73 L82 Rebuild or Replace Engine/Trans
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 24
Likes: 2
From: Jarrettsville Maryland
73 L82 Rebuild or Replace Engine/Trans
Weighing the options to have some things done. Desmogged stock 73 L 82 4 speed w Edlebrok Performer manifold and 650 carb.
A) Rebuild the heads, age is getting to them could definitely use to be refreshed. Normal for the age.
B) Trans needs syncros replaced minimally-- never know until its opened up.
C) Rear main seal seems to have a leak. (Dont they all though?)
D) Oil Pan has a leak.
So, my questions to the group. ,
Is it worth it to pull the heads and have them redone?(at a shop for the labor, work, install- I dont have the shop to do this.) While they're doing this, have the trans pulled and rebuilt.
Stop there? Or, pull the drive train- preserve it (44K miles original) and drop in a crate motor and five speed? If so what recommendations?
I realize doing the heads and tranny is probably the cheapest way to go, unless the bottom end winds up needing to be redone. Then its back in the shop and pulling the motor anyhow.
HMMMMMMMM?
A) Rebuild the heads, age is getting to them could definitely use to be refreshed. Normal for the age.
B) Trans needs syncros replaced minimally-- never know until its opened up.
C) Rear main seal seems to have a leak. (Dont they all though?)
D) Oil Pan has a leak.
So, my questions to the group. ,
Is it worth it to pull the heads and have them redone?(at a shop for the labor, work, install- I dont have the shop to do this.) While they're doing this, have the trans pulled and rebuilt.
Stop there? Or, pull the drive train- preserve it (44K miles original) and drop in a crate motor and five speed? If so what recommendations?
I realize doing the heads and tranny is probably the cheapest way to go, unless the bottom end winds up needing to be redone. Then its back in the shop and pulling the motor anyhow.
HMMMMMMMM?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 732
From: Texas City, TX Texas
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 219
Likes: 240
From: Toledo, Ohio
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I have a ‘73 L-82 that was rebuilt by the prior owner. He replaced the heads with Edelbrock heads and put on a 4-barrel Holley with an aluminum intake (and I suspect a cam upgrade). I love the result. I think the heads are likely the biggest change. Kept the cool L-82 finned valve covers.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
L82 is flat forged pistons, good rods, forged crank, 4 bolt block. an argument can be made to put heads , trans, roller cam upgrade on that block.
and then the parts you have stashed in the garage are a much smaller pile...
and then the parts you have stashed in the garage are a much smaller pile...
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 24
Likes: 2
From: Jarrettsville Maryland
derekderek I think this is the way to go-- the trans is a no brainer- keep the stock Muncie (love the thought of a five speed--but--trying to stay true to original). So, that's done.
In regard to the heads, roller cam upgrade-- my thought is that this is probably a good way to go to get this little motor humming like an LT1 from the 1970 type. Powerful enough for me this way. It will never see a track-
What do you or the group suggest considering the following?
Only looking for a strong cruiser to unwind on the back roads, and perhaps, just perhaps, the interstate on occasion. (I live 30 minutes from any major Interstate)
So with the Edlelbrock Performer intake and 650 Edlebrock carb already in place, as well as, a set of stainless long tube headers (2" ports each cylinder-into 4" collectors, out of 3" tubes -- feeding 2 1/2" all stainless Magnaflow pipes/mufflers to the tips).
In regard to the heads, roller cam upgrade-- my thought is that this is probably a good way to go to get this little motor humming like an LT1 from the 1970 type. Powerful enough for me this way. It will never see a track-
What do you or the group suggest considering the following?
Only looking for a strong cruiser to unwind on the back roads, and perhaps, just perhaps, the interstate on occasion. (I live 30 minutes from any major Interstate)
So with the Edlelbrock Performer intake and 650 Edlebrock carb already in place, as well as, a set of stainless long tube headers (2" ports each cylinder-into 4" collectors, out of 3" tubes -- feeding 2 1/2" all stainless Magnaflow pipes/mufflers to the tips).
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
I myself would verify the condition of the short block and if good....add a pair of Trick Flow 175DH heads with the corresponding components.
L-82's are tough as nails.....the 60cc TF head will bump compression nicely to 10.5 to 1....put 1.6 rockers on the stock L-82 cam and it will run admirably.....400+ horsepower with Long Tube headers and 2.5" exhaust.
Jebby
L-82's are tough as nails.....the 60cc TF head will bump compression nicely to 10.5 to 1....put 1.6 rockers on the stock L-82 cam and it will run admirably.....400+ horsepower with Long Tube headers and 2.5" exhaust.
Jebby
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