My build thread.. 63 LS powered C10

[Super73]

Marv,

It is somewhat budget related, honestly. The AFR 225's that I had were essentially brand new. I put maybe 1,000 miles on them. A buddy wanted them and I wanted a different set of heads (slightly bigger runner, bigger valve, flow about 10% more air). I sold my AFR's and bought my current heads and cam used for slightly less money than what my AFR's sold for. So it basically was a wash. I was however in the hole slightly with having to buy new head and intake gaskets. But talking minor out of pocket.

With this recent round of head work, well, I now have more in to a used set of heads than if I would have bought them new with the upgraded guides, light weight valves and new springs (springs I bought come on the heads new, old owner put new springs on but a lesser spring).

So, I had budget in mind. We all know poop happens. Live and learn I suppose.

The solid rollers I have will not work in my block as the oil gallies changed in 2001. I reused the ones that were in my old 347, sr's would cost me $600-$800.

Adjustable rockers range for $600 to $1500, and we both know I would probably buy on the higher side.

Ned a different pushrod (which I am buying now).

Buy a cam.

See, I have a budget build
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[BigDan3131]

I think you are on a budget, you buy something then shortly after using it you turn around and sell it for nearly no loss. Kind of like buying a suit for a funeral then returning it the next day.

[tinydb84]

Great build! Im in San Jose and hope to do a LS swap soon as well

[BigDan3131]

Hey its been two months...any updates or are you like the rest of us, just swamped at work?

[Super73]

Work, new house, playing 5-6 gigs a month between 2 bands and a 19 week pregnant wife.

Good news is I have everything I need to put it back together. Just need to clean the block, lifters, double check the new bearing and put it together.

Today I was busy framing a 21x11 shed I am building.
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[BigDan3131]

So its either sleep or work on your truck? I would take sleep too...

[shortbed70]

Originally Posted by Super73

Work, new house, playing 5-6 gigs a month between 2 bands and a 19 week pregnant wife.

Good news is I have everything I need to put it back together. Just need to clean the block, lifters, double check the new bearing and put it together.

Today I was busy framing a 21x11 shed I am building.
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Congrats on the wife, mines 17 weeks so I understand that... Can't wait to see this thing go again!
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[Super73]

Thanks Troy, congrats to you as well.

We have been trying for the last couple years, had two miscarriges. Our offer was excepted on the house and 2-3 days later Danielle said she thought she was pregnant again. I think someone up stairsfigured we needed a house of our own to raise the little one in.
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[Super73]

Well, measured bearings tonight. Even though they are the same under/over rods are ever so slightly "looser" than the used bearing. Talking .002 and the mains are ever so slightly tighter than the used, .0005-.001..

I am ok with that.

My brother in law is coming to help me around the house thu-sun. Perhaps when we are done with house work, we can enjoy a beer or two and get this motor together during the evening. Would be awesome if it ran by Sunday night. No promises.
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[noonzor]

Originally Posted by Super73

Well, measured bearings tonight. Even though they are the same under/over rods are ever so slightly "looser" than the used bearing. Talking .002 and the mains are ever so slightly tighter than the used, .0005-.001..

I am ok with that.

My brother in law is coming to help me around the house thu-sun. Perhaps when we are done with house work, we can enjoy a beer or two and get this motor together during the evening. Would be awesome if it ran by Sunday night. No promises.
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promise accepted. haha

[Super73]

Good thing I did not promise, got nothing done on the truck but got a good amount done on the house. Four 10 hour days for myself and my brother in law plus a full sat for a second brother in law and 9 hours today for a friend. Got a lot accomplished, but still a ton of work to do on the deck and the 11x21 shed.
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[Super73]

Minus installing valve springs, the heads got done tonight. Checked valve spring heights, shimmed to correct and put seals in. I ordered a new spring compressor to install the springs. My current one is home made and requires the heads to be on the block. Shipping from Reno so might be lucky enough to finish the heads this weekend.

Planning on prepping the block this weekend so I can put it together next week after work.

The 2" primary headers I have on order, hope they fit and should be here in roughly 4 weeks.
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[Super73]

Ok, I found a few more minutes..

Block and crank have been thoroughly cleaned.
New main bearings installed and crank set in the block. Still need to torque it down.
Got my new spring compressor and had to modify it slightly to work with the aftermarket heads.
One head is completely done.
Gathered up more of my parts to be somewhat organized in the chaotic mess of a garage.

