Thread: Engine Advice!!!!
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10-27-2012 03:44 PM #1
Engine Advice!!!!
I recently acquired a 1971 Chevelle from my dad!!!! The engine sounds real good but I think the combination of parts are hurting the engine more than they are helping. I built the engine when I was 18 (12 yrs ago) and didn't have the first clue as to what I was doing. Dad knew how to put an engine together so that is exactly what we did. Now at I look back at some parts I used and I think we made a few mistakes. The engine block is a 1980 - 1985 350sbc Casting number 14010207 bored .40 over. The heads are Vortec Heads Casting number 12558062 (milled), The intake is a Edelbrock Performer 2116. The carb is a Edelbrock Performer 1406. The cam is a Crane Cam with a 516 lift (I think the lift is way to high for these heads). Stock 350 crank that I had checked by a machine shop. I don't remember the brand of pistons but I do remember they were flat top style and a compression ratio of like 10:1. The reason I think the cam lift is to big is because I have bent a couple pushrods in the engine and I read on a website where the heads were only rated for like a 470 lift or something like that (I could be wrong on that). I plan to go back through this engine and try and get all the right parts that I need to produce the best HP.
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10-27-2012 03:49 PM #2
Maybe have some pistons clunking the valves???? Curious to see what you find inside. Cams have changed considerably over the years, so many good grinds on the market now, and should you go to a hydraulic roller things can even get better!!!
Welcome to CHR, good having you here, put up some pics of your Chevelle someday, been in the family for quite awhile!!!! Heck, I don't even keep wives that long!!!!Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, Live for Today!
Carroll Shelby
Learning must be difficult for those who already know it all!!!!
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10-27-2012 03:59 PM #3
Hey Dave, thanks for the quick response. The engine fires right up and idles good. The only problem is from time to time it will bend a pushrod so I thinking the lift on the cam is to much for the heads. I'm not sure what you mean by " the pistons clunking the valves". I just added a photo to the garage section of this forum, go check it out and let me know what you think!! The interior is in bad shape but it wouldn't be a project car if I had nothing to do to it right!
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10-27-2012 04:01 PM #4
Push rods being to long could hold valves open long enough for pistons to hit them.Charlie
Lovin' what I do and doing what I love
Some guys can fix broken NO ONE can fix STUPID
W8AMR
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Christian in training
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10-27-2012 04:05 PM #5
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10-27-2012 04:10 PM #6
I want to pull the engine to have some head work done and while I have it out I want to change out some parts to maximize the horse power I can get from the engine. I am wanting to port the heads and change out the valve springs, adds some new lifters and rocker arms. I want to keep the block and heads but may change out the cam, intake, carb and pistons if this will help me. Just looking for some guidance from people with more experience on this subject than myself.
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10-28-2012 10:09 AM #7
intake or exhaust pushrod ?iv`e used up all my sick days at work .. can i call in dead ?
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10-28-2012 12:49 PM #8
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10-27-2012 04:10 PM #9
does this happen after a few wide open throttle blasts ? .. normal driving for 12 years shouldn`t cause a bent pushrod . or i mean a bent pushrod or two over 12 years does`nt mean a problem is there ..iv`e used up all my sick days at work .. can i call in dead ?
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10-27-2012 04:12 PM #10
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10-27-2012 04:14 PM #11
Probably a bit of valve float at higher rpm's and or the lifters are pumping up and closing the distance on piston to valve clearance.Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, Live for Today!
Carroll Shelby
Learning must be difficult for those who already know it all!!!!
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10-27-2012 04:23 PM #12
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10-27-2012 04:20 PM #13
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10-27-2012 04:39 PM #14
Very nice looking Chevelle!
When you have the engine apart, checking piston to valve clearance, coil bind, pushrod length and many other things are all part of the mock-up prior to final assembly.....Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, Live for Today!
Carroll Shelby
Learning must be difficult for those who already know it all!!!!
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10-27-2012 04:48 PM #15
[QUOTE=Dave Severson;478693]Very nice looking Chevelle!
Thanks!!! I was very excited when dad told me to take it home with me!
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