Put a new engine in the VETTE!

I've been a little "absent" lately... Here is what I've been working on. :flowers::grin: I'm going to post straight from the Corvette forum, where I've been running a "post diary"... So, bear with me for a few minutes. :stars: I'll have lots of posts in quick succession. :huglove:

..... Stand beeeee.... opcorn:

 

I thought I'd get some ideas on the "concept" for the new engine. I really want to keep it looking vintage, but that actually requires quite a few trick parts to pull that off. The ZZ4, like all the other sbc crate engines, looks pretty plain. Here's a picture:



Normally, I like the black. But, for this application, I'm thinking the original "Engine Orange" paint would be best suited. So, when the engine arrives on Thursday, we are going to wipe it down with enamel reducer and re-spray it with Plexi-Kote in the correct orange. I've asked around, and it seems like it won't hurt anything if we paint the (aluminum) heads... :dontknow: We'll keep the intake manifold unpainted, and we need to buy a new water pump anyway (Corvette requires a "short" neck water pump) so we'll keep that unpainted too.

Next thing that was bothering me was using the factory exhaust manifolds on the new motor. They are not a perfect match, but they do fit, and it would allow me to use the rest of the exhaust that's already there. I didn't think there was any other option besides headers... which I don't want to do. I was poking around and found these Ram's Horn smooth manifolds from Speedway Performance! :rock: They have the correct (d-shaped) design, and the same look as the originals. But, they are supposed to flow WAY better... and they look awesome too, all smoothed out.



Next was the valve covers... :banghead: The crap, stamped vc's that come on the ZZ4 look like ass. They are center bolt, due to the Vortec Heads, so I couldn't modify my finned "Corvette" covers to work. I couldn't find any other designs that I liked.... BUT, when I found the article on the Ram's Horns, they also put on a set of SWEET PML Valve Covers! My jaw dropped when I saw these!



They will even mill holes in the correct place for pcv valves or breathers, if you like. They also cast the windage baffles right in the piece. :congrats:



So... I have a Barry Grant Demon carb coming as well. It's their "crate engine" model, and was designed specifically for the ZZ4 GMPP engine. So, that should go well, and it looks purdy too. An added bonus is the Holley style design (float bowls sit in line with the block) which is more "nostalgia" cool than the EdelCRAP Weber carb I had on there before.







Now, I just need to find a nice polished aluminum air filter housing... But, I'm sure that it's out there, somewhere. :marchmellow: .....

 

Engine is out! :rock: New motor is here! :rock:






Throw-out bearing was ready for just that... it got THROWN OUT!


















Tired old girl...


We'll be masking off the new engine for paint tomorrow... all the rest of the new shiny-goodness should be here by Monday. :rock: Until then, we'll also be detailing and touch-up-painting the engine bay.

 

All masked off and ready to paint! :rock: :burnout:

 

Well.... it's ORANGE! :rock: *cough* shoulda used a mask *cough*

Had to wait for the "fog" to clear from my little quarantine area.





It's humid out... so it's still a little tacky to take off the tape.

 

Here it is with the masking off...

 

Parts have been sandblasted! (Thanks, Brian... and Cessna/Citation... lol )




Also, installed the new Muncie Side-Cover from AGE...



This "trick" side-cover has new, beefier, linkage arms and a whole new design that incorporates ball bearings and new seals to keep from leaking. :rock: I also installed their reverse linkage seal and tail housing seal. (In the next pic is the OLD, TIRED, side cover... )



I bought these from Terry at TBTrans (dot) Com. He was a great help, as the side cover is a PITA to put back together! :argh:

 

BEFORE:







..... And AFTER:













Here's a pretty trick lookin' dual-feed fuel line for the Demon Carb... it's clear anodized billet w/ black AN-fittings. I was surprised how good it looked, and how well it was made (it's a Jeg's Brand part). I wonder who makes them for Jeg's, because they did a nice job. :dontknow:

 

It's in and it RUNS!!!! :thumbs::cheers:





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njwerVaLByk

Video tomorrow.... (neighbors are sleeping, and it's LOUD )

 

http://s105.photobucket.com/albums/m227/oblivion187/Vette Rebuild/?action=view&current=VID00008.flv



(Keep in mind, it's still set on "pig rich"... so it's smoking a little bit. )

 

I forgot to update...

After about 1 hour of drive-time, the Blaster 2 coil blew the points in the distributor. Did it again after a fresh set of hi-po points. :ack: So, I broke down and got a MSD Pro-billet dist and 6AL brick. .... Runs way better now. (And, I can still use the dist shield). I hid the 6AL behind the coolant reservoir tank.

The stock(ish) single throttle return spring was too weak. It would stick the throttle open ever so often... So, I also installed a double spring.

When we put the exhaust back on (driver's side), we found the pipe junction at the sub-frame (middle of the car) was all jacked up. When the exhaust was put on by the previous owner, they didn't fit the pipe good enough in the junction and installed the clamp too far back. That put a crease in the rear pipe, which doesn't allow the new mid pipe to fully seat. Now, I can't get it to seal. :toetap: So, it looks like she's off to the exhaust shop on Monday. :smash:

 

Here's some updates! I ordered and installed the "N11 Off-Road" exhaust from CC.... It sounds GREAT! :thumbs:I will have a few vids this coming week for everyone that is interested. Corvette Central was STUPID to shoot a vid of their new exhaust using some goofy-assed RADICAL BIG BLOCK (523ci, or somthing) engined Vette to show the sound of this setup... :crazy::smash: So, I will have a nice sounding vid for all those that are still looking at this piece. ..... For now, I'm just satisfied that I can finally run the project down the road and work out the "bugs". Here are a few pictures to hold you all over until the vid.... (I forgot how much SHINE the old girl had, after being under the knife for so long! So, here's a few of my fat ass in the reflection (camera was not able to focus real well under the lights... but, trust me, you could SHAVE in it...) among other things )










[END ORIGINAL POSTS!!!] opcorn::ilovesrtc::ronlove:

 

Thanks, Vinny. I need to make another video because that exhaust isn't on there anymore. It sounded decent on the clip, but it sounded like shit in person (way to tinny and too loud).

 

Yep... sparks through 20deg of crank rotation. No problems with fouling plugs now! :shifty:

Thanks, guys!