aaroncorvette

Hi guys

The Starter has exploded in my Dad's SBC powered '51 Stude which has lunched the ring gear, we've got some L98 heads to go it so thought it'd be a good time for a freshen up.

Just got her positioned in the garage tonight so we can start.

All we know from the previous owner is it's a 350 crate engine with a cam,

I got the head id and it's 3986388, it's a bit hard to make it out but it's the closest number I can find as 8's look like 3's etc

This equates to - 3986388
350
68-79
1.72/1.50
76cc

I know better once I get the heads off

I'll get the engine numbers tomorrow



[IMG][/IMG] vette heads

[IMG][/IMG]

If we can get hold of a th200r4 we'll put that in too in place of the th350, although they are a bit scarce over here, nearly got a Buick GN one the other day but he'd sold it already

aaroncorvette

Just got the engine suffix - V0303TDD

Flint, 3rd March

TDD - TDD 1972 350
TDD 1980 350 conv.cab m/t L LS9 155 4 C-20 & 2500

Just got the partial vin - C80119326 which I can't work out

Any help appreciated please!

Just got the casting number from the back - 3970010....302.....69....4...Z-28 Camaro
3970010....327.....69....2...Trucks and industrial
3970010....350...69-80...2 or 4 bolt

aaroncorvette

Got the heads off, they have 1.94 valves installed, a turn up for the books.

I got the dial indicator on the piston and we have 0.035 deck height

[IMG][/IMG]

Sorry about the crummy pics

[IMG][/IMG]


As this is an economy build we're reusing/using parts from the garage as possible.

Flat top pistons -
[IMG][/IMG]

Cost so far

£280 for the heads (swap meet)
£18 for timing tape and new pointer.

The engine is coming out next Thursday to check the bearings over but not looking to take the bottom end apart as it's only done a few thousand miles since new.

aaroncorvette

The engine is finally out

[IMG][/IMG]

Had to take the front off the car though

[IMG][/IMG]

Found one broken and one nearly broken engine mount

[IMG][/IMG]

We've separated the engine and box, and taken the converter and flex plate off.

Next job is to clean up the engine bay, clean up the parts and take a look inside the engine.

aaroncorvette

We found a piece of pushrod in the sump from a previous injury where the pushrod snapped, we found most of the pushrod in the valley and presumed the rest would be in the sump.
[IMG][/IMG]

We painted the block in Hammerite primer and then Hammerite smooth silver

[IMG][/IMG]

Then took the valve springs off and lapped in the valves and cleaned the valves up.

[IMG][/IMG]

Total cost so far £280 for the heads, £10 for a timing marker

aaroncorvette

CR -

Deck height - 0.035
Chamber - 76cc
piston - -6
gasket - 0.041

This comes out at a measly 8.33-1, give or take .2

The new heads are 58cc and with a 0.041 gasket will give 9.99-1, to get an ideal quench i'd go with the 0.015 gasket but as i'm not sure of the cam I probably won't, anyhow this will give 10.6.

SuperBuickGuy

you'll like the upgrade to the D port Corvette heads


why not a 700r4? 200r4 are marginally stronger IF you rebuild them with upgraded gear - but they are weaker before the upgrade than a later 700r4.

did the crank get nicked when it hit that pushrod?

aaroncorvette

I've had the engine apart and it's sweet, I guess the pushrod went down the back of the engine?

Id love a 200/700 conversion, ideally a 200 in the Stude as space is tight but trying to get one in the UK is a nightmare, i've been looking for 6 months and not found one, probably because the 200's were installed in 'crappy' cars and wouldn't be imported to the UK.

There's loads of Camaro's over here but i'd prefer the 200 as it's got better ratios and doesn't need the prop shorting etc just an easier fit.

