AJ's '72 Cruiser Crawler Build

[AJs72K5]

UPDATE 06/07/09: Getting back in the game.

I've been quietly searching for an engine to build to replace the purple 454. I found a smokin deal on racingjunk for everything to build the engine except the heads. Picked it all up today.



Here's the basics:
BBC 454 bored 30 over
Flat top pistons
Erson Cam (288 duration, 492 lift)

I've decided on a set of Edelbrock Performer or Performer RPM aluminum heads. 110cc chamber. This will put the compression right at 9.5:1. Now I just need to find a good set.

Time to start building...

[Yukon Jack]

Nice new parts!

[Burt4x4]

Yummy! Now you're REALLY gonna love your rig!

[AJs72K5]

UPDATE 8/28/09: Time to get to work. Works been keeping me super busy lately and the K5 has been neglected. I made a slight direction change on the engine after finally unloading all of the old engine and miscellaneous parts I had laying around. I just placed the "big order" with Summit today. Here's the final specs I'm going with:

Block: GM 2 bolt BBC 454 bore .030 over

Rotating assembly: GM cast crank, Speedpro flat top pistons (3cc eyebrows)

Cam: Comp Hydraulic Roller... yes a roller! (CL11-412-8.... advertised duration 266 In/276 Ex, lift 485 In/485 Ex, lobe sep 112*), Comp roller lifters (included in the comp kit), Comp adjustable timing chain (cam timing adjustable to 1/4*)

Heads: Edelbrock Performer High Compression aluminum cylinder heads...100cc semi-open combustion chamber

Induction: Edelbrock Proflo MPFI fuel injection kit


With the flattops and the heads, compression should work out to just about 10:1. I bumped up compression a bit since I'll be running aluminum heads. If CamQuest 6 is at all accurate, I should end up with this:




Big pic can be seen --> here

Already made a date with my engine builder friend to start on the bottom end of the engine next weekend....FINALLY!

[Burt4x4]

Aw man yer gonna love that 454 power
Mine is about 450HP 550tq @ 9:2 comp
Sooo much fun!!!!

[AJs72K5]

Thanks Burt. I'll have a ton of questions for you when it's time to run everything for the fuel injection.

[Burt4x4]

I hope I can help, once you get it running take your rig to a Dyno. They can tune your air/fuel mix so NOT to burn up your investment. The Lean & Rich gauge is just a Green & Red LED and I had mine way too lean and the dyno guy said if ran like that in time it would burn up..
So thats my advice on getting the FI tuned.
I have all my Pro-Flo settings writen down so if you eveer need um I got um

[AJs72K5]

Your settings may be a good starting point, but yeah, was gonna have the smart guys help tune it. I was talking more along the lines of where/how to run the fuel return line, etc.

[Burt4x4]

Cool man, I'll be here

[AJs72K5]

Stayed home from work today because I wasn't feeling good....until Mr. Brown showed up with my new heads, a few sets of ARP bolts, and the new brake prop valve.



My wife told me to "get my Christmas morning on". So, I had to open one of them up.

[Burt4x4]

SEX-E!!!!!!!!!!

[vtblazer]

Hey the title changed or sumthin'


Sweet new parts brother!

[AJs72K5]

Originally Posted by vtblazer

Hey the title changed or sumthin'


Sweet new parts brother!

Yeah, I had the title changed. The more I thought about it lately, the more that "pavement pounder" implied mall crawler to me. Can't have that now, can we?

[BLUE THUNDER]

dude, love the parts and the direction of the build. good luck.

[Chevy1TonFun]

Great build man. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

[AJs72K5]

UPDATE 09/07/09 - Engine building: Labor day, and man, I labored. I learned a ton from my engine builder buddy....he made sure to point out all the different ways things can get jacked up as we went. My brain definately feels heavier now. We completed the long block today.

The first hour or so of the day was cleaning and prepping parts. Here's the rotating assembly all laid out on the bench.



Clean block with the main studs installed



Main caps, main bearings, and crank installed



Fitting rings and putting in rod bearings



Pistons installed. Rotating assembly and short block complete. Tightening down the oil pump.



Edelbrock heads installed and torqued down....long block complete. The intake is just sitting there to keep the engine closed up. Same applies to the pan and timing cover



Wrapped up until next weekend



I'm definately happy with what we got done today. Once the cam and lifter set comes in, we'll put the cam in and degree it. Then put on the intake, and button up the timing cover and oil pan.

[vtblazer]

Drool!


There's absolutely nothing like building your own motor!


How much more HP do you think you'll have over the last one?

[AJs72K5]

The last one couldn't even chirp the tires. It had too many internal issues. According to CamQuest, this one should make 520HP @ 5000 and 580TQ @ 4000. It's obviously gonna be a much better built motor....cuz I did it

[Burt4x4]

Hold on Hold on! Drapes in a man space window?? Man o man, I know your wife made you doit right!

heheheh Just messin

Thanks for sharing! I'm lovin it!

[AJs72K5]

Time out!!!! That's my buddy's man space. In pic #2, those are all motorcycle engines on the shelf....and under the table...that's what's left of the blown nitro engine for his top fuel drag bike.

[Burt4x4]

hahaha well tell him they look nice

Coffee drivin harrasment I suppose
Keep us posted

[AJs72K5]

No progress these past two weeks. Work had me traveling the past week. Pretty much as soon as I got back, I left for the weekend to go dove hunting...Dad and I did pretty well considering the drought in South Texas this summer.

Cam and hydraulic roller lifters arrived this week. I'm hoping to get them in the engine and button up the engine next weekend.





I still need headers and am on the fence as to what to do about my gas tank....more to come.

[Burt4x4]

Yummy! very close to the Comp cam I used, I didn't go roller though. Sometimes I wonder what the difference would be on that? I drove my K5 around the 'hood' this weekend. Fun stuff thease 454s
Good Times even if I am just picking up dinner hahaha

[AJs72K5]

Originally Posted by Burt4x4

Yummy! very close to the Comp cam I used, I didn't go roller though. Sometimes I wonder what the difference would be on that? I drove my K5 around the 'hood' this weekend. Fun stuff thease 454s
Good Times even if I am just picking up dinner hahaha

Roller equals more power due to less friction on the tappets. And with less friction, it'll be far less likely to go flat on me. I also have a better chance of reusing the rollers if I ever change cams. Getting closer....

[Arizonak5]

one day when i have $$ i will build the same thing :::::::::::::::sigh:::::::::::::: being broke sucks!