Flip33

Am considering using an L-31 into a 34 Ford PU. Because of space constrains want to make sure it will fit. With the older Gen 1, the short water pump and pulley system would fit, would this be the same for the L-31. I am thinking this is all interchangeable (water pump, balancer, etc) Is this correct? Thanks in advance.

RamIt

I have an L31 in my vega with the short pre 68 accessories. I drilled out the block for the older styled water pump bypass.
The timing cover bolts needed to be ground down a bit and the bolts on the back of the pump needed some trimming too to fit.

Flip33

RamIt - Thanks for your reply. So, I should be able to use a short style water pump without the bypass with a few tweets. Does the Harmonic balancer stick out any further and if so could it be changed? Also is the block machined for a mechanical fuel pump, I plan on running a carb. I know about the intake and distributor. Are there any other things I should be aware of. Thanks again for your help, as I am not an expert in this area.

RamIt

There is no hole for the fuel pump pushrod on my block. The stock cam had no lobe to run the pump either.

If you run a heater core with constant flow running through it you don't need an external bypass or a hole drilled in the block like I did. I drilled the block because I did not want an external bypass and didn't think I wanted a heater. Some people just drill an 1/8" hole in the thermostat.

Harmonic balancer sticks out the same as other small blocks. The short pullies and pump I ordered worked perfect. If you put a standard sbc balancer on you need to remove the reluctor wheel on the crank and use a standard timing chain cover.

Flip33

Thanks again, you have been a big help. What I understand is, I can use the stock L-31 balancer with a short style water pump and pulleys with a few tweaks. Will have to run an electric fuel pump as no provisions for the mechanical. Get me a carb/intake, distributor and should be all set. Am looking a buying an L-31 crate long block. Like the idea of the roller cam and vortec heads. Let me know if you think I am missing anything. Again, thanks for all of your help, much appreciated!!

Flip33

Ramit - thanks for your past help. Have located a motor out of 96 silverado, wondering if you would take me through a few things? Building hotrod, more into fabercation than engines, first thing, timing cover needs replaced cuz of hole from accident. Would like to use stock steel cover, what is involved with removing reluctor wheel and suggestion on balancer. What brand of distributor, intake, carb and elect. Fuel pump would u use? Also what type of inspection would u perform on engine before maybe wasting time and money on it. Again thanks for your time, I am an old retired guy trying to keep up with modern technology!!

RamIt

For the timing cover differences take a look here:
http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/w...er_replacement

The Vega uses : 650 Holley DP, Air gap knockoff. My Cosworth Vega came stock with 2 electric fuel pumps. One in the tank and one inline under the rear seat. Cam is an LT4 hotcam, Ebay HEI with a MSD 6al for ignition.
Probably not a good setup for a daily driver but fun in a 2900# toy.

I weighed the options on getting a junkyard engine and decided it was not worth it compared to a new L31-r for just under $2000. Everyone has their budgets and this one just squeaked into mine.

I am not retired yet but I certainly feel my 50 years of age EVERY time I try to bend over the fender to work on my toy. Plug changes are a back breaking exercise

Night rider327

iTrader: (13)

Inspections...
Check oil for signs of coolant
Do a compression test on all 8 cylinders
Do a leakdown test on all 8 cylinders

Intake... Can't go wrong with Edelbrock or weiand
Carb... Edelbrock, holley and Qjet are all good just depends on what you like and can tune better.

Fuel pump... I like Carter or holley elec. pumps for a carb'ed engine.

Distributor... Hard to beat Skip White $49 china made HEI. It's cheap, it works, pretty good unit really.

I really like professional products powerforce harmonic dampers.

Damon

You can use a typical stamped steel timing chain cover on a Vortec motor (replacing the rather fat stock plastic timing chain cover). There will be 2 bolt holes in the stamped steel cover that there may be no matching hole to put a bolt into on the block.

You can drill and tap it, if you like. Or you can just do what I do and smear a little extra RTV on the timing chain cover gasket and call it good.

Note, I am no certain if the stock Vortec plastic timing chain cover will clear a short-style water pump. Something tells me it might not. Anyway, I just mention this in case it doesn't, you have an easy solution.

Flip33

Night rider - thanks for the info. Do any of the fuel pump man. Make an in tank pump or do you prefer an inline pump. I will check out the Skip white dist. Thanks again for your help.

Flip33

Damon - thanks. You make a good point about the clearance issue with the short pump. When you go with the steel cover, there seems to be 2 methods. Grind down reluctor wheel or replace it with some sort of spacer which allows you to use the stock vortec balancer or remove rel. wheel and use an old style balancer. If the first method, what is the best way to accomplish that? This seems the less expensive way as the other method requires a new balancer in addition to a cover. On a side note there is a plastic cover made for the ZZ4 that doesn't have a sensor hole to plug, do you know if this cover can be used with the reluctor wheel left in place. Thanks for your help

Damon

Flip- I don't do a lot of short water pump stuff so I usually run them with the factory plastic cover. If I had to deal with a sheet metal cover I'd probably just ditch the ring and use an earlier style balancer. The (usually bolt-on) timing tabs available for the metal covers are going to be totally different than the timing tab on the Vortec plastic cover- not even sure the line on the Vortec balancer would line up properly on the older style timing tab, though it might.

If you're willing to re-scribe your own TDC line on the balancer anyway, then just grind the teeth off the ring as much as you need to get it under the metal cover and keep using the Vortec balancer.

Not sure if the ZZ4 plastic cover would clear the ring, though I suspect it would. They just deleted the fitting for the crank position sensor, would be my guess. Can't imagine they totally redesigned it for a crate motor they sell in small numbers.

Flip33

Damon - Thanks for the reply and your insight. I saw the plastic ZZ4 cover at Summit so I will give them a call and see what they say. Thanks again