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'71 engine build begins.

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Old Feb 20, 2011 | 12:57 PM
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Default '71 engine build begins.

My '71 Convertible has the original numbers matching L48 350. It has one rebuild on it, by the previous owner, about 16 years and 30,000 miles ago. I'm building a new engine and saving the original. I'll document what's happening here. The new used block is a 4-bolt 350 with the factory bore that will be bored to 4.030. I have just about all of the parts now except pushrods and bearings. Ingredients include a Crane roller cam, Wiseco forged pistons, Scat forged connecting rods, GM forged steel crank, AFR 195 heads, and an Edelbrock Quadrajet that I was running on the old engine.

Here's some of the parts I laid out on the table to take inventory...






And this is the car it's going in...
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Old Feb 20, 2011 | 01:03 PM
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Looks Great!! Good Luck with your build. Most of the people on CF love those high performance type builds. Hope you didn't spend all that money just to drive it to the store or car show.

Good Luck Tim
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Old Feb 20, 2011 | 01:40 PM
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Hi rcr,
Your 71 looks great! I really like the wheels!
Some more horses should make it even more FUN!
Regards,
Alan
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Old Feb 20, 2011 | 08:46 PM
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Looks like a great build!! On that timing cover you may want to try to fit a pointer on that one as some of those timing covers leave no room for a pointer!!

We use the Cloyes which seems to work pretty good and they use an adjustable thrust button which is a big plus when putting your engine together.

Good luck with your build
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Old Feb 21, 2011 | 01:03 PM
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Originally Posted by BLOCKMAN
Looks like a great build!! On that timing cover you may want to try to fit a pointer on that one as some of those timing covers leave no room for a pointer!!

We use the Cloyes which seems to work pretty good and they use an adjustable thrust button which is a big plus when putting your engine together.
I checked out the Cloyes and now I'm hoping the pointer won't fit. That's a nice piece.
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Old Feb 21, 2011 | 01:16 PM
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I'll be watching this thread intently - planning on doing something similar to my 72 350 except I'll be using the original block.
EDIT: What is your end goal with the motor? High performance or all-around peppy street motor?
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Old Mar 2, 2011 | 09:08 PM
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I'll be right along with ya!!

About to embark on my long delayed 383 build! I have a new ZZ383 long block, AFR 58cc heads, Chris Straub cam, Edelbrock Air Gap intake, and a Holley SA 770 Ultra (Lars' recommendation), plus all the other parts except the push rods, which Straub Tech will send when I get the measurements.

Now what to do with the new (1700 miles) ZZ4??, but I just picked up a nice original 84 CJ7 from your neck of the woods (Kenmore). Hmmm...











Hope you document your build so I can follow along...
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Old Mar 2, 2011 | 11:16 PM
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I've subscribed to this thread, looking forward to the updates!!!
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Old Mar 2, 2011 | 11:26 PM
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Originally Posted by sokoloka
I'll be watching this thread intently - planning on doing something similar to my 72 350 except I'll be using the original block.
EDIT: What is your end goal with the motor? High performance or all-around peppy street motor?
I'm shooting more for all around peppy street motor. With four bolt mains, forged crank, rods and pistons, I expect it to be durable. I like keeping the RPM in the upper range, and the 195 heads should support that, as will the roller cam. Since it's a convertible without a roll bar, I can't take it to the track, but I do enjoy some canyon drives. It will need to make an annual Seattle to Napa drive in August (100° plus through Redding), so I'm adding the Vintage Air. I'm hoping to keep mpg above 14 with the 3.36 rear end.
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Old Mar 6, 2011 | 10:18 PM
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I managed to get a couple of things powder coated at home today. I had blasted the thermostat housing at work this week, and the timing cover is stainless. They both turned out nice. I'm trying to get everything looking similar to what it would have looked like from the factory. Though I am struggling with the idea of painting the nice aluminum AFR heads orange.

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