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Ken's Engine Project...

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Meet Will Brogdon - "Engine Builder Extraordinaire"

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We're right on schedule! I took the pan to him today so he could check for clearance, and decided to snap a few shots of the shop while I was there. As I've said before, everyone has their own methods and ideas of organisation, so be nice ok?

_ken
 
Oops! Forgot one...

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My timing cover came today too. It's such a nice piece that it's gonna be a shame to hide it behind a water pump.

_ken :J
 
Keith, if I even had anything to DO with that garage, it would be my first order of business to organize the frigging place! :L

_ken :w
 
I could loose an entire car there and not find it for several years. Maybe you should paint a bright pink X on the door and put a flag on top just incase it blends in too well with all that aluminum and metal around there.

:cool
 
The DUI distributor and rev limiter arrived today...

...and there ain't gonna be a problem with matching the heads to the MiniRam, so it's still right on schedule. :J

Question - Chris, when I bought the distributor and rev limiter, I didn't think of the adjustable timing controller. Should this be considered as a necessary part of the ignition upgrade?

D.U.I. has an adjustable timing control listed for $139.00 racer net, MSD has one for $188.40 general trade price, and TPIS has a "Electronic Spark Control" (ESC) listed for $55.77. Is the spark control from TPIS the same thing and if so, why the big difference in price?

_ken :w
 
Ken,

I don't think you even need one. Those are more geared to guys that are running super chargers or turbo charges. You will still have a knock sensor and you are running a custom computer program geared to the application. Therefore, you should not have to monkey with the timing very much after the intitial set. In other words, you will break the engine in, then raise the timing unitl the knock retard sensor starts kicking in, then back it off just a tad. That is it. You should not have any other reason to be fulling with it on a real time basis.
 
Ken - you don't need all that stuff. The computer with the new PROM will handle everything except RPM limiting which you probably don't need unless you plan on banging on 6500+ all the time with hydraulic lifters or 7000+ with solids. The ESC Module that TPIS is selling is a replacement for one that is on the car already and is part of the knock sensor management system. If it detects knock through your one or two block mounted sensors it can retard up to 20% (per couple of manuels). Remember your comfortable red line will be determined by lots of stuff but mostly the cam and lifter design. Why do we want to dump the L98 stock motor. Because it hits the wall at 4800. Ever try to really do 6000 - after 1 gear it's a total waste plus 1/4 mile times are better shifted not much if any past max HP so you fall into the sweet spot on your torque curve where you have lots of power.
For a street engine you want a large RPM range for drivability not a peaky type range good for only one purpose.

Be good - but not too good.
 
Chris doesn't have to feel so bad about the dash...

Getting prepared!
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These don't belong there do they?
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Wednesday, I stopped by Richie's shop to discuss what "ducks" I have left to get "in my row". I discovered when I was there that Paul, one of the other mechanics who worked for Guldstrand when he was still in Culver City, the same time as Richie, is now working with Richie at his shop here in Carson. Talk about a godsend for me! Thank you very much VETTEFINDERJIM!

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Neat name choice, eh? Richie Okamoto - "Okamotorsports Inc."

Anyhow, I think we have it down now as to what to get. The Lakewood scattershield should pose no problem as far as fit goes, so I'll go ahead and order that and the hydraulic throwout bearing (Any suggestions out there? Howe? Tilton? McLeod? I'll probably go with Tilton). We'll have the driveshaft and half-shafts balanced at a shop (Driveline Specialties) next to Richie's and he's even got a trailer of a friend's in his shop currently and he said it wouldn't be a problem hauling the Vette to Jimmy's shop, after we pull the engine, to detail the compartment. Who could ask for anything more?

I stopped by to see Will right after that and he had good news as well. He was happy as a clam because when they checked the rotating assembly for balance, it was so close, that in the end it will amount to being internally balanced, instead of externally through the dampener and flywheel. He said that Eagle did a real nice job on balancing the assembly.

The shopping list still consists of:
  • hydraulic throwout bearing
  • scattershield
  • u-joints (balance driveshaft/half-shafts at the same time)
  • power steering pump (May as well replace it now while I'm there, the rack has already been replaced a year or two ago.)
  • alternator/air conditioner brackets (March? or polish the factory units?)
  • injectors
  • motor mounts
  • valve covers
  • The PROM

We're still on schedule! :J

Budget? What budget? I don't need no stinking budget! :r

Now if I could only get it running. :cry

_ken :w
 
More parts...

And as Chris has already pointed out, "More money!" ;)

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Ordered the Tilton hydraulic release bearing and the Lakewood bellhousing today too. :J

_ken :w
 
It is ALL good! Looks like a sweet set of valve covers. I really like them.

