The revival of 650143R, 1970 with TS.

[Richard48Y]

I really question the utility of the current baffle system.
It seems to me that it likely impairs efficient oil flow.
It may keep oil around the pick up for right turns but does nothing for left?
I also do not see a clear path for oil to be returned to the left side of the sump except by leaking around the baffle and gate.
Maybe some holes added to the top surface would be an improvement?
Nothing that I see for braking or acceleration baffling.
I hope that someone may have an improved design for me to use.
Once I have the bottom end closer to assembly I may try to fabricate a crank scraper.

Roller rockers I have mixed feelings about.
Not a fan of the complexity, so many additional little needle bearings to fail.
And the expense!
But always a fan of more HP.
It may come to nought but I am pursuing an effort to obtain Beehive springs and their smaller retainers to fit my TS head. There may be something available from the MC world.
The goal would be excellent valve control without the high seat pressure, harmonics, and mass of conventional dual springs.
If I may accomplish this I believe it would also reduce the rate of cam/follower wear.
I may also have the rockers TiN or other coated for smoother action/less friction.

Has to remain a budget build, I've already gone crazy on a "327" Chevy V8.

[Richard48Y]

Been tracking my order of large parts.
Looks like they are in the air, "Departed Stansted GB". 

[Richard48Y]

Most of my parts order arrived today.
Trailing arm is trailing, hopefully it will be here tomorrow.

Wossner pistons look very good and feel pretty light.
does not look like I will be able to remove anything from the crowns due to pocket milling on the bottom side.
My only gripe is the "No Way I use those!" wrist-pin retainers.
They will have to be replaced with spiro-locs, or maybe nylon buttons.

[jbcollier]

I've never had a properly installed wire piston pin clip come out.  I have had three different sets of spiral locks fail.  In all three cases I had the pistons machined for wire clips and no further problems.  I won't use spiral locks ever again.

Nice looking pistons BTW.  Compression will be high!

[Richard48Y]

If available I have never heard of Nylon buttons failing.
Spiro-Loc can be a pain to install but I am surprised to hear of their failure.

Salve Sacco claims that the Renault TS head design is "So good" that I should be able to run these pistons on pump gas.
I expect that I will be adding AV-Gas 100LL to street gas for sufficient octane.
One of the reasons I want a second fuel tank.
My home altitude of 3,700' may also help a little.

[BDA]

It's nice to get new toys!! Great looking stuff! 

[TurboFource]

Nice looking stuff!

[jbcollier]

I run pretty high compression and no problem with local premium.

[Richard48Y]

What is Canadian premium octane vs US?

Unable to do much with the engine while I wait for additional parts and the machine shop.
So I spent some time converting ring gaps and piston clearance from MM to Inch.
These are file to fit rings so I get to use the tool I bought many years ago.
Rings are also narrow, certainly no extra drag.
I plan to buy a fine grit ball hone as I think the cylinder finish is just a bit course for my liking.
So final assembly may be more on the loose side than tight.
But I've always understood that to be the safer direction with forged pistons.

When I told Salv Sacco my target HP was 125 he assured me that I should reach that easily with these components and a decent cam.
I see the factory kits were rated for up to 160HP so I guess my goal is still fairly mild.

[jbcollier]

I like to run 93/94 RON.  Sometimes I can only find 91 RON and it pings a wee bit on that though only at full throttle low rpm.

[Richard48Y]

Around here 91 RON is the best I may buy at the regular pumps.
$7.50 Gal. gets me 100 RON race fuel.
Not sure of current 100 LL Av Gas current price.
I used to have a Fiat 850 with very high compression while living at sea level.
No issues so long as I ran a 50/50 mix with Av Gas.
If I didn't the rings broke.
I learned to be very careful of my fuel mix.
Hoping my 3,700' altitude brings my effective compression down to only 11-1.

[Richard48Y]

Trailing arm arrived.
Looks good, but powder paint is not as smooth as regular spray.
This takes care of the large import items.
Now working on fund raising for a trip to San Diego to get the bulky US items.
It is literally freezing out in the shop and about impossible to heat as it is really just a very large tent.
So mostly concentrating on gathering as many parts as possible so that I may jump on this project very hard around mid April of '23.
First drive by end of Aug?

[BDA]

Of course you want your radius arms to look great but nobody sees them! 

Good luck on your August drive target!!

[Richard48Y]

I have a smaller 12'x24' shed made of wood that I have tried to insulate.
Pretty crowded with storage shelving but I did make sure to put in a decent size work bench too.
Only a standard man-door so a bit awkward to bring large or heavy items into but it can be brought to a livable temp during the day.
Going to try to do some of the sub-assemblies there.
As I have read many of our English comrades do their whole restoration in spaces no bigger than this. 

[TurboFource]

I am doing all of mine in a 1-1/2 car garage with a lot of stuff in it, you can do it! I have an electric radiant heater that provides great spot heat!