Will most likely finish up the other head today and won't touch things again until either Sunday night or Monday. Got to get back out there and load my buddies dump trailer with my piles of rubbish from the old deck.
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[Super73]

Got both heads done late last week.
Got the pistons and rods in this evening.
Torqued the mains and rods down.

If I have time after dinner I will clean out my lifters and set them in oil. Those are my hold up for putting the top end together.
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[tinydb84]

Originally Posted by Super73

Got both heads done late last week.
Got the pistons and rods in this evening.
Torqued the mains and rods down.

If I have time after dinner I will clean out my lifters and set them in oil. Those are my hold up for putting the top end together.
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Pics????

[Super73]

Short of the:
Motor plate
Water Pump
Crank Pulley
Flex plate

The motor is ready to go in. I have decided it will be running by the end of this weekend.weekender?
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[shortbed70]

Can't wait to hear it sing!!!
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[Super73]

Soooo close.

Radiator needs to go in
Need to bolt down the carb spacer and throttle body but linkage is done
Put fuel in it
Put the wideband back in
Tighten the rockers
bolt down valve covers
install coil packs

About 1-2 hours of work left.
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[shortbed70]

What headers are you running on your truck and how was the fit
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[Marv D]

Originally Posted by Super73

Soooo close.

bla bla bla bla bla bla bla!

Ya know I'm starting to wonder if Shaun even OWNS the truck any more. There hasn't been a picture in 1/2 a year!! I don't know about this guy,,, he's like those girls that just tease tease tease and never show you anything interesting....

[Super73]

Edelbrock 1 3/4 stepped to 1 7/8. I am hoping the new 2010 Camaro 2" ones that I have on order will fit.


Marv, it's not like there is much "new" on the truck. Other than the vacuum pump, the engine bay will look the same until I get a new set of headers. Don't worry, a video will be coming soon.
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[Super73]

Fired on e85.
Has a small fuel leak that was not noticeable until running with constant fuel pressure.
Tune needs a little adjustment regarding AFR.
Electric water pump needs to be wired.
Catch can for the vacuum pump needs to get mounted.
Other than that, a few miles and to the dyno we go.
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[Super73]

Ok, truck is on the trailer and I am headed to the dyno this afternoon. But what a bad start to my morning...

I use my wife's trailblazer SS to tow my car trailer. It was parked up on our hill where I have cut a narrow dirt road. Attached to it is my little 5x9 utility trailer. As I am backing it down the hil and around the corner there is a crunch and the truck stops dead in its track. I was looking over my right shoulder to back up the trailer and I know better, I should have been using my mirrors. I did not see the 67 Vert Lincoln i have parked. The 67's bumper caught me right where the door and fender meet on the TBSS. Not happy with myself.
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[Super73]

What a crapy day...

Obviously the TBSS issue was a good start.

Get to the dyno and the tune is pig rich on the 1st pull.

2nd pull lean it out a bit and look at the vacuum gauge and it looks like it is pulling 14ish inches, made a little more power but still super fat.

3rd pulled leaned it out a little, go WOT and a plum of smoke from the engine bay. Felt fine and figured it was just the vacuum pump pulling oil mist from the crank case. Not quite. Get out and the vacuum pump belt looks half melted. Pull the belt off and the vacuum pump doesn't rotate. Pull the fittings out and notice one was just a bit too deep and tore up all 4 vanes. There is money going in to a rebuild.

Pulls 4-9 lean it out and add a pinch of timing in it. Get to a point where i don't want to put more timing in it and feel comfortable with the AFR but power is not what I am expecting. Lst dyno made 546rwhp (dyno dynamics) and today I am at 476rwhp on a Dynojet.

Pull 10 I decided to try these new plug wires I got. Granatelli has a video on LS1tech where a wire swap on a blown 2010 Camaro made 20rwhp, put the stockers back on and lost 20rwhp. I laughed about it, but figured they have a lifetime warranty, look decent and are double wrapped in burn resistant material. Sure enough, more than 20rwhp under the curve and 20rwhp at peak. 495rwhp.

Pulls 11-12 I left everything alone but uncorked it. Thought maybe that is where my missing power is. Never before have I lost power uncorked, including tq under the curve. Even last time dyno'ing this same motor with same exhaust. I can't believe my eyes, lost 25-30rwhp on both pulls.

Pull 13 I corked it again through the really crappy exhaust and my power came back. How can 3" necked down to 2.5" through turbo muffles make more? I can't figure it out.

So.. Dyno to dyno, I am down 51hp. Only good thing is it carried power better, it doesn't fall off a cliff at 6,700. I will try and get a pic up soon.
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[Super73]

Not the best pic, but here is the comparison on the wire swap.



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