mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

looks great man!

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Hate to say, but car may be up for sale soon.

LivinLarge

Why?!?!?!?

khulsebus

iTrader: (2)

How have I missed this thread for so long?

BADNBLK

iTrader: (11)

Holy what!? Really. I wish you were closer to me. I'd like to take it off your hands if it really came down to that.

Hope it because you ran into some sort of an amazing deal on something REALLY cool, and not just a financial thing. Good luck man.

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

I'll keep posted. Semi financial. There were a lot of empty promises made to me, and things weren't followed through on. She is a sweet ride for sure. No rust at all, but I'm afraid if I can't find a place to keep her inside until I have the funds to finish the project, I'd rather have her go to someone who can give her what she needs, rather than sitting and deteriorating. I love the car so much, but it'd be selfish to take a chance of a near immaculate 3rd gen being left to sit.

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

I wouldn't sell it to just anyone, and can wait all summer to find a buyer if it comes to it.

mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

Empty promises? Care to elaborate?

kmcn47

i don't want to assume but i imagine the guy he was working for, whos ename i cant remember

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Okay well I found a relative who will let me stow the car. This thread is gonna be dead for awhile, but one day will be back with a vengeance. I promise.

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Well guys, I am back and working on the car! It sat for a few months, and the exterior is a bit dirty (engine bay also a little corroded) but I am saving it now! The last thing I did before I parked it was install a WS6 steering box, and the u-joint Astro van steering shaft.

I started pulling the engine apart in the car to have a look, and looks like I may have had skirt slap on cyl #8. The others looked good with almost no scratching, but #8 had dark grooves running up and down the sides of the walls. The exhaust valve also looks dark colored to me.

The cam was pretty chewed up as well.

I'm taking the block to be machined on Friday (assuming I get it completely disassembled tomorrow) It will probably end up going another .030 over.

I also impulse bought a pair of aluminum L98 heads off third gen ranch... I will probably end up using them. I need to select a cam now...

some pics

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53106660@N03/9461381447/

The passenger side cylinder head

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53106660@N03/9464162158/
Since my TKO deal didn't work out (half way through *face palm*) I will probably be forced to use the T5 for awhile, until I can afford an LT-1 style T56. Does anyone have any idea why it might be eating output shaft bushings? Perhaps the tail shaft has wear inside causing slop, which ultimately destroys the bushing? I installed a new one twice, and for 2 weeks it would ride smooth at all speeds with no leaks, but after that, the vibration would return as well as the leak. Would I be able to correct for this by finding a larger bushing or perhaps shimming the bushing?

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

SKIRT SLAP ON #8

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53106660@N03/9467658775/

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

My Honda has a small block in it!

kmcn47

what happened to your goat?

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Now that is a story. Had the bank check ready to make the payment (in its entirety) and asked to see the car up on a lift the day I picked up because I noticed one of the tires had a bubble on it (would not pass Mass inspection that way) When I got under there I noticed it was leaking oil around the rear of the engine, leaking coolant (part of radiator cracked), and the steering rack was PISSING fluid everywhere. It was in nice shape otherwise, but it seemed like it was neglected mechanically... They must have cleaned it up the day I took it for a test drive (called ahead) and it was warmed up that day. I stupidly OFFERED to buy the car if they fixed these issues (which was probably to generous, but I wanted it) and they refused, so I walked away, and It is still on the lot to THIS day.

Family member offered up an 09 Accord 4 Cylinder 5 speed, and I love it because it was free. Other than that, it drives like crap, and is slow, not particularly great mileage either, so I look forward to driving my Camaro soon!

kmcn47

that is quite a story, hope you get your camaro back up and running soon, so no more plans for engine swap? just keeping your current mil on a fresh rebuild?

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Going another .030 over. Mw66nova has been helping select parts. Basics I'm running will be 58cc aluminum corvette heads, and a CC Magnum XE268 cam. Waiting to hear back from the machine shop now.

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Block looks good... So I pulled the trigger on the build. Got a nice set of forged pistons, and rods. Heads were good, so they are just getting new valve springs, and roller rockers. Pictures soon... My friend is welding up my antenna opening in my fender tomorrow, and another friend (great body guy) is going to do some paint work on my hood, and fender as well.

