Folks:
Latest on my motor rebuild.
Picked up the block, head and crank today, along with the
remaining bits and pieces need to do the assembly. I still need
to paint the block and head, but hope to start assembly this weekend.
The head was shaved 0.120" to bring it up to around 9.5:1.
I had new exhaust valves and guides installed. Looks pretty good,
especially with all that nice hand porting I did =:-) Additional
performance mods: Lightened flywheel, 3 angle valve job, and a warm cam.
My local LBC shop recommended I not use US spec TR6 valve
springs, but use 150HP PI springs instead. This eliminates the need
to shim the inner valve spring, and supposedly these springs are a
little stronger (?). It was only about $6 more, so what the heck.
My lightened fly wheel looks pretty good too. I stayed with the
stock cast iron one, and had a buddy with a lathe shave about 12 pounds
off. I had to have it resurfaced at the machine shop however, since
my friend did not quite get the surface right, and I didn't have the
heart to point out his mistake (He has never done automotive machining,
just industrial). He was such a prince to do it for free, I just said
"thanks".
Complaint department: There are no timing marks on the new
cam timing set, and I can't find marks on the old one!!! @%#&!!!!
How the heck am I supposed to get the cam in correctly? I suppose
I can use a dial gauge and a degree wheel, but gads! What a pain.
Of course, I didn't mark the old set when I removed it. Mutter, mutter.
Machine work:
Deck block 0.010"
Shave head 0.120"
Insert new valve guides
Rebush, resize rods.
Bore 0.020" oversize
Clean block and head
Magnaflux block and head
Chase all threads
Resurface flywheel
Grind crank 0.010"
3 angle valve seats
Reface intake valves
Grind cam, reface lifters (270/272 degrees, 110 LS)
Total: $1000
Parts:
Gaskets
New Oil pump
New Water pump
Front/rear seals
Timing set
Exhaust valves, guides
Valve springs
New rockers
New rocker shaft
0.020" pistons, rings, wristpins
Thrust washers
Rod bolts & bushings
Motor mounts
Tranny mounts
Lots of Stainless fasteners.
Clutch, pressure plate
Rebuilt starter
Rebuilt radiator
Crank and rod bearings
Total: $1000
Scary, huh? Could have done it for less. Still, I don't
see how someone could do an honest rebuild for less than about
$1500. I suppose you could just do a top end, or (shudder)
just hone the cylinders and toss in fresh rings w/o all the other
stuff. To do the performance modifications 'only' added $200
or so to the total bill. ("But sweetheart, it's an investment....")
Well, now to reassemble and then comes the overdrive
addition to the tranny.
It keeps me off the streets.
Happy Hanukah & Merry Christmas,
Vance
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