Phlebmaster's 1972 C20 Evolution***56k- NO WAY!

[Phlebmaster]

I started the tear down of my new block tonight. I documented each step so this will hopefully be helpful to the next guy.

I also picked up 2 sets of 350 heads and will install them on the new block rather than the 305 heads I am running now. I now have 4 sets of heads, the 305 heads in my truck now, the 896 power pack corvette heads, a set of cracked 487 heads,(good for parts), and a rebuilt set of 624 heads with 1.94/1.50 valves.







Here is a bad picture of the crack that runs from the exhaust valve...


Here are the power pack heads...


Here are the rebuilt 624 heads that I will use on the new block.

[Phlebmaster]

Here are the pics of the 350 tear down......And so it begins... lol



Dished 4 valve relief pistons...meh






This looks as it should for an engine that sat for a long time. The stuff is only surface and wiped off easily.


Main bearings are not too bad



Got everything marked and lined up....



I even remembered to mark the main caps before removing them.

[Phlebmaster]

Progress!!

Honed the cylinders and degreased the block then painted it. I will rent the cam bearing tool and do some research on how to use it. I also did some block modification based on my research to aid the oil return process and oil flow efficiency from the pump.

Here are the obligatory pics......

These are required texts for this project...thanks Paul!


Put a set of junk heads on so I can protect the cylinders



Opened up the oil return holes in the block.


It did not take much to open both sides up.


Here is the rear main cap where the oil pump mounts...I opened the pick-up tube port up and smoothed out the oil path.

Before...


After...

[Phlebmaster]

I also painted the lifter valley...why you ask? Well from what I read it benefits the oil return by decreasing surface tension and allowing the oil to return to the pan much faster. It also looks pretty. I used high temp engine enamel so don't worry about that.

[70jnktrk]

Great pictures and the running/up to date progress reports are cool to read...Nice work!

[eagleuh1]

That will be a neat surprise for a future owner to open up his engine and see the inside painted. Never seen that done before. looking good.

[70k52wd]

I have dial up and just realized what the 56k no way means...You ain't kiddin...

[Phlebmaster]

Originally Posted by 70k52wd

I have dial up and just realized what the 56k no way means...You ain't kiddin...

A picture speaks a thousand words....which is good because my typing skills aren't that great.

Originally Posted by eagleuh1

That will be a neat surprise for a future owner to open up his engine and see the inside painted. Never seen that done before. looking good.

My daughters will be the next owner of my truck so I have to make it pretty.

Thanks for the comments.

[eagleuh1]

It'd look purty all painted pink. Besides, with that kind of attention to detail, they'd never have to open her back up. Good work.

[Phlebmaster]

Originally Posted by eagleuh1

It'd look purty all painted pink. Besides, with that kind of attention to detail, they'd never have to open her back up. Good work.

If she had her way....... Pink with flaming bunnies!! My girls watched too much Monty Python.

Thanks for the compliments.

[Phlebmaster]

I am gathering the parts and supplies needed to do this engine right.

Here is my list of what I have:

Hyper Lube assy oil

Moly assy grease

New oil filter

New lifters

New push rods

New timing set

New cam

Rebuilt 350 heads- Thanks to everyone's advice...even Ticker's

Block is honed and cleaned and painted with high temp engine paint.

What I need to get:


Re-ring kit that includes gaskets and bearings...etc...

Piston ring compressor tool for putting in the new rings.

Plastic gauge- and patience with learning how to use it.

I will document the whole process as I assemble the new block and post another video.

I still have to pull a couple of parts from my old block, such as the new water pump I just installed, the fuel pump, and the accessories. I will be upgrading my distributor to the HEI at that time so I will be re-wiring a 12 volt supply from the fuse block. I will ground it to the block.

[Phlebmaster]

I finished prepping the block last night by cleaning the paint from the mating surfaces, and did a quick once over on my 350 heads. I will be ditching the 305 heads....keeping my eyes open for a set of better heads down the road.


Everything is waiting on funds for the re-ring kit and a few little items.

[Phlebmaster]

Picked up a better carburetor.

I traded a set of heads for an Edelbrock performer intake and 625 CFM Edelbrock carburetor. This will replace my 500 CFM carb I am running now.

Here are the obligatory pictures....lol







Here are the 350 heads I will be using...


I can't wait to get this thing rumbling!!

[Phlebmaster]

I put the carb on my truck tonight and I am impressed! I put on an extra 125 CFM and boy does it make a difference! My other Edelbrock is a 500 CFM and the carb I put on is a 625 CFM.

[73chevyman]

I'm impressed with everything ur doing the painting were the oil lies scares me due to fact if it don't hold up it will get into ur parts and possibly start problems. looks great awsome build

[Phlebmaster]

Originally Posted by 73chevyman

I'm impressed with everything ur doing the painting were the oil lies scares me due to fact if it don't hold up it will get into ur parts and possibly start problems. looks great awsome build

Thanks!

You are right about the paint. I was a bit concerned about that too, but I made sure I cleaned the block very well and used the correct type of paint. I have scrubbed on the paint with a brillo pad and it seems to be stuck on there pretty well.

[Phlebmaster]

I picked up an old school LT1 intake today!! The engine is getting close to being ready. I test fitted the HEI because I had an idea that there might be clearance issues, and there are. I don't know if I will be able to shim the distributor the 1/4" it needs to clear the top of the rear runner.

[nuke1]

Looks great, as for shimming the distributer that is a bad idea, you loos contact with the oil pump shaft, there would be less contact btn them and the distributer will not mesh as well with the cam, if anything find an old points distributer and put a pertronix ignitor in it, you do not want problems now after all that hard work you have just done.

[70k52wd]

If you could find a mallory unilite for cheap, that would solve your clearance issue also.

[Phlebmaster]

I have pulled the intake off of my engine in my truck to verify that the crack is indeed leaking. I will be picking up the re-ring kit next weekend and assembling my new block.

[Phlebmaster]

I decided to get rid of the HEI because I would rather use my new intake. So I traded it....for a almost brand new set of 350 heads that were run an a rock crawler with a 490 lift cam. These heads are set up for a large cam which is good since I have a fairly large one.

Here are the GM Goodwrench valve covers, I am going to use them.


I decided to paint them....even though they did not need it.






Painted the valve covers too. lol






I got a reground crankshaft too. Mine old one was beyond just throwing a new set of bearings and running it. I guess it is better to do it right the first time.


Last but not least...I chased all of the threads on my new block and heads. It is just a good idea

I can't wait to get this beast up and running!!

[Phlebmaster]

I finally broke down an purchased a brand new Weiand Stealth intake. This is new technology vs the old school C3BX Z28 style intake I had planed to use.



This intake seems taller than the other intake too.

[Phlebmaster]

I picked up the re-ring kit with new mains today from Napa and $134.00 later I have my engine ready to go!



I really like my new intake!!


Got the crank set in.....


Pistons layed out in order....


Lots of assy lube!!....everywhere hehehe


It took some time for me to get the rings on


I checked the gap.


Yay bearings!!




It was finally looking like an engine again.

[Phlebmaster]

I put the timing gears in and verified the timing was set where it needs to be to get the engine started.


Speaking of dog bones...I had a little helper. :-)




I adjusted the valves according to my Chiltons manual.


Now I just need to get my old engone out and put the finishing touches on this beast so I can get it into my truck.

[nuke1]

Looks Great, can not wait to see it installed into the truck, should be a decent runner!!!!