Buseys running stroker

[Busey]

started and broke in cam on Sunday- no issues or leaks temp got up tp 210 deg. in a hot garage
yesterday drained the Brad Penn break in oil into a clean container- oil looked great- no metal shavings
refilled with Brad penn 10w30- took it on the road- drove a total of 22 miles- varying the RPMs
55 lbs of oil pressure while driving- about 19 at idle- water temp 200deg.
did not take it over 3K rpm- but the off idle torq. makes it feel light & peppy
I don't have a wide band O2 sensor yet- so I filled the tank with 91 oct. to be safe

Specs.
98' block & head
88' crank from Standard crankshaft
98' rods- prepped & balanced- ARP bolts
Keith Black IC-944-040 pistons
Schneider 252-262H cam
sealed power lifters
home port & polish head- 3 angle valve job- new stock springs
Victor Reinz MLS head gasket-.005 deck clearance
9.55 static comp- 7.99 dynamic
sealed power rockers
Cloyed dbl. roller timing set
melling standard flow oil pump
new 05' intake
Rubicon Express 62mm throttle body
APN header

need to buy : wide band O2 gauge- cold air intake

[CobraMarty]

Glad to see stock springs. What is the specs on the cam? lift?

[Busey]

intake 256 dur. .448 lift 204 dur. @ .05
exhaust 262 dur. .448 lift 208 dur. @ .05
114 lobe separation
installed at 111 intake center

[Busey]

175 miles still running great- no spark knock or leaks good oil pressure.
but- I started hearing a ticking noise. At first I though I might have a rod knock but I crawled under the Jeep and found that it is coming from the bellhousing.
I have have read about cracked flexplates & loose bolts causing this. The old flexplate was reused, I cleaned it up before installed it and didn't see any cracks.
I wonder if I have a hairline crack I missed. Can the torque converter be ticking ? any ideas
Thanks

[johnhalabama]

Put it in drive & hold your foot on the brake. Give it a little gas. Usually if the flywheel is cracked it will sound like someone banging on it with a hammer under load.

[Busey]

Thanks- I'll give that a try
I pulled the cover and inspected the flexplate with a flashlight. I think I found two hairline cracks

[vashxj]

post what you find out me and my buddy have been chasing a noise on his mustang after his stroker install, it sounds almost like a rod knock but we have pulled the pan and checked everything. you could be on to something

[Busey]

hit 500 miles changed the oil- engine running great- oil looks good
now I need to install my new flexplate
question- can I drop the transmission without draining the fluid ? Im afraid ill get a shower when I pull the dipstick tube.
Thanks- 32RH trans.

[amcinstaller]

i think the cooler lines will get you more than the dipstick tube. could be wrong tho.