Congrats!!! Glad to hear you got it running. I still remeber the first motor my brother and I did. We got a wire between the head gasket and head. It didn't turn out as good as yours did, lol.
I'll try to explain another way to remove a u-joint, that will remove one cap, instead of both at the same time. You might need help to support the drive shaft on the other end.
Set the yoke up so the support is under both sides of the yoke, and the drive shaft is free. You can use a vice, but you don't tighten the vice on the drive shaft or yoke, just for support. Beat the drive shaft down with a BFH(big hammer), and the top u-joint should come out. Flip the whole thing over and put the support on opposite side of yoke and hit drive shaft again. NOTE: Do not hit the drive shaft on tube as it might dent it. Hit it close to the end by the weld. After the yoke is removed, you can put the support under both sides of the u-joint and repeat the above steps.
After you remove the joint, clean all 4 holes with emery cloth removing all the rust and also clean the ring grooves if it uses inner clips. If outside clips, make sure surface on yoke and shaft are flap using a file. This will help putting the joint back in.
If that doesn't work, bring it over and I'll try to show you what I just tried to explain. After all, I'm only in Michigan.
Good luck, Daryl
I do know your satisfaction with your engine work. It's cool when it fires up, isn't it!!!
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Smith Racing