I bought my old 93 Z28 back, now it needs some TLC

[mcalus]

Engine is on stand, trans is off, and the cradle is ready to go back on the car.
















Really the main thing now is to figure out that I want to do with the engine. Next will probably drain the oil, some how mount the trans somewhere so I can take the pan off, paint or powdercoat. I know a guy I use to work at a dealership with and he was the trans guy, im going to see if he can check it out.

Now I have a couple things I can randomly powdercoat, which may seem pointless but it will look much better than rusted bolts and it cost me next to nothing.

[nascarnate326]

So are you keeping the car when its done?

I may have missed it, what are you doing to the motor? Mild cam?

[mcalus]

So are you keeping the car when its done?

I may have missed it, what are you doing to the motor? Mild cam?

No idea really, for both questions. When its done I will probably keep it. As for the motor its still up in the air. I really want to get back on a bike and I also want/need to do some stuff to the 99. My goal for the 99 is to have a full exhaust and some suspension work done by the end of the summer.

[98blackbeauty]

So what are the plans for the engine and trans? shift kit, new torque converter with 2800-3400 stall, cam, roller rockers, heads ported, new springs, lifters, might as well do motor mounts while its out, and headers.

[mcalus]

Decided to get some stuff done to the engine last night.

Pulled the intake off, TB, push rods, heads, oil pan, starter, random lines/ wires.

Ill get some better pictures I just wanted to get some quick pictures this morning to put up. My buddy seemed to be real surprised that the motor had roller lifters, he thinks they are aftermarket that the engine didn't come like that. I told him that I was pretty sure that they are stock, is this correct? Also he said the engine in general is real real clean and shows next to no wear. He said the cylinder walls have next to no lip and there isn't any scores.

[nascarnate326]

very nice. decide on what cam?

[mcalus]

leaning towards hotcam. cheap and simple. in the meantime i have alot of cleaning to do.

[mcalus]

Ok so I have a couple of tech questions that I need answers to.

Newbie question: does the LT1 come stock with roller lifters? Also, my buddy is on a hunch that I have a LT4 block or its bored .30 over. Or aftermarket cam or something, now at idle this car didn't have ANY chop, not even close to a LT4 cam. Any ideas here? Car when 14.0 in 1/4 mile with an ebay intake and muffler delete. Without me driving, this was previous owner. I have the block and head numbers at home but wont be home until 10ish and I dont have internet at home so I wounldn't be able to post them up until tomorrow. What is an LT1 block number and LT4 block number?

Thanks!

[meissen]

It does come with roller lifters - the bore should be stamped on the pistons I believe. Or atleast it was on my replacement pistons when I had mine bored out. I know the LT1 blocks have "327" stamped on the block on the sides... You can also tell the year from the vin stamped on it:

[mcalus]

Thanks for the info Brian, it IS all stock, my buddy ran the numbers.

As for an update, we pulled one of the connecting rod bearings, wow, it was pretty scarred up. Also we pulled off a crank bearing and its was pretty damaged too, but not nearly as bad as the rod bearing.

So on that note, we are going to pull the crank, pistons, cam, cam bearings, lifters etc.

I am going to take the block to my buddy that owns a local machine shop, have him clean up the cylinders and when I get the cam have him put it in with new bearings. (how much will that run me? not including cam and bearings? just the honing and setting the cam and cam bearings?)

Put new rings in, keep stock pistons, then go from there.

[meissen]

While it's not an apples to apples comparison, when I spun two bearings and messed everything up, I had my block bored, crank polished, new pistons and rings, and all the bearings replaced and it was $1200. Again, it's not apples to apples but it should be considerably less...

[mcalus]

yeah they arent going to bore them just clean them up. also I only need the cam and bearings put in. my buddy said thats the only part he isnt comfortable with. he can set the pistons in, new rings, rod bearings, main bearings etc

[98blackbeauty]

You need to take the whole thing to the Machine shop. They will mic the cyl walls and pistons and then let you know if it needs bored. You may have wear, piston or cyl wall out of round. they really might need to regrind bearing journals and fit new bearings, depends on wear and scoring. The 1200 Brian quoted you was for parts, (new pistons, rod bearings, main bearings, and rings), and labor. he checked and cam bearings were OK. We had him put it all together as well. that way there was a warrenty. We also new it would be done right. This is one area not to cut corners or it will cost you more to redue it. We learned that lesson by not checking bearings when we had it apart. His engine and oil was very clean when we took it apart, so we made the decision to not bother with the bearings. That my friend, cost us the 1200 plus with new gaskets etc.

[98blackbeauty]

You probably should take the heads in too. have the valve guilds and seals checked. Its obvious the engine had some abuse and/or lubrication problem because of the bearings.

[mcalus]

Thank you for the break down Larry! Very helpful. Prices on this and doing this is all new to me. Tho I do know how to check the cylinders to see if they are egged Id rather have a shop do it, nor do i have a micrometer.