I'm free all day to work on my car (how often does that happen?) So I am going to be working on my engine bay, and harness a little bit. Going to sand it down, and get a base coat of etching primer on it, before I let a real body guy, do it right the FIRST time.


Pic of my friends Mustang with my car. Similar styling cues.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53106660@N03/9575921108/

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Finally sitting on IROCs again. After I get centers and polish/clear spokes they should look good. I don't need the extra grip right now. I'll save my trans by spinning instead of gripping with the new motor haha.

skinny z

Nothing like a Coupe on the IROC rims!
I had mine professionally refinished. I even did a pair for the slicks.

skinny z

Curious as to your piston selection with those small chambered heads. I see you picked up some forgings...

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Those looks nice! I was not in love with wagon wheel look... I'll probably keep the rears kicking around if I go to the strip for some extra hook.

I went with Speedpro forged pistons (stock style 4 valve relief) with a slightly thicker than stock head gasket, as per mw66nova's advice. Machinist thinks the engine will make around 350hp with my setup, and over 420 ft/lbs torque.

skinny z

Thanks.


Sounds very reachable. I've done a couple of builds with the Vette heads. Those small chambers with a .040" gasket and your pistons should build around 10.25:1. Very nice. The aluminum head is somewhat forgiving when the compression gets up there. The cam is a little short but you'll love the torque it'll build.

mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

i suggested the xe268 because of the driving he does with the car. if it was a drag only setup or more street strip, i'd have gone more aggressive, but the torque curve of that xe268 should be pretty incredible, and will make it extremely drivable, especially with the clutch.

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Exactly. I discussed this with the Machinist, and he agreed 100%. Car is a driver, so I'm willing to give up a little power for drivability. Picked up a Holley 650 double pumper today as well.

mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

nice. sounds like you need to get a Walter Racecraft sticker too, lol

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Haha I'd be honored to run one. Thanks for all of your help the past few weeks.

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Well turns out the carb is 600cfm just like the one I have. Oh well. Do you think I could run a 600 and be okay?

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

My guess for the driving I'd be doing I wouldn't see much of a difference between the 600 and 650. It would only my crucial at higher RPMs correct?

skinny z

I haven't read too far into your thread regarding the "kind of driving" you'll be doing however for what's it's worth, 600 cfm carbs have been on the top of 350s for decades.
If it's a vacuum secondary carb, I'd expect you'll get excellent drivability, great throttle response and very good mileage provided you get the tune right. With a mechanical secondary and your stick shift, you'll find that your fuel economy may tend to suffer some with the twin accelerator pumps. Unless you plan to race more than drive, my preference has always been a vacuum secondary carb.
As for performance, again, if you get the tune right, that is to say, the right AFRs at WOT, then you'll have all the performance you'll need.
Of course, these are just my opinions based on my experiences and those that I race and bench race with. Other people may offer different opinions (750 double pumper!)based on their experiences.

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

I could get ~23 mpg with my vacuum secondary 600. I didn't notice a huge decrease when I drove the same with the double pumper (you can feel the detent in the pedal for the secondaries) however under WOT the secondaries were slow to open with the vacuum setup and I felt I was losing them between shifts, so I went to the double pumper.

skinny z

Having never run a mechanical secondary carb myself (although I've worked on a few) I could see that if you're cautious then you could achieve similar results as with a vacuum carb.
I would think that driving around town with a stick car with all the action on the gas pedal might kill your in town mileage some though.
I do envy your manual trans. If I had to do it all over again, I'd make the move to a stick.

mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

do it skinnyz

fwiw, on 305 v1.0 i picked up 2 mph and dropped .2 in ET with just going from a 600 to a 650.

mileage was in the 21-22 range on the highway.

khulsebus

iTrader: (2)

If you have the 600 I say run it and give it a try. Might be fine, if it were me, I would give it a shot before I bought a new carb.

skinny z

Interestingly enough, I have an 86 TA with a 502 TKO 5 speed sitting beside my shop. That thing is a blast to drive. Dynoed at 620 chp, it was built by a friend who lost interest. Everything new or nearly so...I just need 20 grand to take it off his hands..minus 6 years of storage! I'd love to put the drivetrain in my Coupe.
(Thanks for the thread Strat).

