One Month Ago Yesterday...
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 552
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From: Joplin, Missouri
Car: '91 Z28
Engine: L98 H/C/I - 400whp
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: Moser 12-Bolt(4:30 w/spool)
One Month Ago Yesterday...
This Was Started...
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I briefly sold the car to someone who turned around and sold it back. He attempted to put new heads in the car(did a good job there) but didn't tighten bolts or even use all bolts needed, didn't use right gaskets, etc and so I decided to go back through and do the job right. Figured it'd be a one week job... gutting the block then putting it back together right. Well, the site of a bare block and the opportunity to easily swap on a few extra parts started itching at me so I figured "Ah what the heck, a cam? Sure. New headers/exhaust? Sure. Redo the valvetrain? Sure." And on and on with the list. Well, while hustling home yesterday to try and beat UPS, I noticed that it was March 8th, exactly one month from the day I decided to start pulling the engine apart. A week long process? ERRR boy I was wrong. Slowly, it's been going back together, work has been long & tough, as well as finding time that works for everyone that has helped me out(primarily my good old dad, hes my car workin buddy!), usually just putting in 3 or so hours a morning before we had to be at work.
Well, the car is 98% reassembled. My PCMForLess RE-tune just arrived, waiting on the RIGHT headers to arrive from Summit along with my plug wires(better be tomorrow), then just a matter of mounting the headers, plugs, wires, and hooking up vac hoses and my car will be started for the first time in a month! I'm unbelievably excited knowing I'm so close. I've always done some little fix's/upgrades here and there but never actually gone as far as taken the block out and freshening it up and building it up. I'm definately excited to hear the LT4 Hot Cam on open headers! Eventually, the exhaust will be finished with 2.5in true duals and Dynomax Bullet mufflers, but I'm more worried about getting the engine running again.
Perfect timing too with the weather, we were getting the tail end of the bad winter weather when I brought the car into the garage, and now it'll be coming out into 60degree weather to be enjoyed. Haha, just had to throw this out there, I'm pretty stoked to see it going together, and actually knowing the story of the engine. Honestly, when I first got it, it had all the potential and parts in the world(like HSR, MSD, etc), but things weren't hooked up right, lazy work, etc... I think this will honestly be the first time I can say the engine is back to 100%. Just had to get that off my chest... aiming for Saturday!!! I'll prob have 600 vids and pictures up after it's up and finally going again!
------------------
I briefly sold the car to someone who turned around and sold it back. He attempted to put new heads in the car(did a good job there) but didn't tighten bolts or even use all bolts needed, didn't use right gaskets, etc and so I decided to go back through and do the job right. Figured it'd be a one week job... gutting the block then putting it back together right. Well, the site of a bare block and the opportunity to easily swap on a few extra parts started itching at me so I figured "Ah what the heck, a cam? Sure. New headers/exhaust? Sure. Redo the valvetrain? Sure." And on and on with the list. Well, while hustling home yesterday to try and beat UPS, I noticed that it was March 8th, exactly one month from the day I decided to start pulling the engine apart. A week long process? ERRR boy I was wrong. Slowly, it's been going back together, work has been long & tough, as well as finding time that works for everyone that has helped me out(primarily my good old dad, hes my car workin buddy!), usually just putting in 3 or so hours a morning before we had to be at work.
Well, the car is 98% reassembled. My PCMForLess RE-tune just arrived, waiting on the RIGHT headers to arrive from Summit along with my plug wires(better be tomorrow), then just a matter of mounting the headers, plugs, wires, and hooking up vac hoses and my car will be started for the first time in a month! I'm unbelievably excited knowing I'm so close. I've always done some little fix's/upgrades here and there but never actually gone as far as taken the block out and freshening it up and building it up. I'm definately excited to hear the LT4 Hot Cam on open headers! Eventually, the exhaust will be finished with 2.5in true duals and Dynomax Bullet mufflers, but I'm more worried about getting the engine running again.
Perfect timing too with the weather, we were getting the tail end of the bad winter weather when I brought the car into the garage, and now it'll be coming out into 60degree weather to be enjoyed. Haha, just had to throw this out there, I'm pretty stoked to see it going together, and actually knowing the story of the engine. Honestly, when I first got it, it had all the potential and parts in the world(like HSR, MSD, etc), but things weren't hooked up right, lazy work, etc... I think this will honestly be the first time I can say the engine is back to 100%. Just had to get that off my chest... aiming for Saturday!!! I'll prob have 600 vids and pictures up after it's up and finally going again!
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iTrader: (1)
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Northern CA.
Car: '82 Z28
Engine: 350
Transmission: TH400 4,000 stall
Axle/Gears: Currie 9", 4.56 gears
Ah yes, the old "while it's out" or "since it's torn down this far" excuse for making changes 
Done that before and seen it done many times. This last time I had a set amount of time to get stuff done and stuck to it. Replaced headgaskets to raise compression, installed different main studs for a windage tray, installed the tray and changed to a different oil filter adapter. Also stripped the headers and repainted them. Had the engine out and back in the car all in 2.5 days. Looking forward to watching some vids of yours!
Done that before and seen it done many times. This last time I had a set amount of time to get stuff done and stuck to it. Replaced headgaskets to raise compression, installed different main studs for a windage tray, installed the tray and changed to a different oil filter adapter. Also stripped the headers and repainted them. Had the engine out and back in the car all in 2.5 days. Looking forward to watching some vids of yours! 
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