GeorgeC

First, here's a post about one minor problem I'm working on right now. Spark plug post

OK, as far as everything else goes, I'll try to quickly summarize everything thus far... I'm somewhat disappointed in the condition I received it. The crank pulley bolt was totally missing/not installed. Luckily, I had a spare at the house I was able to use. Next, there were no dowel pins in the block, so I had to go to a local salvage yard and knock a couple of dowel pins out of an old SBC to put in my motor. That was kind of a crappy deal. Lastly, the little adapter piece that fits on the oilpan (just above the oil filter) was totally missing as well. This hasn't been so easy to find. I ordered one yesterday, and should have it today. My next door neighbor was kind enough to loan me this part off of his car so I could get everything up and running yesterday. Thanks Jon! Anyway, I find it very upsetting that Nick would send out a motor in this condition after as long as I've waited, and as patient as I've been. I'm going to talk to him about it when they get back from vacation next week.

I have some major tuning issues, but have made some progress already. It's going to be difficult to tune the car for open loop operation with the big SVO 42# injectors in it. I'm considering going back to the stock injectors for now, but I'm just afraid they aren't big enough to support the horsepower this engine should put out. What's everybody's opinion of the stock injectors ('98 ~28.6#). My fuel pressure is adjustable, so I know I can get a little more out of them that way (by raising the fuel pressure to 65#'s or more). The driveability is much improved now over when I initially started the car, but it still has a way to go.

As I was putting some breakin miles on it yesterday, my tranny lost 2nd gear. Seeing as how I have not beat on it one bit yet, I don't think anything's actually broke, but probably a stuck shift valve or something. I'm going to check that out today if the oil filter fitting thingy show up. I am still somewhat hopeful for getting to the track tonight, but so far things haven't really gone my way. I am leaving work right now to go home and try to finish adjusting the valves. I got three done yesterday while they were still hot, but I was exhausted and ready to call it a day. Hopefully now that it's cool, I can check the lash on the three valves I adjusted while hot, and see what it is cold. Then I'll just set all the other one to this spec cold. Sound feasible?

Anyway, that's how everything looks right now. I know it will all work out in the end, but I'm beginning to wonder just when the hell that's gonna be! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

Since I am kind of in need of tuning/plug/general advice, I'll let you know the basic specs of this motor since it will probably help to understand what's going on...

4.100" bore
Lunati PM rods
Ross custom domed pistons
C&A lightweight toolsteel wristpins
Total seal rings
4.8L truck heads w/2.02 1.57 valves
Comp 254/260@.050 .660/.667 solid roller camshaft
SVO 42# injectors
~13.2:1 compression ratio

Any feedback/tips will be appreciated. Thanks guys.

Coach 02 A3 Z/28

iTrader: (10)

George,

Keep pluging away at it, it's all going to workout. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

good luck to ya. <img border="0" alt="[angel]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_angel.gif" />

CHRISPY

George if you set your FP to 65+psi the 28# injectors will support a LOT of horsepower. Probably in the 500RWHP range NA. I would try that first with tuning and see how it works. You should be able to buy shorter plugs in the TR6 heat range no problem. I cant think of the part number offhand. How are you finding everything valvetrain wise? I saw your motor firsthand and your pistons are monsters!! hahaha
Cheers,
Chris

GeorgeC

Coach, I hope you're right! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

Chris, I'm thinking along the same lines as far as the stock injectors... I'm probably going to swap them back in and give them a shot. The SVO's are kicking my *** as far as the tuning goes...

Valvetrain wise? Everything looks OK, but I need to finish relashing the valves today. I got a few done last night but ran out of steam. We're going to index the plugs using some indexing washers and see if that solves that problem. If not, I am sure I can find some slightly shorter ones somewhere.

I wish you had taken a picture of the pistons, since I haven't even seen them myself. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> Hopefully I won't be looking at them anytime soon! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

<small>[ July 31, 2002, 09:33 AM: Message edited by: GeorgeC ]</small>

CHRISPY

Pistons looked awesome <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> All hand polished to get rid of any rough spots <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
works of art for sure!
Chris

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

Congradulations on the new engine! I hope every thing works out great.

I think Edlebrock sells a short reach plug I'm not sure of the brand.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by GeorgeC:
<strong>First, here's a post about one minor problem I'm working on right now. Spark plug post

OK, as far as everything else goes, I'll try to quickly summarize everything thus far... I'm somewhat disappointed in the condition I received it. The crank pulley bolt was totally missing/not installed. Luckily, I had a spare at the house I was able to use. Next, there were no dowel pins in the block, so I had to go to a local salvage yard and knock a couple of dowel pins out of an old SBC to put in my motor. That was kind of a crappy deal. Lastly, the little adapter piece that fits on the oilpan (just above the oil filter) was totally missing as well. This hasn't been so easy to find.

Anyway, I find it very upsetting that Nick would send out a motor in this condition after as long as I've waited, and as patient as I've been. I'm going to talk to him about it when they get back from vacation next week.

Any feedback/tips will be appreciated. Thanks guys.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I'm sure the boards ARE apologiests, will have a good excuse for the missed details...

RyanJ

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by 99 Black Bird T/A:
<strong>I'm sure the boards ARE apologiests, will have a good excuse for the missed details...</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">LOL...

ARE??? <img border="0" alt="[bullshit]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_bs.gif" />

bigSS

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by GeorgeC:
<strong>
Comp 254/260@.050 .660/.667 solid roller camshaft
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Thats a big sonofabitch! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" />

VINCE

iTrader: (1)

I hate to say it, but after all of this you should have had a BUTLER deliver your engine.. It should have arrived in a limo..

AlonzoVersion 1.0

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by VINCE:
<strong>I hate to say it, but after all of this you should have had a BUTLER deliver your engine.. It should have arrived in a limo..</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yes George you are one hell of a ice guy.If that were me I would be ripping ARE a new one sense you spent that kind of cash.That just shows your a <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" /> customer.

GeorgeC

I've learned that patience is something you have to have when you're dealing with cars sometimes. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> Especially on a "unique" project like this. Custom things usually take time.