My Cam Research for the Experts Eye

[Indycars]

Alt sits in front of head/valve cover so nowhere for it to move back unless I reconfigure all brackets.

So I guess you are saying that the back of the alternator would hit the head if you tried to move it back. Seems your only option to get away from the 3rd pulley groove would be to move the alternator such that it can move back, it either up or down. I'm using a short water pump and two groove pulleys. The photo shows the alternator aligning with the first groove. This is an old photo, I now have two grooves for all, pump, crank and alternator.


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[TXChevy]

Exactly! What I may do is get aluminum pulleys for a bit less weight and stay with long pump setup.I guess I'll stay with the 7 3/4 balancer pulley vs smaller which would underdrive everything.

 

[Indycars]

OK, but what will you do with the alternator if you cannot move it back with the cylinder head in the way ? UP or DOWN ?

For some small pocket change you could go serpentine belt by March.

Home page

marchperformance.com

 

[TXChevy]

I was considering ICT alternator bracket that leaves it in the same place.
ICT
Stock bbc has a large alt bracket at the top that's sturdy but has to attach thru front corner intake bolt. I'd rather not do that.
Only accessory is an alternator, no power steering.
I will look at March, etc to get a good idea of my options before buying anything, thanks.

Edit - I ordered aluminum pulleys from CVF, nice cnc machining, alt bracket from ICT, and Gates hi flow long water pump (simply has the plate added to the impeller). This should get the front stuff done and I can move on.
I was also looking at the RPM intake again and may spring the dough for it, there's almost an exact match to the head ports. My Performer intake is .4" shorter at the port height which I think is too much and not readily adaptable for porting as that will thin the casting too much.

Edit 2: I went ahead and ordered the Edelbrock RPM 7161 intake. Amazon had a price drop that I couldn't resist in today's high price world. So today was parts ordering day lol.

 

[Grumpy]

theres always options, thats why I purchased a MILLING MACHINE,
(which I unfortunately was forced to sell, when moving to texas)

Powermaster 8-410 Powermaster Pro Series Alternator Kits | Summit Racing

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March Performance 40010-09 March Performance Ultra Series Billet Aluminum Alternator Brackets | Summit Racing

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RACEMATE :: Permanent Magnet Alternators & Water Pumps

No Place To Mount Alternator In Engine Compartment ???

Grumpy I mounted a 871 super charger on my 427 BBC engine in my 1968 Camaro I have a direct drive manual fuel pump for the old style injection that mounts on the front of the timing cover, and an ignition that uses the front damper and a magnetic contact wheel behind the damper, similar too...

garage.grumpysperformance.com

your only limited by your potential lack of imagination, skills and tools like a drill press and welder
,or what you can design and draw plans for, that your local machine shop can build for you
that might make acquiring custom mount brackets , spacers, adapters etc. and associated parts hard to fabricate!
just because a parts not easy to buy off the shelf for your particular application, in no way limits what you can build/fabricate or use.

 

[TXChevy]

Hi Grumpy, yes I can pretty much fabricate anything I need and have often done so. In this case I liked the ICT setup so I went with that.
If it was just the engine build alone I might have taken the time to make my own brackets but buying a decent quality set gives me time to continue on the car itself. Still have a lot to do to just get the engine and running.
I've got front/rear engine mounts that I made (no side mounts) so I didn't want to lower the alternator position.

 

[Indycars]

Should you just face it and agree it's going to be next year before you drive this fine 57 Chevy ??? Take the time to build it like it should be ???

I had to face that question several years back ............ I'm just asking ?

 

[TXChevy]

I think it will be a driver this year, but I learned a long time ago that a hobby is enjoyable if you don't try to make it fit into timeframes.
Actually the overall progress has been pretty good considering everything is getting re-done. And I've not cut corners on the engine or the car.
The time spent has been worth it!

 

[T-Test]

Projects like these teach you that you learn something new every day.
Knowledge is power. And no one can take it from you.

Except Alzheimer's and brain farts, which I have daily.

 

[TXChevy]

I'm so glad I first posted my cam questions - I definitely still don't know a lot, but I've learned a lot.
I reasonably expect a running engine in the car, meaning I'll have fuel and electrical, gauges done to support it. I still need to rebuild the th400 as a progress milestone. I'm familiar with these older 3 speeds but still takes time.
Suspension and rest of drive line are done, IF engine is good and IF transmission is good lol that will be ready for first drive. Interior is the least of my concern. I've already modified floor and bracing for bucket seats so I won't need a bucket to drive it

 

[TXChevy]

Here's the setup for the alternator, parts look of good quality.


RPM intake


CVF cnc aluminum pulleys - very nice pieces

 

[Indycars]

I thought you wanted to get away from the 3 groove pulley on the crank ?

