'87 Engine Rebuild Advice
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville TN
'87 Engine Rebuild Advice
Blew a head gasket on my 87 convertable just before christmas. It's a high miler so I'm doing a full rebuild. Question one, I have heard that these engines have a problem with blowing out head gaskets. Would some good (think edelbrock?) aftermarket heads solve this problem or is this pretty much a myth that good preventave mantenence takes care of. Next question, I want to get a little more streetable power out of it. I plan to go to a 58mm throttle bodyand have the plenum ported to match it. Would edelbrock high flow runners and manifold be a good investment or should I stay with the stock units and maybe have them cleaned up and matched? Third question, where in the scheme of these things would a better cam play its most useful part? Think streetable and reliable for me here, guys.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 124
From: Wichita KS
Re: '87 Engine Rebuild Advice (okpcharlie)
Blew a head gasket on my 87 convertable just before christmas. It's a high miler so I'm doing a full rebuild. Question one, I have heard that these engines have a problem with blowing out head gaskets. Would some good (think edelbrock?) aftermarket heads solve this problem or is this pretty much a myth that good preventave mantenence takes care of. Next question, I want to get a little more streetable power out of it. I plan to go to a 58mm throttle bodyand have the plenum ported to match it. Would edelbrock high flow runners and manifold be a good investment or should I stay with the stock units and maybe have them cleaned up and matched? Third question, where in the scheme of these things would a better cam play its most useful part? Think streetable and reliable for me here, guys.
You will get more responses if you post this question in the C4 section.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zeroforum?id=48
Have you taken a look at the crate engines available? The GM Performance Parts catalog has lots of engines and components like HP heads etc.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,535
Likes: 2
From: Rochester NY
Re: '87 Engine Rebuild Advice (mapman)
Since you are going to do a full rebuild, why not do a 383ci stroker and junk your TPI and run a super ram set up with 219 cam. Have your aluminum head ported with 2.02/1.6 valve. This combo with tuning and a good exhaust. You should have a very nice and reliable combo that is good for around 440hp.
Bruce
Bruce
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
From: Costa Mesa CA
Re: '87 Engine Rebuild Advice (okpcharlie)
IMO....
Ditch the 58mm TB idea. Unless you have need for serious air requirements, that big TB with just give you fits as far as idling and hestitation. 52mm is plenty for all but the hugest C.I. air gulpers.
My engine cost me $3100 for a rebuild. 3000 miles later, both head gaskets blew. They were warped so bad the machinist had to take .014" off the heads to make them flat again. When I put the new gaskets in, I used the heavy-duty Felpro ones (twice the cost of regular OEM type). I'm starting to see air bubbles in the radiator again.
So yes, there is a problem.
Don't know the cure or I would have done it.
BIG JIM
Ditch the 58mm TB idea. Unless you have need for serious air requirements, that big TB with just give you fits as far as idling and hestitation. 52mm is plenty for all but the hugest C.I. air gulpers.
My engine cost me $3100 for a rebuild. 3000 miles later, both head gaskets blew. They were warped so bad the machinist had to take .014" off the heads to make them flat again. When I put the new gaskets in, I used the heavy-duty Felpro ones (twice the cost of regular OEM type). I'm starting to see air bubbles in the radiator again.
So yes, there is a problem.
Don't know the cure or I would have done it.
BIG JIM
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Re: '87 Engine Rebuild Advice (BIG JIM 54)
Jim, you might want to try re-torquing the head bolts.
I remember when I used FelPro 1014 head gaskets and went back a few weeks later to check the torque on the head bolts, I found they had dropped around 25/30 pounds. From 65# to 35/40#.
Worth a "look-see".
Jake
I remember when I used FelPro 1014 head gaskets and went back a few weeks later to check the torque on the head bolts, I found they had dropped around 25/30 pounds. From 65# to 35/40#.
Worth a "look-see".
Jake
