chazde3

Haha right?

As of right now, as long as everything checks out fine, I will be powered by the same engine that my dad dropped in the car a few decades ago, just powered down a little bit. I don't think he would mind.

TimAT

Not easily available around me. I have easy access to 100LL and 110 octane, but having to haul fuel is something I'm done with. The 496 replaced a crate LS-7.

7t9l82

An L-88 that early should have closed chamber heads. We used to mill piston tops all the time years ago. I think your on the right path. I knew alot of 11-1 427 engines with that Cam and they ran darn good. You need to post a video of it running.
I had a 68 L-88 years ago with a set of Jere Sthal headers it was an animal. 3:73 gears quick off the line and a heck of a top end and no car sounded like it

chazde3

So I got a quick update on the engine tear down. Everything has been tore down. The cam and crank both look great according to the builder. He believes everything will clean up at .030 over. He is currently waiting for an order of magnaflux powder to come in to verify there are no cracks in the block. Next up is tearing down the heads.

chazde3

Shop update time.

The block was magnafluxed and checked out great as well as all the other internal components, that's awesome news to hear. He will be roughing in a .030 over bore to verify that that's all they need to go over before ordering new pistons.

The heads are another story. They have been previously welded, decked, have deep pitting that would have to be welded to fix, and needs valves, guides and seats. So that's not good news. But, supposedly my dad had a new set of L88 heads tucked away for a rainy day. I know roughly where they are in the house blocked by years of my mom's and sister's crap build up.

When I go to drop off the other heads I will take pictures of all internal components and any part numbers we can find to document everything before it all goes back together.

69ttop502

Great news! Can’t wait to see the ultimate in engines roar back to life. Now go get those other heads!

chazde3

Thanks! Apparently my mom already cleared away what was in the way, but the heads are too heavy for her to move and the casting numbers weren't visible. They are mystery heads until I get over there later today or tomorrow.

69ttop502

We are waiting lol!

chazde3

When life gives you damaged L88 heads, go to the parts hoard and grab a different NOS set of them...









I think they are dated 6-13-72. I'm surprised they were still casting closed chamber L88 heads in 72...


Also grabbed an in the box NOS water pump from the stash and a brand new snap on car polisher which will be a great replacement for my harbor freight cheapo one.

Lobzila

Score!

69ttop502

That is just too cool! Congrats. Going to be a great engine!

Vortecpro

Those are nice!

derekderek

excuse me while I go pleasure myself... ok, I'm back.

427Hotrod

Wow...not too many people have stuff like that in the stash!! Congratulations!

JIM

63mako

Whoa! NICE HEADS!!!! Been their done that. Might be some info you can use here. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ld-thread.html

chazde3

Thanks! I've read through your thread there a couple times now.


So I dropped off the heads last night. While there we looked over the engine components and discovered a worn down cam lobe. Talking to the builder we decided to go with a roller rocker setup for reliability.

That said, anyone have suggestions on what cam to look at to try and retain the lumpy sound of the old L88 setup?

derekderek

Found original cam specs. Get retro roller lifters and a more modern cam. Crane 561 maybe? ZZ502 is another good option. This L88 cam had WAY too much duration and overlap. http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...l88engine.html

63mako

The advertised duration on the L88 cam seems really high but GM rated them at .000 lift, base circle to base circle. Modern advertised duration is .006 to .006 or in a solid lifter build it may be rated at lash point so you can Throw advertised duration out the window for comparison purposes. The Comp Nostalgia plus is what I would get and get compression in the 11 to 1 range to run pump fuel. It is basically an L88 cam with modern lobes, better bottom end, vacuum and streetability Buy the EDM lifters for sure. Check spring pressures on heads that been sitting. They have been partially compressed for 45 years. Likely would go with a cam, spring kit. This cam. http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/c...?csid=476&sb=2
These lifters: http://www.compperformancegroupstore...ct_Code=800-16
These springs:http://www.compperformancegroupstore...ct_Code=930-16

63mako

The cam I posted is a tight lash cam also. The duration @.050 they list is actually- the lash setting so not as extreme as the numbers appear. Comp addressed the weak exhaust flow with the exhaust lift and duration.

chazde3

Thanks 63Mako! I was looking at that one earlier today. I think we are really leaning towards a hydraulic roller rocker setup for long term reliability. I've been looking over the specs from the one you posted and comparing them to specs on roller setups on summitracing.com. not sure if flat tappet numbers directly correlate with roller cam specs or not though.