The post that took three years to write! That's how long it's been since I purchased the 1969 Ford 351 Windsor that I decided to use for this project. After all it's been through, putting the motor back together was cake - at least it was with my
BAMA buddy Chuck guiding the way. He also brought the spring compressor, the big book of torque specs and much-o experience. I think it took us about three hours to assemble the engine. For a lot of this time I was too busy enjoying myself to take photos, but a few key moments were captured.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWhzMptkpo8BzMPjDabsS60uiNyen8f_rg1xhBvpQ_H-1Rl28quK4-aTvHHj30TADn-R8QBJM3jNoTR_5_GpannOt_YB2QCL_euqhsMA0n6hmLkHZ1JKgrhqqdiUwgZ_gGP9bPR8U6hM/s1600/20110731_mustang_094+%5B800x600%5D.JPG) |
Martinez, California, July 2011 |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfetsjILufvJ8RbpydCTbVCN3zh2hDoq5KeB7XPFidcJh1nrxgrVn9sWZlIjvQuZxayE0JbfbAUkXZ91NJut81BM7Ce4FM2PNhdTU43jEvhSm7mlPDqrFemMBYZ0W0xBJkld7QaqAA7c/s1600/20140315_mustang_733_%5B800x600%5D.JPG) |
It all starts with some lube |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDv1tk2BKIDC8yR1Z8InsGZSTOGc-UbWKmmZu2bFVkJXMP2de3mI6YxzvyVNvJ_2NneEd_CFkjO4l750z9OHncXN3kehfeeq-uSdg-X-RIjBQYei1g4wEl1LjqyrqfuOMwcp_aSImGQcc/s1600/20140315_mustang_735_%5B800x600%5D.JPG) |
put in the crank and torqued down the main caps |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBXLHN_bXab_K3_RYZ5Ws1-2ekyYbYIpkggrZ7m7DL1TZag0ADEX8_1W_3QOXDxKBBNuAF_VOzVXZlCFvg0oGzsWaetm0KRqJRCROsm73iBWWwuF1gBkSfqqDYFicdbERXrisuewnP6s/s1600/20140315_mustang_739_%5B800x600%5D.JPG) |
pistons went in next |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsypv86VeWRLprvrbOsBBeuOYB_eoLZZu6OdkGW1Q92q8UIeHcZFrDa7LIwaMWAnWpjmtmgnt1K7TSssruI9vdkQhMkU0Fq2PWlag3DrJceoVDPKE8IA8-2PYUKsN_59rUsrfxORRUm8/s1600/20140315_mustang_740_%5B800x600%5D.JPG) |
starting to look like an engine... |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bz3smeiGuuxHr2TOCG8MbayN0nkOAQiJh8wY8ti1t7RjLkBhQOTRK43S8C2_kJP8QViId5IDlBsssu67cK6eazajCoKm1u7HDqLGspTrQS0mx_JWDq-pQCKYwBVaUaunSoGTd828c3w/s1600/20140315_mustang_747_%5B800x600%5D.JPG) |
cam, timing chain, t/c cover and oil pan installed |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvEJaQ6XJWcai9HoOZIcc0mULk6AN0TNXqVLd30KJz9I2Rji0KtyqDtOE6utHNTurB9Dk8yBqy9KvFp_Jll-R1AVxWHnIgXksA6RKyX9tXgp67TWA9SUcOLoLGZivRpHrXeJDgThqSKw/s1600/20140315_mustang_751_%5B800x600%5D.JPG) |
Heads torqued down, rockers installed, valves adjusted |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XysMUHnQyr3z0W1-7hpNfigv3K_typhCWZqvncXGCeCm4OyzX6NEb6qJzMuk40xKCa3yNTMNPRmxm3jEfAm0vo03US55HhCQR39FcsI_Tqk8GKj5IAldyBmMFr1hhU2dKjFBZetf25g/s1600/20140510_shed_001_%5B800x600%5D.JPG) |
Chuck "persuading" the balancer to go on! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu19FSmrf7bHaPyZKcLduPqRkctHvrbQtEKo8N1pbqDU-gWdHBcyzxs5GpIzeSRboR4zTAWbB5mskvMhR47BKxacphSoWiiG1pnTjmAoOBlaQ-e7KFnJLiwTzi0GsDVOScWfbYOrcC5Zg/s1600/20140613_mustang_605_%5B800x600%5D.JPG) |
You don't see this on engines that were painted after assembly! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1iyYNTGUyxrOwvTuunYJiucygAAGMwnXDqDdj7-mu4EN2EmFrdmllUXssVzyb4HJfiOaoF1hSnSIkDmydsXagfhNwUom0oKeB6UM9SotSTvoehr302Ok-v8WBwlQYT5jo3iH7TmEz1Mo/s1600/20140613_mustang_605a_%5B800x600%5D.JPG) |
Emeryville, California, July 2014 |