Alrightee folks, we are going to start one of those threads we like best... advise on building an engine and witnessing someone do it.
The L-46 Corvette originally came with a jolly 350HP/370TQ plant, with enough vacuum to run wiper door, headlights and power brakes. I want to match this or slightly improve. Gone are my drag racing days. This is an homage restoration to the original motor's performance and it will be a weekend cruiser. (My wife needs to be able to drive it too )
Sadly, L-46 plan is gone... but the replacement (nothing-special) looks in reasonable shape. It seems to have good oil pressure and good compression. The heads guides may be tired: the vacuum reading has a flicker and I get a puff of blue smoke on start up. The freeze plugs look solid. I replaced the cam with a GM off-the-shelf (it was free). I do hear a nasty ticking sound that sounds like a lifter gone bad... which is odd because they are all new.
The heads are 882s. The block is an 0014.
The intake is an Edelbrock EPS. The carb is well... actually a Fi-Tech EFI . Ignition is an no-brand HEI distributor with MSD coil and CDI box.
I once peaked underneath the pan... an it looked reasonable, other than one nut that was a different color that the others.
The only issue I have is that somebody screwed up heli-coiling two timing chain cover bolt holes. That seems relatively minor as issue.
Like all of us I want to keep costs down as I pursue 350/370.
I like the idea of a refresh with new, aluminum heads. I suspect there is not much I can do with the 882s.
As I said - I do want to drive this fellow till November (save my nickels and dimes ad interim). Right now seems a good time to assess what is possible with what I have.
Anyway... those are my thoughts. What are yours ? Anything I should examine on this engine as I consider a refresh ?
The L-46 Corvette originally came with a jolly 350HP/370TQ plant, with enough vacuum to run wiper door, headlights and power brakes. I want to match this or slightly improve. Gone are my drag racing days. This is an homage restoration to the original motor's performance and it will be a weekend cruiser. (My wife needs to be able to drive it too )
Sadly, L-46 plan is gone... but the replacement (nothing-special) looks in reasonable shape. It seems to have good oil pressure and good compression. The heads guides may be tired: the vacuum reading has a flicker and I get a puff of blue smoke on start up. The freeze plugs look solid. I replaced the cam with a GM off-the-shelf (it was free). I do hear a nasty ticking sound that sounds like a lifter gone bad... which is odd because they are all new.
The heads are 882s. The block is an 0014.
The intake is an Edelbrock EPS. The carb is well... actually a Fi-Tech EFI . Ignition is an no-brand HEI distributor with MSD coil and CDI box.
I once peaked underneath the pan... an it looked reasonable, other than one nut that was a different color that the others.
The only issue I have is that somebody screwed up heli-coiling two timing chain cover bolt holes. That seems relatively minor as issue.
Like all of us I want to keep costs down as I pursue 350/370.
I like the idea of a refresh with new, aluminum heads. I suspect there is not much I can do with the 882s.
As I said - I do want to drive this fellow till November (save my nickels and dimes ad interim). Right now seems a good time to assess what is possible with what I have.
Anyway... those are my thoughts. What are yours ? Anything I should examine on this engine as I consider a refresh ?