I purchased a Mr. Gasket rebuild kit for the big block. I plan on using all of the gaskets except for the head and exhaust gaskets.

Question 1:
With the rebuild kit came a package of "umbrella" valve seals. I asked my (ex-) best friend a while back whether or not I should use them and he said no, they are terrible valve seals and that I should go with o-ring valve seals. I don't want to machine my heads for special valve seals so couldn't I use the umbrella style valve seals if I changed them every so often?

Question 2:
I currently have a set of GM steel shim head gaskets off of the LS4 motor. Should I use these or purchase a pair of Felpro head gaskets. I would get a little bit more compression with the steel shims and I wouldn't have to worry about them blowing out. What do you guys think?

Question 3:
The CAT 4340 forged rods that I purchased currently have 7/16" rod bolts....I am unsure of their tensile strength though. Mike recommended getting rid of the rod bolts and going with a "good" set of ARP rod bolts. What do you guys think, it's an extra $75 or so do purchase the ARP rod bolts?

Question 4:
The valve springs that came with the heads are pretty nice valve springs. The guy I purchased the heads off of was running a .625" lift intake/exhaust Lunati cam. I will be running a .595" lift Comp Cam...I was told that the valve springs will be fine. What do you guys think?

Question 5:
I am planning on using the stock big block rocker arms. I read the "How To Rebuild Big Block Chevys" book and discovered that the rocker arms are hardened. It says that if the tips (where the valve contacts the rocker arm) of the rocker arms are polished or warn that the rocker arms should be discarded. I see no reason why I can not use these rocker arms. The tip portion of the rocker arm is slightly polished from use but other than that they are A-OK.

I am going to place my final order with Jeg's sometime soon and the items that I order will partially depend on this post (i.e. whether I can use the valve springs, seals, rocker arms etc..). I currently need to purchase a set of ARP Main Studs, Cam & Lifter Kit, Moroso Oil Pan w/ Windage Tray & Scraper.

I really would like to hear your input! Thanks.

BTW - My uncle said that once I get the rest of the stuff ordered we can get started with the assembly!

 

1) I used teflon seals, had to get the top of the guides machined to accept the seals, also had to fit under the damper springs.

2) I used Felpro gaskets, didn't put much thought into them. I reduced my compression to around 9.6 to 1. But I had my block decked, and heads milled. So it is probably a bit more.

3) ARP for sure! small investment

4) Make sure the springs will work with the Cam, I had a buddy ruin a cam becuase his springs were not matched (recomended) for the cam. I used 924 comp cam springs with xe274 H comp cam.

5) I used stock rockers, but I am going to get a set of roller tip from JEGS or Summit, they will fit under stock valve covers with a power brake booster (regular valve covers).

Dwayne



[Modified by BigBlockVette, 10:13 PM 1/25/2002]

 

I have been researching this myself Bence. I am on a budget too and looked into just roller tip rockers. My concern was valve guides and the fact that a stock rocker will have more friction tending to put a side load on the valve, hence the guide wear. I did a little more asking around and was told that it is important to have the tip of the rocker centered on the valve. This way there is no side load on the valve and you can kiss your guide worries goodbye. This is acomplished with longer pushrods, ususally .100 longer. I am going to see my machinist sometime and possibly have him make me a set customized to the length I need. This of course will compliment the full roller Pro Mag rockers I have decided on.


[Modified by Stingy74, 11:04 AM 1/26/2002]

 

Seems like you´re going in depth now!

Good luck on this, I´m not this detailed experienced to give you recommendations here, but I just want to encourage you with my post!!! :yesnod:

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