I am doing the same basic hydraulic release bearing in the 69. Mine is coming from Quarter Master and is suited for the Muncie trans. Same exact concept. It is more expensive, but when you figure you are getting a release bearing, slave cylinder, and clutch fork all in one, it is not so bad.

I don't have a heavy duty scatter shield/bell housing in the 90. I am not currently aware of one that is a direct fit for the ZF. I compared it with my Lakewood for the 69 and the bolt flange is different on the trans.

No doubt since you are going FIRST class on your engine project that your final price tag will make mine look like chump change. You are building the ultimate street small block.

Judging by the power that the 90 is pushing now, you are going to have a grin on your face for months after you break that puppy in. I just hope you can figure out how to get some traction.
 
69MyWay said:
I just hope you can figure out how to get some traction.

I just hope I don't continue here and go all the friggin' way to full-on race car! This stuff is addicting!! :L

One thing though, I am learning more than I ever knew before about engine building. ;)
 
I almost forgot; I stopped at another shop today (Dick Wagoner Dyno) to ask Jeff something, and also because every time I'm there, there is usually something "hot" on the premises, and sure enough there was a 1970 Plymouth 'Cuda in the bay with the hood up.

It was so gorgeous that, believe it or not, I didn't even look that close at the engine, except to notice the "six-pack" sitting on top of it. ;)

Blue hardtop with a black interior. It's for sale at $30,000, and has been appraised at $38,000.

An absolutely beautiful restoration, unless it was all-original, and that is a possibility, given the fact that this is after all, southern California. That and the fact that it had only recently pulled out of storage for this sale.

And wouldn't you know that although I had my camera with me, I was so overtaken with awe at this gorgeous machine that I completely forgot to take any pictures. :o

Maybe it'll still be there tomorrow. ;)

_ken :w
 
Oops! One more thing...

I stopped at the Chevy dealer too, and when I was there last week, I dropped off a dozen, maybe two dozen, flyers for the CACC.

The next day when I returned to pick up the part I had ordered, all of the flyers were gone, so I dropped off some more and tacked one to their bulletin board in the hall. I also made it clear to whoever it was at the time (I can't remember now), that if the flyers were just getting thrown in the trash, I would appreciate it if he'd let me know so that I wouldn't waste my time and paper leaving them there.

He said "no problem", and even put them in a place in front of some other Chevy info. He and the parts man before him each took one of the flyers for themselves.

When I was there today, all of the flyers were gone again, so I tacked one to the bulletin board again, and told Jose (the first parts man I talked to about these flyers) to let me know if and when they need some more.

Hopefully these things are going to some use and not just the trash. It doesn't make sense, even to me, to keep throwing paper away if that is what is happening. Gets expensive. ;)

_ken :w
 
Gyday Ken
The photos you've shown are of some really tuff parts, I bet you are enjoying the performance buildup. I know I did when I put together a little ol' 350 for my '79, its great fun. I'm still having a few teething problems with mine but I havn't finished wrestling with it by a long shot. Some of my friends think I secretly like it when things go wrong on my Corvette 'cause I um get to touch it. But yeah I love it , and keep up the good work.
Oh yeah, about the flyers(?). I am an electrician and often print up flyers and leave them on the customer service counter at the local electricity suppliers. One day I went to some peoples house to do some work, I asked them how they got my phone number and they refered to the flyer from the electricity suppliers office. What I noticed next was they had taken about 20 flyers and were using the other side as note paper! I told a mate of mine about it he is a landscape designer and he suggested printing on both sides of the flyer. That'll get 'em every time!
Dave M
 
Hey, thanks for the tip Dave. I'll start printing 'em two-sided. :upthumbs

Ya know? I stated the other day that "...this stuff is addicting." ;)

I know that by now, if you add up the investment I have in a 1987 Corvette, I could have a brand-spankin' new one sitting in my garage instead. But, as I've said since the beignning of this project, this is my obsession, and I am fulfilling a simmering desire to build my own "hot rod". Something that has been largely ignored since around 1968. :(

So rather than purchase a new Corvette, or even maybe a couple of other generations to go along with my C4, I decided to build my very own "Highway Star". :gap

I guess I'm feeling guilty about spending so much; I wasn't raised to spend my money so frivolously. :L

_ken :w
 
Dave M said:
Gyday Ken
Some of my friends think I secretly like it when things go wrong on my Corvette 'cause I um get to touch it. !
Dave M

I think they're on to you Dave. :L

Tom
 
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