How much would you pay for a 2nd hand 200 in the US? As i'm temped to come over and buy like 6 or something to ship back and rebuild, they'd have to be cheap though as i'll have import duty, freight, rebuild kits etc

I'm after the TH200r4 multi bolt pattern bell housing

I also have $1000 voucher with Delta

hugie82

If you're going with a hot cam, make sure you pull out the PlayDoh and check the piston to valve clearance. Other than that I wanted to say nice job

SuperBuickGuy

I'm a fan of the 200r4s, and have been looking for one for awhile - nada. You can certainly buy new/rebuilt from any of a number of reputable suppliers - but finding a good, used one (for a price of less than its weight in gold) hasn't appeared on my radar. (as my screenname implies, I do Buick - so the dual bolt pattern is pretty important to me).

I just wonder why dual bolt pattern is needed for you - it's a Chevy - they all bolt together as for size and length, they are roughly the same in every dimension externally.

aaroncorvette

Ok then, as this build has progressed i've renamed 'the recession build' as we're trying to use/reuse as many parts as possible.

I'm re using the Fel-pro 1003 head gaskets from the vette build, and managed to salvage the Fel-Pro intake, exhaust gaskets and carb gasket from the strip down.

Also dug out the ARP head bolts that used to be in the vette, so all in all it's turning out very cheap

[IMG][/IMG]

We've cleaned up lots of parts and primed them with Hammerite primer and top coating in black or silver

[IMG][/IMG]

Also stripped the 600 Holley apart for rebuild but we're looking for a 650 replacement instead now.

[IMG][/IMG]

I've just purchased a TH700R4 this morning for rebuild, can anyone tell me what year this is? It's either an '82 or an '89, I can't tell, it has 27 spline output shaft which indicates an early model but externally the case looks later?? Numbers are 9THM164H, case no 8663548, converter numbers - 030576 and 865315A

[IMG][/IMG]

Total cost so far

£280 heads
£18 timing tape and pointer
£10 engine degreaser
£175 TH700

Already had -

Head, intake and exhaust gaskets.
Paint etc
APR head bolts

aaroncorvette

Thanks mate, yep i'm gonna get the playdoh out and post the results

aaroncorvette

I'm waiting for the Essex Swap Meet to see if I can get hold of a TH200R4, otherwise the 700 will do.

In the meantime I weighed the stock heads vs the ali heads

Stock heads 54lbs

L98 heads 25lbs, both heads assembled (less rockers on the ali heads)

[IMG][/IMG]

Also weighed the Edelbrock Performer intake -

12.5lbs[IMG][/IMG]

aaroncorvette

We went to the Southern Swap yesterday and I picked up a TH200R4 for £30

Also picked up a set of comp cams roller rockers for £60.

A distributor shim kit for £3

A bronze dizzy gear for the vette for £5

The 200
[IMG][/IMG]

Shot Splines -
[IMG][/IMG]

More damage -

[IMG][/IMG]

More damage -[IMG][/IMG]

Knackered band.

[IMG][/IMG]

Empty case ready for a clean.

[IMG][/IMG]

aaroncorvette

Right then, we've decided to use the TH700R4 instead as the 200 needs too many new parts and we need the car back on all fours asap for the shows

Taking the 700 apart -
[IMG][/IMG]

Looks like new inside -


You can still see the ink part number on the band -
[IMG][/IMG]

We also fitted the roller rockers but realise we have the wrong studs. One head is now on the engine

I've cleaned up the gearbox parts and spoke to Andy Frost ( Red Victor fame) who is sending me a shift kit, Vette 2-4 servo, gasket and seal kit and a new filter.

More pics tomorrow.

Stu's81

Re-using gaskets, especially head gaskets probely not a good idea.

SuperBuickGuy

Just a flesh wound?

aaroncorvette

Hi there Buick, they're Fel-Pro gaskets in good nick, they were only in the vette for a short time, I buy good quality gaskets for this reason. I hope you don't think I was reusing trans gaskets ha ha.?

SH-60B

Yeah, that's a pretty bad idea.

SuperBuickGuy

I was only commenting about the nick.... I've used paper bags and paint as a head gasket - so I'd be throwing rocks at glass houses if said anything about reusing gaskets.