Ok, here's the damage report on the engine.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 532
Likes: 2
From: Perth WA
Ok, here's the damage report on the engine.
I have spoken to my Corvette mechanic a couple of times today now that he has pulled the top end down and here's the verdict.
* There are no problems with the engine below the heads, which is a great relief.
* Most of the push rods are bend to some degree and will need replacing.
* Engine had two different brands of head gaskets.
* Valves had been seated into the head a few too many times and were sitting way too deep in the heads, and therefore a bunch of shims has been placed under the springs to try and regain some pressure.
* Wear on all the valves and valve guides through the heads has been quite excessive and was quite dry.
So
* All 16 valves are going to be replaced with oversized valves to get them back at the correct level in the heads. And of course will help improve the flow so I'm getting something good out of this.
* Both heads will be given a full recon job.
All put back together I'm looking at about $1800 give or take for all the parts and labour. :cry :cry
Sounds like a lot of money, but it has to be done. Getting the heads setup to take unleaded fuel was an extra $400 on top of that which I'm not prepared to do.
I was quite shocked until one of my co-workers was telling me about then he had an exhaust valve on his V6 Commodore seize up. Cost him $2500 in his case.
* There are no problems with the engine below the heads, which is a great relief.
* Most of the push rods are bend to some degree and will need replacing.
* Engine had two different brands of head gaskets.
* Valves had been seated into the head a few too many times and were sitting way too deep in the heads, and therefore a bunch of shims has been placed under the springs to try and regain some pressure.
* Wear on all the valves and valve guides through the heads has been quite excessive and was quite dry.
So
* All 16 valves are going to be replaced with oversized valves to get them back at the correct level in the heads. And of course will help improve the flow so I'm getting something good out of this.
* Both heads will be given a full recon job.
All put back together I'm looking at about $1800 give or take for all the parts and labour. :cry :cry
Sounds like a lot of money, but it has to be done. Getting the heads setup to take unleaded fuel was an extra $400 on top of that which I'm not prepared to do.
I was quite shocked until one of my co-workers was telling me about then he had an exhaust valve on his V6 Commodore seize up. Cost him $2500 in his case.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 8
From: San Jose California
Re: Ok, here's the damage report on the engine. (AussieVette)
Aussie,
Are you quoting Australian$ or US$? A set of fully assembled new aluminum heads cost about $1000-$1200 from Summit Racing. These heads would outflow your original fuely heads, AND have screw in rocker studs. If you go this route, make sure you get the 64-67 cc variety and not the 76+cc heads unless you really want to lower your compression.
I don't think I could resist putting a LT-1 cam in it while your at it. It would be a very street able, honest 400 horsepower. Really a perfect balance for that car. I love my 427 and won't go back, but for day to day living with the car, the '70 LT-1 combo is absolutely fantastic!
Chuck
Are you quoting Australian$ or US$? A set of fully assembled new aluminum heads cost about $1000-$1200 from Summit Racing. These heads would outflow your original fuely heads, AND have screw in rocker studs. If you go this route, make sure you get the 64-67 cc variety and not the 76+cc heads unless you really want to lower your compression.
I don't think I could resist putting a LT-1 cam in it while your at it. It would be a very street able, honest 400 horsepower. Really a perfect balance for that car. I love my 427 and won't go back, but for day to day living with the car, the '70 LT-1 combo is absolutely fantastic!
Chuck
Racer
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 491
Likes: 0
From: florida
Re: Ok, here's the damage report on the engine. (AussieVette)
If you have to drop that much cash, maybe you should think about getting some nice aluminum heads already set up and bolt on. The bonus being you could go unleaded at the same time. lou
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Re: Ok, here's the damage report on the engine. (lou)
sounds like you had the same sort person stuff your motor like mine was before i got it.
for what your paying you could probably get a new set of heads.
when i was shopping for heads the Edelbrock ones were $2300.
should be able to get a set of alloy heads for less than that or
a good set of iron heads, fully assembled to bolt on.
for what your paying you could probably get a new set of heads.
when i was shopping for heads the Edelbrock ones were $2300.
should be able to get a set of alloy heads for less than that or
a good set of iron heads, fully assembled to bolt on.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 532
Likes: 2
From: Perth WA
Re: Ok, here's the damage report on the engine. (AussieVette)
Yes I was quoting Australian dollars, so going for aluminium heads would run the deal well over $2000 and even if the advantages are there, it's not money I can justify while I'm trying to sell the car.
Don't get me wrong I want a good job done, as it's a great car and deserves to be well maintained. But this is already spending money I don't have and don't want to spend.
Don't get me wrong I want a good job done, as it's a great car and deserves to be well maintained. But this is already spending money I don't have and don't want to spend.
