Do I have to take off my heads? Dumb Question, but I am just unsure. I want to get the part numbers off of one so I can figure out what kind and size they are for other future mods. Can I get numbers from the pistons from below, that would be easier. The motor is currently on a stand. Thanks, Ron

 

You probably won't see much from teh top side. Numbers are frequently on the wrist pin bosses, either the sides or underside. You may be able to get some numbers from the underside, but may also have to slide a piston out of a bore to get any numbers (if they're even on the piston).

 

How can I see the serial numbers on my cam? Dumb question I know, but I need to know to find out what I have. Should I just take the motor in and have the Shaker guys look at it? Thanks, Ron

 

take the cam out and you'll see the numbers, but if it's a gm cam that may or maynot tell you very much. you can figure lift with an indicator on a pair of valves.

 

Do you have any idea of what pistons might be in there? Like, did you buy the car/motor and the person said "TRW forged pistons" or anything? What is the history on the motor and what leads you to believe that they aren't just stock cast pistons?

 

From an ad I went to see this car. It said 82 Z28 with very built roller stroker motor. $2800.00 The car had the whole interior taken out, but was all there. This guy bought it for his wife, who was now leaving him and he didn't even want to look at it anymore. He brought it from a guy who had the motor built by a company close to here called Advanced Engines in Lapaz, Indiana. He had pics of it being built and a ton of nice parts that went with it. He did not have any paperwork that went with the motor, though. The story was that the guy who built the car, had just gotten the motor finished and was still in the breaking in stage, with about 105 miles on it. He went on vacation to Florida. His room mate, while drunk, took the car out drove it about 50 feet, lost it and went right into a pole. The room mate had to call him the next day and tell him what had happened. The guy, named Tony, kicked him out of the house from Florida. There were two head prints into the windshield from the room mate and his drunk friend, when I bought the car. The front nose had been replaced, but the glass was scary looking with the head prints.
After my son and I heard the whole story, asked a ton of questions, I went to home to verify what I could. I called this guy named Tony, after finally finding him through some of his family.
He had a unique last name and I called all five numbers in the phone book. As soon as I mentioned the yellow Z28 he just starting bitching about his )*&^#$%(* room mate and proceeded to whine about all the money he put into it and so forth. I asked him what exactly he put into the motor or if he had any paperwork. He stated it was over 4 years ago and could only remember the things I could already see on the motor. His story was exactly like the guy I bought it from. I think he could not remember the following week as he sounded like Joe Dirt
I could even hear his wife in the background bitching about the room mate too as she was his girlfriend at the time.
Anyway, I now called the Advanced Engines and speak to the owner who remembered the "yellow Z28 with flames". He tried to pull it up on his computer but indicated that his computer had perged that info as it was old. He was able to produce a copy of reciept for $4300 for parts and labor. He did remember that Tony had brought in a 4 bolt main truck block for starters and could remember that it was a 383 stroker when done. Quite rad.
I am most likely going to take the motor to a shop so they can tell me what this is exactly.
I know I got a good deal because I paid $1200 for the lot, ended up parting the Z28 out for at least $1200 and still have the motor, the 4 speed trans and a couple of items I needed for this 89 Iroc that I paid $500 for. Whew that was long. but thats the deal. That car even came with a pair of MT slicks on rims, brand new Accell Wires and distributer. He was like giving me stuff as if he was cleaning out his garage. Extra steering column, extra t-tops etc. It was fun! This guy Tony who built the car really took a bath on it. Oh yea the shop owner said he also did some work to the 4 speed that I still have. The Z28 had a 12 bolt rear with 4:11's. I with I would have not sold that.

 

Damn, I know more about the history of your car than I do my own....and I bought mine off the lot, new in '89

 

Ask me what time it is and I tell ya how to build a clock. Sorry , I had a double expresso from Starbucks and well, I get kinda whacked from it. Bouncing off the ceiling!
I did get a good deal though, eh? Later, Ron