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

I wonder if he'd sell you the TKO!

Getting the motor back next week (as a short block) Just can't wait to drive the car again.

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Well I worked on my old intake today. I really should being getting a Performer RPM, but this is the 2701 Edelbrock EPS manifold. I ran a spacer to get the carb to clear the throttle linkage, and set the air cleaner up into my cowl induction hood before.

Today I carefully worked down every nook and cranny on the intake with a wire wheel, and hit it with a few coats of etching primer, before a few coats of red engine paint. I permanently attached the spacer to the intake, and made some fillets out of JB weld (don't hate me), and baked it at 200 degrees for 45 minutes. Came out pretty good, and the paint seems to have adhered very well. I guess time will tell though.

kmcn47

looks good, guess im not the only one doing wire wheeling and painting now haha

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Haha thanks... I rarely see painted intakes these days. I was originally going to go black (hides grease) but thought I'd try this first. I will probably end up with a Performer RPM in the future anyway. Any pics of your work anywhere? I felt kind of on my own on this one.

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Picture of the finished intake with the old Holley I just purchased sitting on top. Paint is rock hard.

The Holley I am using looks brand new, but is locked in the car right now, and I didn't feel like going out to get it.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/53106660@N03/9628041188/
Just have to clean the top gasket surface and put in my spreader.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53106660@N03/9627805578/

kmcn47

looks killer, i do like that red, i think i remember hearing somewhere that red is the color that dissipates the heat best or something like that. i can remember alot of old circle track engines being red

EDIT: i remember now, it was red glyptal paint, and its main gimmick was that it sealed any small pores in the metal, guys would run it through the inside of their engines to supposedly help oil drain back faster. does it work? no idea never tried it supposed to be a corrosion inhibitor too

KITT1983

iTrader: (3)

Nice job but can you paint my shock towers

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Easy compared to the intake. Just have to put jackstands under the A arms while doing it, and you'll need an alignment after, unless they are off the car already.

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

That's pretty interesting. I was originally going to do my whole engine silver, but then thought about greasy it would look, and decided to go with red. Not sure if I am going to paint the heads or not... Maybe polish them a bit, and hit them with clear, but the rest of the engine is going to be red, with the exception of my silver serpentine setup, and black pulleys and hoses. I am going to get rid of the hose dress ups I have on there now. I want everything to functional rather than "look pretty"

Confuzed1

iTrader: (4)

68Strat - I've always kept up with you're ride since you joined the boards. It's a great looking ride and it looks like it'll be back on the road soon! Good luck with it!

As far as the painting and oil return thing, I've seen quite a few guys epoxy paint their oil valleys under the intake to promote better oil return. Of course, chamfering the oil returns on the rear side of the valley helps too. My lifter valley was chamfered and I'd show ya, but I'd rather not pull it apart...

86'sportcoupe

Intake looks really good! its unique, I like it!

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Tried to take the car for a spin today... Was a little low on power

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53106660@N03/9651310250/

kmcn47

lookin like a lightweight trackday camaro

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Stumbled across a low mileage lt1 style T56 online for $750. Sent a message on the ad (only up a few hours) if all goes right I will be picking it up tomorrow. Hope I get it!!! I don't want to be stuck with the T5 and 750 is a great deal. I could flip it in a day for 1000 if I wanted (but need it haha) I hope I can sleep.

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Should have the short block back soon... Sitting on some parts, getting antsy!

Decided on some stock looking valve covers. Silver, red, and black theme under the hood. Nothing too flashy... Going with black hoses all around... Just going to look clean, and function well.

Have to bring the radiator by a radiator shop Monday to get a pinhole leak fixed.

1LE brakes going up front. Not sure what I am going to do with the rear yet, but I'll have pics up of me modifying my spindles soon.






When block is done, it will be repainted red.