Plulled my 350 truck engine apart last week

[Chuck R.]

And was I surprised at what I found.

Now keep in mind that the fella told me it was skipping due to bad plug wires.

Well he was right about the plug wires, but that wasn't the main reason. Two cam lobes were practically non-existent!

If you fipped the lifters bottom up, you could set golf balls on the cam surfaces without worring about them falling off they were so concaved!

Cylinder walls will definately need to go at least ten over but I know I'll get the call to come and see for myself that they will require losing more surface to get them to clean up.

The bright spot is that the crank is in beautiful shape, so at least I have a starting point.

I can't wait to see if I can get this contraption to light off before my wisened counter part from the great State of Kentuckey get's his power plant breathing

Chuckster

[Joe L.]

Re: Plulled my 350 truck engine apart last week

Chuck-----

I don't think that it will really do you any good if the engine can be held to a .010" overbore; I don't know of any pistons that are available in that size. You could probably get custom-manufactured pistons, but that would be expensive. The smallest overbore size that I've seen is 0.020" and not all pistons are even available in that size. I do recommend the smallest overbore possible and that's what I use. However, the best I've been able to do is .020" as far as pistons are concerned. Most machinists want to go .030" since that's what "they're set up for" and that's the most common overbore. That's because most folks figure that one rebuild is all you can get out of an engine, anyway. Corvette folks may think differently.

[Chuck R.]

Re: Pulled my 350 truck engine apart last week

Couldn't agree more Joe, I was thinking of the minimums to get a clean bore, not what was available for pistons.

Your correct that .020 is the closest I could hope to get for stock. I've got everything crossed that that's all it will take and pistons are readily available.

I guess we'll see.

Thanks for the input Joe,

Chuck

[Dave F.]

I'll spot you this weekend Chuckster.....

but be warned - new harnesses are on their way, and the crew is ready once they get here

[Stephen W.]

Re: Pulled my 350 truck engine apart last week

I hope nobody yells at me for posting this here but if you need a set of heads for that engine I have a pair that were redone but never used. I believe they are from a 75 or 76 chevy truck 350.

[Chuck R.]

Re: Shame on you Steve

Wouldn't it be nice if we had an on-line "Parts For Sale" section so we wouldn't be living in fear of making a tech board fauxpas.

Hm, I wonder how it could work?

How about access by member number or password like we do now?

The same input criteria that we follow now for the "Driveline".

Ads could be time sensative in such a way that after a week they would fall off, guarding valuable web space against the "forever dead" ads. This way members will police their own ads against old information if they wish to re-introduce the ad again.

Members could only place ONE ad per viewing period.

All ads would route through the editorial staff to ensure that ads are in compliance and proper format BEFORE the ad hits member's eyes.

I know that access security and policing will be brought up, but how is it policed now? How many ads are placed now by non-members for the lack of a better word "borrowing" member numbers?

Heck, why not put the whole shootin match on-line? What's the difference? Just plow some of our $30.00 into more server space and save on the printing and mailing end.

I'd even throw in another $5.00 if it meant that I could have access to parts that are for sale in "real time" and not days/weeks after the part is long gone by those who benefit from the first mailings!

I know I'm over simplifying, but there must be some options that can be explored. Maybe they have.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, just posing some of my usual "Out there" ideas.

Hey Steve, I'll give you a shhhhh! shout, if I possibly become cylinder head dependent

Chuckster

[Stephen W.]

Re: Shame on you Steve

Yes it would be so nice to have a member on-line swap meet. Actually buy parts from people that have a vested interest not like the E-Bay ads ("Very rare original 283 engine for a 1969 Corvette!").
I'm sure this subject has been explored before but it wouldn't be a bad idea to keep it alive.

[Chuck R.]

Re: Couldn't agree more Steve

You know what they say about eating that elephant don't you?

Chuck

[Chuck R.]

Re: YOU HAVE A CREW????

Must be nice Dude!!!

Over on this side of town, it's just me and my good friend Mr. Craftsman

Got a couple of bad report cards on my $100.00 350 from the machine shop so I won't be able to take you up on your bet.

Cracked oil pan gasket seal lip on the rear main cap. Joe L. has confirmed my thought process to just braze and dress it up. That's not a biggie.

Got the call from the machine shop this A.M. stating that one of the 327 heads failed the magnaflux examination and had a goodly non repairable crack. I guess I'm in the market for a new set of heads now. Just more un-planned $$$$$ heading in the wrong direction.

It only gets better and better

Chuck

[Clem Z.]

unless you are chasing NCRS points

i would buy a new GM crate engine and install it and save time and money.

[Chuck R.]

Re: Nope!

Got the original power plant under the bench.

This is strictly a donor/beater engine.

I've already had the block tested and punched out 0.30 over.

New pistons, rods and ring sets are already on the shelf.

The head issue won't be that big a deal to resolve.

Pretty well committed down this path Clem.

Thanks,

Chuck

[Clem Z.]

Re: Nope!

i would them make sure that your engine builder run the engine on a dyno or at least a engine run in stand so when you install it there are no "issues". there is nothing worst then installing a engine in a car and find out you have "issues". been there done that in my life time and had to make changes while the engine is in the car like a cam that a lobe went flat durring break in.

[Chuck R.]

Re: I saw it happen first hand

on a fresh 400 rebuild in a Firebird.

Snapped the cam like a twig.

It wasn't a pretty sight.........he cryed for hours

I actually have a good friend who is the automotive shop teacher at our local trade school who's offered to look over my shoulder during the rebuild and has also kindly offered engine cell time for my break in process.

He has built many killer power plants for some of our top local racers.

I appreciate your words of caution Clem. When I get close to startup, I'll be asking for "Hale Mary's" if you a couple to spar

Thanks again Clem,

Chuck

[Patrick H.]

Re: I saw it happen first hand

Chuck,

For just over $500 you can pick up a brand new set of real GM Vortec style iron heads. Just make sure you buy a Vortec style intake, and you're set to go. I seriously thought of going this route when one of the original heads on my 71 cracked 3 years ago, but as I had a spare head I just had my spare checked, machined and swapped over the valve gear.

If you have to re-do heads and you're not going for originality, it's hardly worth it given the price of new Vortecs. They're worth a free 30hp too.

Patrick

[Dave F.]

Re: YOU HAVE A CREW????

Yeah, the Motley Crew .....Pete, Re-pete, and Mr. Wizard ! How else do you think I got flames on my aluminum radiator ??!!
Let me know how you do on a set of heads - I may be able to scare up something interesting for you. What are you doing for a cam ? (you probably should email me on that one so you don't get flogged )