OK...back in July I bought some engine components off of a memeber here.

I bought parts which will work on my stock 350ci and can be used on a 383 someday. I want to run these parts for 2 or so years, and then pull the motor and do a 383. This is like splitting the cost up into 2 equal parts IMO. The motor just hit 90,000 miles and does use some oil. I hope its a valve seal or something that I will be replacing.

Here is what I purchased...


Accel Super Ram w/ accel base
- complete setup with 58mm throttle body, all egr stuff, all sensors, water neck, fuel rails, adjustable FPR, etc. (no injectors, have new bosh 22lb type 3...JON recommended the 24 # ones for the mods...)
- Also included a lighenfelter 219/219 camshaft in great shape.

TPIS Long Tube Headers and Y- Pipe

I have a brand new Corsa Cat back and Magnaflow High Perf. Cat on the car now. It was installed around late August.

TIPS AFR Heads
- The heads have 2.02 intake and 1.65 exhaust valves, .625 lift springs, Titainium retainers, guide plates, 56cc chamber. They are like new with under 2k miles on them. I guess TIPS takes the AFR heads and CNC them and such. No longer available unless custom ordered i think. This is what the TPIS tech emailed me back for info about them. "These were 187CC heads, 56cc chambers, .625 lift springs, and titainium retainers. They flowed in the low 270's at .550 cfm. We offered them from 1994-about 2001. They are a great head for 350 and 383 CI engines."

All of the parts are in great shape and are 100 % ready for install.

I have been reading up on similar threads for installing of the components. I have the factory GM service manual for the car.

My main question to you guys is what are the little things I need for installing all of this?

I have a bunch of gaskets, but I will go through and get all that I need.

I havent seen the heads since purchase. I do not know what kind of rockers are on there. I would like to put 1.6 roller rockers on it. Ane recommendations? I would like to clean up and keep my stock valve covers unless I can find a sweet set that mimic the ones on my dads 1960. What about lifters?

What about pushrod lengths? All of this is new to me...

With the cam install, what else should I replace while I am in there. I think the oil pan has to come off to get the timing cover off.

I know the rad/condensor, all accessories have to come off. I will do the water pump if needed, and maybe a dewitts rad while I am at it. The AC works OK, not great, so I will address that when I am putting it back together.

I just do not know the little things like new head bolts and stuff like that. Any tips or input would be greatly appreciated. I am mechanically inclined and have a few friends who can help with the tricky stuff.

What do you think I will gain (horsepower wise)???

I plan on taking a ton of pictures and hopefully will keep updating this thread as I progress. I would like to start before NOV 1, so I have some time to wrench before it gets freezing in my garage.

Thanks,

Mike

 

Where'd you find a super ram at?

When i get into my engine build that's what I'm looking at as well.

 

it was for sale here in the classifieds.

The heads do not have rockers, but have the screwed in studs for them.

What is a good set of roller rockers for the 350 now and the 383 later?

 

Any quality rocker will be fine, 1.6 ratio yes, not sure what size will fit those 60's valve covers. You can install the rockers and try to place the V/C's on, shift them around to be sure there's clearance. I clearanced the stock 'vette V/C's fine for large body full rollers. The drip tabs were ground down as were the sides of the center bolt bosses. I also ground just a little bit off where the SR runners go, the extra clearance helps the stock V/C's fit (see my thread about it). I used non-self aligning rockers.

LS7 lifters are good and a good price.

Push rods, those guide plates on the heads are hardened right? You should use a push rod that's hardened for use with them and run non-self align rockers. Buy a push rod checker tool or borrow one. I simply took a picture from the side at zero/full lift and could clearly see if the rocker was moving across the middle of the valve.

Some things I think you will need, cam thrust plate, timing chain, dizzy gear, oil pump, oil pump shaft, RTV, thread locker, thread sealer, ARP head bolts, dampener, fuel pressure tester, timing light, gaskets (V/C, water pump, dizzy, head gaskets [check compression!], oil pan, main seals, intake, etc), extra o-rings for the fuel injectors/fuel lines, beer.