56 swap as well.
Issues solved, ping poom pow.
I can probably better organize this competition with a few beers in me. When I'm sober, I don't seem to make sense a lot of the time.












