TedH

My 1999 rebuild has always burnt oil. In 2014, suspecting the worn valves were the cause, I had the DART heads rebuilt for $700 and dropped another $1,800 on retro-roller kit, new Milodon pan, Canton timing cover, oil pump, 1.52:1 Comp Ultra Pro Magnum roller rockers, etc.

With that repair, the clouds of smoke and oil dripping stopped but I still had consumption issues.

I just ordered a rebuilt short-block: 1980-85, RH dipstick with 4-bolt mains (my engine is 2-bolt). Bonus is it has the new flat-top pistons I have enjoyed with my 1999 build and moly rings. The goal was to have EQUAL short block to what I have so the parts transfer and set-up is easy.

I should see a little more power since consumption SHOULD end. So, the engine should tolerate a little more spark advance than current.

$1,395 including lift-gate delivery to my home. Should arrive in 1-2 weeks. I've bought a Fel-Pro intake gasket set and the total rebuild gasket set for all of the rest of the gaskets/seals. The rebuilt block has the new freeze plugs, cam plugs, cam/rod/main bearings and reconditioned crank, rods and new hardened rod bolts.

I will be pulling the hood off and cherry picking and assembling the engine onto a stand in my garage scavenging parts from my engine. My short block will go in a bag in the corner of my garage for safe-keeping should a buyer want the original block with its tired reciprocating assembly.

I will probably get some hate but I chose MABBCO as the source for my reman short-block assembly. After searching for 2-3 years for a suitable short block (and I wanted SEASONED block... with 4-bolt), they had the inventory and history. I didn't want to sort out converting to a 1-piece RMS block and didn't want a new block with its uncertainties.

cardo0

Congrats Ted and glad to read your back into your corvette.

Keep us updated please.

TedH

I was really feeling bad having not turned a wrench on the C3 since about 2015. It has sat under cover for over a year. Charged the battery and it fired right up after fuel got to the carb. No apparent fuel quality issues (yet).

It is also getting a radiator repair (lower radiator hose port is oval and needs some rework) and is getting a new 700R4 speedo sender (it was worn/leaking). Hoping to exorcise all of the drivability issues that have persisted for a long time.

silver74vette

Merry Christmas, sounds like some happy wrenching ahead!

Bob K

I guess Merry Christmas is in order!

Sounds like a great plan.

Bob K.

dabreeze

Nice being able to say Merry Christmas again...

TedH

The short-block should arrive in 1.5 weeks. Will mount it on the engine stand and begin the removal, clean-up and transition to it. I have one of those handy plastic trays for the rockers, push-rods, lifters so I can keep it all sorted out. Will likely find a few 'while I'm at it items to address.

I have a nice pair of stainless 1 3/4" SBC headers gathering dust that I would like to maybe try out with this build. Or, just keep running my 1 5/8's until they leak and replace with the newer 68306 HTC headers (I have Jet-Hot coated 68301's installed since 2017).

I have 2.5" true duals with 2.5" H-pipe after the trans running to dynomax super turbo mufflers.

Already looking at possibly upp'ing the Dana 44 diff from 3.54 to 3.73. That will be down the road but with my 700R4 overdrive it jumps off the line with the DEEP 1st gear and really loafs along at 70mph

TedH

The short block arrives next week. Got the shipment notification Thursday. I will be pulling my engine and tearing it down to short block on engine stand. Then, put it in corner, mount the new short block on stand and begin reassembly. Hope to have it back in the vette in January.