News: 79 Top-End Rebuild

[Vette79]

Well, as some of you know, I began my Top-End Rebuild Project a few days ago. My goal and plan is to replace everything that I remove right down to the bolts. You will notice in the PICS that I have a few things left to remove like the cylinder heads, pulleys, torsion damper, cam, etc. Waiting for my brother to assist me with removing the cylinder heads due to it's weight. I also can't get the center bolt removed from the lower pulley. We will use an impact wrench for this. So far it has been fun tearing down this almost 30yr old motor. The only problem I really had was removing the radiator and the awkward fan shroud. I figure next weekend we will start putting her back together "New and Improved"! As I have already, I will post questions if I encounter any issues....

 

[Vette79]

Anyone sure on the tq specs for an aluminum water pump?

 

[Vette79]

Build Update!

Block has been cleaned so we started to put things back together. Cam is installed with crank gear, timing chain and cover. Torsion damper and pulley's reinstalled. Oil pan and torque cover reinstalled. Radiator support cleaned and painted. AC condenser needed to be pushed back to install the new cam. Radiator and water pump will be installed in a couple of days. Slow going but the important part is that the project is moving forward...

 

[Vette79]

Fuel Pump, Water Pump and Water Pump Pulley, Radiator, Fan Clutch Assembly and Fan Shroud now installed. Almost done!

 

[Vette79]

AFR 180cc Eliminator Street Cylinder Heads custom milled to 60cc and Edlebrock Performer Intake Manifold with stainless goodies installed!

 

[Crimson Thunder]

Who did you buy your AFR heads from?Did you get them directly from AFR or did you go through a retailer like Summit?I'm also interested in those heads but i will also need a smaller chamber than the 65cc that they come stock with.Your project looks great.Can't wait to hear how much better it runs.

 

[oceangal]

Wow you work fast!

Congratulations it should be a fun summer

 

[Vette79]

Who did you buy your AFR heads from?Did you get them directly from AFR or did you go through a retailer like Summit?I'm also interested in those heads but i will also need a smaller chamber than the 65cc that they come stock with.Your project looks great.Can't wait to hear how much better it runs.

I ordered them through a local retailer who has direct contact with AFR. Got a pretty good deal. I had them custom milled to 60cc which gave us the best compression numbers. The cylinder heads were very expensive but you pay for the quality. The heads look like they will flow better then anything else we have ever seen. Everything we have read points to outstanding results. We will dyno the Vette at some point after we think we have it tuned in. We should definitely be beyond 300hp with what we are doing... I have learned so much doing this build. I hope to have the Vette running next month.

 

[Vette79]

Progress!!!

Headers, Pushrods, Roller Rockers, Rebuilt Quadrajet, Stainless Fuel Line, Temperature Sender, and some more stainless goodies installed... Not much longer now.

 

[pbcanney]

Headers, Pushrods, Roller Rockers, Rebuilt Quadrajet, Stainless Fuel Line, Temperature Sender, and some more stainless goodies installed... Not much longer now.

perty perty

 

[fine69]

Lookin' good, Bud.

 

[GerryLP]

Pretty cool! It will be all worth it!

GerryLP:cool

 

[Vette79]

Time for Break-In!!!

Well, it is time for Break-In!!! A lot of time and money involved in this project but the real benefit was time with my brother and learning more about my Corvette... During the build I also managed to fit in new front and rear sway bar setup.

 

[LT4man]

Jeff,

You really do nice work! I especially like the fuel line running to the carb. How did you get it formed so perfectly?

Let us know how it sounds when you start 'er up!

SAVE THE

 

[Vette79]

Thanks, Lt4man! I ordered the stainless fuel line from Corvette Central. Pretty good fit. With all the new mods I have had to fabricate and modify in order to get some pieces and parts re-installed.

 

[Vette79]

Successful!!!

Break-In was very successful today. She started right up and kept her at approximately 2600 RPM's for 20 minutes. A minor fuel leak from the fuel line at the carb and a minor coolant leak at the nipple on the intake manifold. Temperature during Break-In was around 240*. Pretty high. What's the easiest way to ensure no air in the cooling system? The Vette sounded real good and we should have a video to post soon of the Break-In...

 

[GerryLP]

All things being equal, and if the engine keeps running warmer than usual, check your fuel mixture setting. A relatively lean mixture will make the engine run warmer, and sometimes this would not be something to panic about, but sooner or later you're bound to come across some freak stormy day with average temperatures lower than usual, and the cooler denser air will definitely put your engine's fuel mixture into the too-lean side and risk some "burning" of critical parts.

 

[Vette79]

You mean adjust the fuel idle mixture screws? We have not done that yet. I'm assuming air in the system right now. Once I get her back together we will see.

 

[GerryLP]

Yeah, and I suspect that you have not messed with the rods either, right? The idle mixture would be adjusted to obtain best vacuum signal, and perhaps this will show you that the curb idle needs to be re-set, or the timing adjusted, and by the time everything is checked, adjusted, and set, the engine temperature will settle to a normal level.

The majority of the times I have done a top-rebuild, the apparent improvement in sealing of the surfaces has motivated an adjustment of otherwise untouched settings...

 

[Vette79]

The jets on the carb are bigger. Right now we are at 12* timing. Not enough time during break-in to get much tuning done. Adjusting the fuel idle mixture screws first and then back to timing would be our next step I suppose.