swflastang05's build thread

[swflastang05]

What did you torque the old heads to? ARP had bad torque specs on some of their stuff, at one point calling for 110 or 120 foot lbs which will distort the block. Most reputable builders are using anywhere from 75-90 foot lbs on the 3v head studs.

I torqued all to 33, then 66, then final was 100lb ft. There was a total of three cracked bolt holes that when pressurized result with water steadily flowing into the crank case.

 

[AutoXRacer]

I wanted to get head studs, but after reading all the horror stories, I opted for easy OEM bolts. They handle up to 1500HP, so I figured I was OK.

I do like the thought of ARP studs though...

I got ARP bolts and studs every where else.

 

[swflastang05]

I wasn't aware of the horror stories until later, I've used them on iron blocks several times but this was my first go round with an aluminum block, what a learning experience! New block still isn't here either, was supposed to arrive yesterday, then today, now supposedly tomorrow but this morning it was in NC so I'm not holding my breath! Oh well whenever it gets here I'll jump on it ASAP to deburr, etc. and get in line at the machine shop again.

 

[BruceH]

I wasn't aware of the horror stories until later, I've used them on iron blocks several times but this was my first go round with an aluminum block, what a learning experience! New block still isn't here either, was supposed to arrive yesterday, then today, now supposedly tomorrow but this morning it was in NC so I'm not holding my breath! Oh well whenever it gets here I'll jump on it ASAP to deburr, etc. and get in line at the machine shop again.

Was there a storm somewhere? Usually fedex is right on with their delivery estimates.

 

[swflastang05]

Not that I know of, I tracked it this morning and it's here in town now, just not delivered yet. Hopefully in the next couple hours since my office closes then and that's where it's getting delivered.

 

[swflastang05]

The new (new for me anyway, lol) block arrived! Thanks Bruce H! It got a little dinged up during shipping but nothing too bad. I spent a couple hours last night deburring it and clearing the oil passages, etc. then dropped it off at the machine shop this morning along with the RTA and heads so everything can get a good once over from another set of eyes and get it all prepped again. It's funny how I have a renewed excitement about rebuilding the motor again all of a sudden; thinking of all the things I can improve from last time. Some mods I'm thinking about are the full thrust bearing, valve cover pcv removal & catch cans, head cooling mods, and a few others. Not sure how many I'll actually do but all things to consider anyway. Here's the new block still in the crate:



Thanks again Bruce!

 

[swflastang05]

Gotta question, probably a dumb one but anyway I noticed the rear cover is slightly different on the new block, which is technically older than my previous block. I assume there's no benefit to using one cover over the the other, correct? And I should just use the cover that came with the block?
Here's the pics, new one on left (older style), previous motor on right.

 

[swflastang05]

I decided to use the plate that came with the new block since it's a little heavier, probably stronger, and I found some stress cracks in my old one. Still another week or two before I get everything back from the machine shop. In the meantime I improved my catch cans by relocating them to the PS wheel well behind the bumper via aluminum bracket. I also drilled & tapped my valve covers for -an fittings and will connect to the cans via -8an line. I also removed all the pcv crap from the valve covers and installed baffles instead.


Also working on head cooling mod. I contacted Cobra Engineering that was featured in this month's MM&FF, but they don't have anything for 3v so they sent me all the 2v & 4v parts to see if I can make them work. I found by re-drilling a couple brackets they'll fit like a glove! I'm modifying their brackets then sending back to them to duplicate, nothing like some R&D, kinda cool I guess.



Planning to weld some bungs on my crossover pipe for the other end of the cooling hoses to connect. If all goes well I hope to have everything back before Thanksgiving so I can reassemble the motor over the long weekend.

One more pic, just cuz it's cool, a billet BBC at the shop getting some work done, this motor goes in a Pro-Mod Outlaw car that runs 5.80 - 5.90's 1/4 / 3.60's in the 1/8th! Alcohol blown 50+ lbs boost, freaking nuts! I guess the only gaskets in the whole motor are the heads and oil pan, everything else is O-ringed. Amazing what you can get when money is no object.


I'm also having a mod done to the thrust bearing that includes drilling & tapping the oil passage for #5. More to come on this later, should be pretty cool though.

 

[BruceH]

FYI there is no reason for a head cooling mod. It's a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

Glad to see the block is working for you.

 

[JeremyH]

FYI there is no reason for a head cooling mod. It's a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

Glad to see the block is working for you.

This is my first thought, I was under the impression the revised coolant passages for the 3v doesn't have the problem the older heads did.

Either way it won't hurt. And shit make them pay you for doing the R&D for them! lol

 

[swflastang05]

This is my first thought, I was under the impression the revised coolant passages for the 3v doesn't have the problem the older heads did.

Either way it won't hurt. And shit make them pay you for doing the R&D for them! lol

That's what I figured, it may or may not help, but it won't hurt and while I have everything apart why not, especially since I'm getting the parts for free! I don't think they'll pay me, but I'll take some free parts, lol

 

[LAStang1234]

Literally just caught up on all of this! So sorry to hear about the old block Kyle. Sounds like you've got it all covered this time around. Best of luck man!!

 

[swflastang05]

Literally just caught up on all of this! So sorry to hear about the old block Kyle. Sounds like you've got it all covered this time around. Best of luck man!!

Thanks man, yes I learned a lot over the past few months and will be a LOT better off this time around. The machine shop got behind and didn't get all my parts ready in time for me to reassemble this weekend, can't say that I'm surprised about this. They're the only shop anywhere near me that has the proper torque plates and that I actually trust, their work is second to none so I will wait patiently, sort of, lol!

 

[swflastang05]

Well I'm pleased to report I FINALLY, and I mean FINALLY got all my parts back from the machine shop! It only took a little over 7 weeks... anyway everything came out great, looks like a brand new block! Race prepped and ready to go. I started working on it a little over the weekend; after checking all the main clearances I got the crank back where it belongs, hopefully for the final time. Here's some pics:

Finishing up the line hone at the shop:


Ready to rebuild!



Beautiful fresh cross hatch!



I did go ahead with a thrust bearing oiling mod:


After a short fight with the lower thrust bearing I finally got the end play where I want it at .008 and the crank is back where it belongs:



Checking rod clearances next!

 

[BruceH]

Looks like someone is putting a motor together. Looking good.

 

[AutoXRacer]

Awesome!!!

Your putting your motor back while I'm tearing mine apart again... sigh

 

[05stroker]

Awesome!!!

Your putting your motor back while I'm tearing mine apart again... sigh

One of us is always putting one in while another is taking there's out, shit happens, just get it done and go fast! That's how I look at it.

 

[Scott]

Looking great, good luck with the assembly!

 

[crownaviation]

One of us is always putting one in while another is taking there's out, shit happens, just get it done and go fast! That's how I look at it.

lol. Gets boring when everyone's shit is running

 

[swflastang05]

Looks like someone is putting a motor together. Looking good.

Thanks Bruce, another BIG THANKS for selling me this block, hopefully it will come back to life in the very near future.

Awesome!!!

Your putting your motor back while I'm tearing mine apart again... sigh

I don't think yours will be that big a deal this time, maybe a bad valve seal, or something fairly simple. If your compression and leak down results are good I can't imagine any major problems with the rings, etc.

Looking great, good luck with the assembly!

Thanks Scott! Hopefully I won't eff up the head stud install this time!

One of us is always putting one in while another is taking there's out, shit happens, just get it done and go fast! That's how I look at it.

^^Yea man, get er' done!

lol. Gets boring when everyone's shit is running

Speaking of running, did you get yours running yet?