Hey guys, I have had a 3rd gen for over a year and a half.

1985 z28 5-speed

Few months ago it started pinging real bad, the timeing seems waaaay off, even checking it. So I went to pull the dizzy and restab it and see if I could get everything zerod out.

Either way its just a tired old LG4...

I had a nightmare of a time getting the dizzy to spin, and even more of a nightmare to be able to pull it. I was almost to the point of assuming I might need to hammer it out from the bottom, and at that case, I might as well R&R the engine.


Either way I did get the dizzy out today, sometime this week I may get around to getting #1 to TDC, and restab the dizzy and see how everything goes.


In the meantime I have been putting some cash aside and have come up with some tenitive plans.

I will try again to get the car on the road again.


I was looking at the 260hp, and 290hp GM small block crate motors. But if I was to go this route, I would want ALOT of new parts to go along with it. The car is in great shape but the motor/accesories are 28 years old and 123k miles on them, so not worth keeping on an investment.

I had planned...
-Crate motor...
-Single belt converstion, full accesory kit from GM(all new accesories including AC)
-new carb, new dizzy
-already have an aftermarket intake.
-NEw fuel pump
-Possible new radiator
-Electric fans
-headers

I would keep the 5-speed for now, but eventually move up to a 6-speed.
I was just looking to bounce some ideas around here.


I still have plans for wheels/tires, suspensions, chassis, and more...

 

Earlier today, I reset the distributor, set car to TDC, made all well. This is the car with the ECU unhooked.

http://s1304.photobucket.com/user/Mu...tml?sort=3&o=0






then this was later...

So what do you guys think?


timing set to ~7* BTC. I have a manual that says 6* is factory for this setup.

Car really didn't make any knocking sounds(as seen in earlier vid), even warmed up.

I ran the car for awhile at idle, and revving it, clean blew a little smoke but it eventually cleared up. Fuel in it is old, with Stabil in it. etc....


I ran it low, as in surprised it didn't stall out low, like idle for a half hour on bottom of orange. I then ran down and picked up 2.5 gallons of ethanol free 93 octane. Threw it in.

I hooked the distribtor back up(connector for the ECU to work) and ran it. This is what the car sounds like. Oil is a bit thicker then normal, forgot the specifics, but I put a little thicker oil in since my issue arived. Is the spark curve jacked? As it doesn't sound too bad at high rpms.

Factory setting said 6*, I got to about 7*, think I should retard it back further, maybe getting some preignition from carbon build ups?


Vid with noise.

http://s1304.photobucket.com/user/Mu...tml?sort=3&o=0







Side note, did run it up and down the driveway a few times(hill), car seems WAY more responsive, then the last time timing settings(previous owner) had set up. I did get some detonation, but not tons.

 

First thing, check out TGO.com for ideas and also tech data if you haven't already.

I have 2 third gens, and had an 85 IROC with the same engine as yours, I can offer some advice to make your car faster without breaking the bank:

Your idea to pull out your engine and use a crate engine is a good one - as long as you use the right supporting parts. But I'd go for something with better parts in it (if you want to up the power later), like the ZZ4 motor, or ZZ383 engine (examples from GM).

You will need to get headers (shorties are good), a good flowing 3" or larger cat-back, fuel system with electric pump in or near the tank, high flow air cleaner, and other items you mentioned - electric fans & serpentine belt conversion.

 

Its guys like you that i wish were local, let you drive my 5.3 powered third gen and let you see how the power is before keeping a old SBC.

Been there and done it, some 5.7s, 355s and 383s, and now that i have the LS, it is like it should have come in the third gen from the factory.

If on a budget, get a 96-98 vortec 5.7 from the junkyard. Clean it up and carbed intake. Plenty of power and torque.

 

I prefer a manual transmission and going the 5.3 route, has a couple hidden costs. you get into tuning, seems transmission options are a little pricier(as everyone wasnts a LS?/T56)

Getting into 90s small blocks, if I am going the work to pull one I would want it gone over before I put it in a car. As it will be very high mileage and a little beat, being from a truck.


Also kind of like the look of a not flashy, clean small block with a clean looking air cleaner, keeping it kind of "age appropriate"

I am cool with headers, full exhaust, etc... and the typical bolt ons.


I would be fine with 260-300 hp, then down the line beef it up a little bit. I have alot of the rest of the car I would want to work before I get into big power. Example willing to keep the 5-speed around a little bit until later when I get a 6-speed.



As for my current engine? Do you guys have any advice for the ticking noise? Think it might be Lifters? I am willing to put a little effort into fixing this engine to keep the car on the road.

I am on TGO, just thought about posting up on here, to get a feel for what the traffic was here.

I need to update my info, its been awhile, LOL, I have lived in Orlando for about 5-6 years.

In the end, I want a quick car, sounds nice, can handle well, looks good, and has good driveability.

 

I did just come across a 98 ls1/6-speed with 150k for sale local for $2k.

I am trying to see what is included, and if possibly a entire car is availible.

 

That would be totally worth it. You would start at over 300 hp before headers and what not. I run my Ls engines with a carb. Tune it myself.

 

I emailed before hand, but stuff was gone.