 

[TXChevy]

At first look yes I did. But a further look showed that the alt couldn't be shifted further back without moving it up or down. I didn't want to do that.
With the alt in current position I need to use the 2 groove wp pulley and the 3 groove crank pulley. Belt rides on outer groove of both in order to match alt pulley. This is all with a long water pump.
I know it all fits because that's what was in it before. When I found these nice quality aluminum pulleys it let me install some lighter pulleys but keep the same arrangement.
If I went to short water pump or moving alt it changes a number of things without any real advantage. Plus there's a possible interference with control arm if I were to move alt down and back.

 

[Indycars]

OK, I see your logic.

 

[TXChevy]

OK, I see your logic.

You have a very good eye for details

 

[TXChevy]

I received the eight 7.5" intake pushrods today, so valvetrain is ready to be assembled.
Actually I've got just about everything to finish engine assembly.

The balancer shaft was in good shape but since the timing gasket kit included a sleeve w sealant, I decided to install it to get a "new" smooth surface. I used my press to push it on, easy to keep it squared up. I then installed it on the crank with a super thin smear of permatex #2 on the shaft ID/key way to avoid a leak. Tightened to 110# with new ARP balancer bolt kit - I really liked this as the bolt extends quite far into the crank, plenty of thread engagement.


Old wp impeller looked good but it's a standard flow pump. I wasn't re-using it.


Newly painted Gates pump has a "P" added to part number to indicate a high flow "Performance" pump, which has a slightly different impeller with a plate added to it. Very reasonable cost for higher flow.


Valvetrain cleaned and oiled. The pushrods were actually very clean to start with but I did them anyway. Rockers and polylocks were fairly dirty - trunions were stiff at first until I got the semi-dry assembly lube out, now nice and smooth. Lifters directions specifically said no solvent so they went straight into the oil bath.

 

[Grumpy]

nice to see progress made

 

[TXChevy]

Valvetrain installed, Morel lifters, Trickflow pushrods, Harland Sharp rollers.




I also double checked that the rocker trunions were correctly orientated for the polylocks.


Unfortunately my M/T valve covers are too short for this setup, so I ordered a set of tall covers.

I'll give the rockers an initial adjustment, then install intake and water pump. I think at that point the engine's ready to go back into the car.

 

[Grumpy]

Ansen 120-1003 Big Block Chevy Valve Cover Spacers

The perfect finishing touch for your engine.

www.speedwaymotors.com

Amazon.com

Valve Spring Cooling via Engine Oil

Grumpy: Read your post on the subject of Valve Spring Cooling with Engine Oil. Thanks VERY MUCH for bringing this to my attention. I have built a SBC 383 stroker going into a 1971 Datsun 240Z. Used a shaft rocker setup, but am uncertain that the trunion is being lubricated via Engine Oil...

garage.grumpysperformance.com

Amazon.com

several options exist, in valve cover spacers, and taller valve covers ,obviously. clearance, quality features, and price varies


http://www.hardin-marine.com/p-12519-bb ... ystem.aspx

related info
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...rect-custom-length-pushrods.14241/#post-72346

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/valve-train-clearances-and-problems.528/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/rocker-push-rod-wear-issues.9815/#post-54088

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ear-articles-you-need-to-read.282/#post-52017

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...d-high-spring-pressures-don-t-work-well.1489/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-pushrods-and-check-info-you-might-need.5931/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/oil-system-mods-that-help.2187/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...e-springs-and-setting-up-the-valve-train.181/

valve cover gaskets

a few things you should know Ive had the best luck with the extra thick synthetic /cork composite mix gaskets http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=FPP%2D1604&autoview=sku http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=FPP%2D1630&autoview=sku...

garage.grumpysperformance.com

oil system mods that help

heres a short list REMEMBER the object or goal in building and maintaining the lubrication system is too maintain a 100% dependable pressurized cooling flow of lubricant to the bearings, rockers,valves etc. obviously use of a high quality synthetic oil that has a higher heat tolerance and that...

garage.grumpysperformance.com

catch can related info

In every engine a small amount of pressurized gases from combustion pressure, during the engines power stroke that's been generated is getting past the rings, as the compression and combustion stroke begins before that cylinder pressure forces the rings out against the cylinder walls. and it...

garage.grumpysperformance.com

valve cover install

Most guys with corvettes stay with the stock valve covers unless forced into swapping , due too clearance issues caused by the need to use roller rockers, stud girdles or other aftermarket valve train accessories. On some corvettes theres serious clearance issues with the windshield wiper motor...

garage.grumpysperformance.com

ICT Billet 551640-5: Valve Cover Spacers for Big Block Chevy - JEGS High Performance

Buy ICT Billet 551640-5 at JEGS: ICT Billet Valve Cover Spacers for Big Block Chevy. Guaranteed lowest price!

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[TXChevy]

Thanks Grumpy, I considered spacers but just decided to get another set of covers at a reasonable cost.
I'll check your info on vc gasket material as well.