Well gents, my plans have evolved after doing too much research and bought a retro-roller cam! I just don't want the risk of wiping the flat tappet Voodoo cam I bought, and having to rebuilt my engine. After lots of research, this is what I bought:

Howard's Cams - Rattler (118005-09) : 227/235 525/530 @ 109LSA

This with the new heads I have is going to be awesome!! Going to start this project soon, as the new Corvette shop is almost done:





Before I moved into the new space and started taking my car apart, I wanted to help my step dad get his car tuned up. He took me for a ride in it a while back, and it's a total PIG! Makes no power and won't rev up. I thought setting the timing and tuning the carb up would fix it, but looks like it has more issues than expected.. We're still working on sorting it out, and we'll get it right!

 

All nice cars and a nice shop with lots of space.

 

Thanks! It's been a lot of work converting that old barn into a car shop, going to be nice having the space moving forward!

 

Got home from a week long work trip in Charlotte to some new parts waiting on me: cam and lifters

Everything looks well finished and high quality! Engine will be pulled in February, and we're gonna put a new top end on the LT-1!

 

Very nice things to come home to.

 

Went on another trip, and came home to more goodies for the cam swap! This time got to unwind in Cozumel with the Mrs for a week. I've been busting **** getting things wrapped up in my new shop and moving tools over so I can get the C3 moved over this weekend and finally start yanking the engine out!

Below are the parts I ordered to complete the cam swap:

 

A few other things I need some opinions on:

1. Head gasket - Best way to measure piston depth to calculate quench and get the right head gasket?
2. What material is best for street driven cast iron block and aluminum heads?
3. Oil pump - seems like a good idea to change while i'm in there . current oil pressure is 12PSI hot idle and 55PSI cruising (10W30 VR1) . M55 or M55HV?
4. Water pump - definitely charging this out while in there! Any brands to look for or stay away from?
5. Installing new valve springs on heads - worth it to buy equipment or is this cheap to do at a head shop?
6. Main bearings - should I go ahead and swap these while engine is out since it's cheap and easy?

 

1 I bought a magnetic base and alteady had a dial indicator. I do this a lot so its worth it tome, you can get them relatively inexpensive. Measure directly over the pin so you dont see the rock. Then measure at the side away from the pin to see max and min rock. I use the dial indicator for other measurents and run out. They are useful


2 steel or copper shims will get you the correct compressed thickness for a non decked head. Most stock pistons on a sbc are .025 in the hole. .040 is the total you seek so look for an .015 compressed thickness. You dont want an o ringed shim as it will leave an indentation in the aluminum. If you can find a thin composite gasket you could use it but i have always had good luck with the first 2.

3. Your oil pressure sounds perfect....i wouldnt change it. If you do go with a High volume. I found my favorite pump is chinese made now so i went with Cloyes. They are more expensive but i would rather spend it now than add hundreds more later...dont trust chinese parts.

4. I buy a lot of TuffStuff products. Made in the US and made well. No issues with their pumps

5. I have the tools for on or off the block. Call a machine shop. They can check your heads for valve stems and seats while they are out before you invest in them. Replace the valve seals while they are out. It may require a quick ream on the stem. My guy charges $70 for it And Viton seals

6. Won't hurt and you can change the rear main seal...win win

 

Thanks for the detailed information!

I do own dial indicators, I've setup lots of differentials with my Jeep hobby. I guess I just need to find the magnetic base.

The heads I have are brand new, so I don't suspect they need any work. Just need to swap the Flat Tappet valve springs on them for the roller valve springs.

 

Well gents, after spending 4 months building a shop, today was the day I could finally move my tools and cars over to their new home! Spent every night after work this week finishing all the little things that needed to be done, and then got up early this morning to move ALL my tools, and organize them in the new tool box. Now I was able to get my C3 in , so did I let her rest peacefully for a night in her new home? HELL NO!: ripped her apart and kicked off this project: pulled everything off around the engine and got her ready for lift off!

 

Like I've been sayin', just another guy with too much free time on his hands!

Nice shop, too. Well done, Sir.

 

Just gotta keep moving, 7 days a week!

Thanks, the new shop is coming together nicely! Breaking her in with a proper mess too LOL

 

Are you pulling engine and tranny together?

 

You sir have way too much energy! Compared to some of us old farts anyway LOL!

So when would you have an opening in you roomy new shop to help with my LS6 build?

Too bad you're only 1500 miles away!

 

Current plant is to unbolt trans from bell housing, and pull engine with bellhousing/clutch attached and leave the trans in. I have no reason to pull the trans, and this seems like the easiest way. I'm open to advice here though!

 

I'm only 36, so can maintain a good pace so far. Hope that doesn't change any time soon!

Would love to have your LS6 and expertise in my garage! bring that thing down to the swamp! lol

 

Got up early this morning, and went to help my stepdad work on his C3: did a compression test, changed the plugs, messed with the timing, then installed a wideband . He's waiting for my nephew to come over this afternoon to help him put the wheels back on , then he's going to start driving with the wideband so we understand what's going on and can start tuning it.

Came home and got a little work done before the Super Bowl: pulled accessories, fuel pump, starter, grounds, and wires off so the engine is 100% ready to be pulled.

The radiator support, frame, and everything else up front is in really good shape. Has typical surface rust, but zero rot up front. Media blasting and POR15 are going to go a long way with all these parts! Engine definitely needs to be resealed with fresh paint, I'm glad I'm yanking it out. Looks like I'll be breaking in my new blast cabinets with all these little parts and brackets. It'll be a lot of work, but going to make a dramatic improvement at the end!

 

Exciting time in your project! Good for you!

Interesting - heater is blocked off. Though I suppose there's not a great need for it in Louisiana!

 

Yeah, no need for a heater in Louisiana: our winters normally stay in the low 60's, and when it's colder than that the corvette just stays parked! Now would be the ideal time to install Vintage Air, but it's just not in the budget at the moment.

 

I got up yesterday morning, lit the stove and washed a bunch of carrots. Baked two loves of irish soda bread. We did a 2.5 mile walk. Brought in some wood and tended the cookstove. Flopped in chair. Didn't do much all afternoon. Lazed in recliner watching my sweetheart put together carrot soup, salad, and somekinda rasberry desert. Delivered all those kitchen products to neighbors, she just home from cancer surgery. Tended stove. Flopped back in chair. Uploaded more pix to roadtrip thread. Read a little. Tended stove. Went to bed.

I think I see the problem!