On my last update I had just gotten the block back from the machine shop having it bored and clearanced for the 383 rotating assembly.

Well as with most people life got in the way and the children among other things took priority. Nothing bad, just everyday life. I did add another family mobile to the stable - a 2001 BMW X5. Got it for a steal and it only needed a few things to make it right. No more car note and cheaper insurance. I sold the 2008 Infinity G37 (note and insurance were killing me) and it was hard to justify having that and the vette with four little children.

Anyway, here are the pics and specs:

Block was bored .040 to clean up the damage. Scrubbed it down and blew out all the passages:


Put in the Scat cast stroker crank and Plastiguaged all the journals. Checked the thrust clearance:


Checked all ring gaps and piston to bore clearances:


Assembled the forged flat top pistons and fought the damn wrist pin retainer spiral locks - those were a bitch and then realized that each side gets two of them:


Got the pistons in and the rod caps plastiguaged and torqued .:


Checked for rotation clearance - the machine shop did a good job.


Put in the cam and timing chain and again checked for clearance:


Had to "massage" the windage tray due to the rod caps hitting:


The only real issue that I encountered so far is that I will have to reuse the oil pickup tube. The Melling oil pump kit's tube is too short:


I think that I am going to make a metal strip to hold the pump pickup to the oil pump. It possibly falling off scares the hell out of me.

Not too bad for the Christmas weekend. It was cold as a witches tit down here in South Louisiana - especially on my carport. She is all oiled back up and in her bag until I can afford the top end - hopefully income tax time. Purchasing some assembled ProComp 210 heads (I know - I researched and have been convinced by my supplier that I will be very pleased) and 1.6 roller rockers. Going to use a converted LT1 intake (unless someone has a miniram for donation - lol). I have most of the parts for the conversion and I have already done most of the mechanical conversion (waiting for the heads to do the bolt holes). I already had the new longtube headers and 3.5 inch stainless duals with x-pipe (done about a month before I pulled the engine).

Need to get a new tune (any suggestions?) and possibly a bigger throttle body (?). Plus a whole lot of other misc parts and a clutch. I serviced the 4+3 while it was out (working fine when removed) and serviced the rearend while she is up on jack stands.

I'm really getting tired of seeing my vette up on stands.....

Be kind please.

 

Did you buy the right one? I bought the Melling 55-S3 and it is exactly the same as the stock one from my '86.

 

Looks like a great project !!

 

Looking good. Interested in seeing what your impressions are of the ProComp heads.

 

The oil pickup should be identical to the old one - if the new pump is correct just order a new pickup (~$10).

The rest of the project is looking great!

 

Spoke to the supplier earlier (they called me) about the pickup. I'm just going to find one locally or reuse (it's clean - why not). I purchased the Melling M55a (his recommendation). No big deal.

I am still a little concerned about the heads but he sounds convinced and convincing that they are great for the price and they put them together at their shop with their choice (or mine) of valves and springs set up for my combination (roller cam and lift). They are CNC'd and they will port for additional charge.

We shall see.

Has anyone used PCMForLess for their tune?

Agent86 - will the 4+3 be able to handle this or should I sell it while it still works and shoot for a T-5 or T-56 (the conversion sounds interesting)?

Again - thanks for all the help that you folks have given me over the past year. This thing would never have been reseurected without you all.

 

See mseven about your tune if you want it right.

If the heads check out Ok with your machinist use them, never stick anything on the car without doublechecking everything sounds like you already know that though.

 

with using Mick (mseven) for your tune. He was my first choice to tune my new motor.Many on here use him.....WW

 

Speedway (among other places) sells a bolt-on oil pump retainer - cheap insurance if you're not going to weld it...

 

If I am using a stock pan and pick up tube, I tack weld it good. But most of the motors I do end up using something like a Canton oil pan and pick tube that is designed to bolt to the pump. You want to make sure there is no way the pick up tube can fall out. I have seen it happen before... not a good thing!

Looks like you are doing a nice job though

 

Thanks guys - didn't know they made a bracket - sweet. $15.00 shipped - just found one online.

My reuse of the oil pan is just one of the places that I can save a few bucks. I am looking for decent valve covers that will fit without mods - preferably the aluminum fabricated type that won't cost me an arm and a leg. The new heads have perimeter and center bolt option so if anyone knows of a set or has a set to sell - let me know.

 

cool pictures

 

Nice pictures. My buddy found a nice set of the fabricated polished valve covers on Ebay. I was suprised by the quality and fit. They were around $60 delivered.

They were for a Ford, he must make sbc. I will ask him the name of the seller and let you know.

 

how do people feel about plastigauge? I used it on an old 305 with no problems but have heard it isn't very accurate from some people.

 

I was just using the plastigauge to verify the clearances -but it is good stuff if used correctly (at least that is what I was taught). Built a lot of engines in the past using this method - hope my luck holds out.