Hey, im thinking about rebuilding my engine this summer and here is the parts i was thinking about getting.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-1413-12/ Rocker Arms
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-601-12/ Cam Valve Locks
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-K16-232-4/ Cam and lifter kit
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CLE-SH1364S/ Cam Bearings
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FEL-512SD/ Head Gasket
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SLP-6-4020A/ Rod Bearings
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/UEM-1463C-STD/ Pistons



I was thinking about using the old pushrods from before, car has 120k miles on it. Anything else i should consider or drop from the list?

 

1. If you're going to put in a new cam, you're better off getting 1.6 rockers, as the ones you have on the list aren't that much different from what's already there (1.5).
2. Reuse the stock valve keepers...
3. If you're going to get the CL-232, might as well get the CL-233 kit...
4. Cam bearings are unnecessary. But, if you're going to replace them, there are some that are SBC-style. They were available from GM a while back, but I don't know if they're offered any more, and I'd need to look up the P/N.
5. Only head gasket you should be looking into, short of a hybrid turbo conversion, is the FelPro HS8699PT2. It's half the price of what you've got there.
6. You forgot Main Bearings...
7. You only need new pistons if the cylinders have damage and the block needs to be bored oversize. Look at rings instead. And you do realize that if you DO get new pistons, you will need to have a machine shop install them to the rods because the wrist pins are press fit and not circlipped into place, right?

What you forgot on your list is either a way to tune the stock ECM (almost impossible), or a replacement, be it a 1227165 from a TPI V8 or aftermarket. Your stock calibration isn't going to work too well with the new cam, much less anything else. And possibly fuel injectors... And don't forget the full gasket kit.

 

Like maverick says, get the 1.6 rockers. Summit sells the same kit with 1.6 rockers right on their site. Youll also need different valve covers since they would cause clearance issues with the stock covers. Anything less than a 260 grind cam really isnt worth buying. Depending on the year/engine setup of the car a tune isnt as necessary as some may think. Apparently early 2.8 ECM/MAF read and adjust better and dont require a tune (although it would probably still help).

 

Being that his name is 83Berli, I am going to conjecture that it's an 83, and therefore Carbureted. As long as he sticks with the E2SE, shouldn't the Stock ECM be fine?

 

Yep, thats what i was told as well.

 

If your car is in fact and 83 and Carbureted, you should consider going with the Edelbrock intake, and a Holley 390 carb as well.

 

Ill second that, its what ill be doing.

 

Well, if that were the case, the carb would need to be jetted for the increased air. Assuming it's carbed. Keep in mind that the cam, rockers, and intake (if purchased) would increase the air flow. Not sure on the ECM for those, but I would think it would benefit better from being tuned. Getting a 4-barrel to go with the Edelbrock intake would be better as the stock carb is restrictive. Which will give you more freedom, but is more expensive, and probably not what you're looking for with a basically stock rebuild.

(I wasn't thinking it was carbed since so many of those have died already)

And the Comp CL-233 is their 260 grind. However, Delta Cams has almost the same cam for about $60 cheaper, from what I remember.

Also, if you're going to go down as far as the bare engine block, you'd benefit the most by getting fuel injected, post-85, cylinder heads. They have bigger valves.

 

So should i just put a 3.4L in instead?

 

Thats totally up to you. Most would say yes. Im keeping my 2.8 and building it up but others dont think its worth their time.

 

I would in your situation, That would net you more gains, and provide a good base for future upgrades.

nice carb intake, new carb, some of those fancy chrome valve covers, headers and a cam.. it'll look good and run great.

 

dont waste ur money on the stock engine u have now, much better off buying a 3.1 or 3.4 and swapping on ur carb manifold and carb

 

okay, so i've decided to just go to pull-a-part near my home town and get an engine and tranny for $200. gonna put a 3.4l in it and was wondering on what carb i should put on it. i know people say to put the holly 390cfm on it, but can i put something bigger on there or is the 390cfm about all it can handle?

 

I was told the 390 was more than big enough.

 

the 390 is plenty, any bigger and it will have horrible throttle responce and **** poor milage, i belive the next step up is what a 500 cfm carb ?

 

okay, so i'm getting my wishlist put together on summit. got main bearings, 233 comp cam, 390cfm holley carb, was wondering if this is what i need for the manifold.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-3785/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-3789/

i know they say theyre for the 2.8, but everywhere i read people say to put the 2.8 parts straight on the 3.4. so i'm guessing this will bolt on directly?

 

Yep, thats what you need.

 

cool, hopefully i can get it ordered in a week or two and start my summer project. i guess it's time to call my buddy and go get the engine then

 

would the heads on the 3.4 be worth keeping or 2.8 heads with http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-RP1414-12/

 

The 3.4 heads would be the latest/last casting for the gen1's which would be the best to use.

 

should i still put the 1.6 rocker arms in, is it that big of an upgrade?

 

do i need http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HLY-17-6/ for the holley carb to fit on the edelbrock manifold? making sure i have everything before i finalize my order

 

if the holley is a 4 barrell carb u need to buy the correct edelbrock top for the manifold.

i dont rember if the edl intake comes with the stock top and the 4 barrell top or not, when u call summit to place ur order they will make sure u get the right parts

 

Im pretty sure part #3789 is the adapter for the 4 barrel that you need to go with part # 3785 which is the manifold. At least thats what i was told. I havnt ordered mine yet since im waiting on my tax return (so much for direct deposit being quicker...) since i spent what i had on other parts for the engine. lol

 

i've got that, just wasnt sure if the holley bolt pattern was a direct fit to the edelbrock. you gotta watch these companies, they'll do whatever they can to make a penny, even if it means making the holes lign up 1/8in. different.

 

just bought the carb. http://www.allcarbs.com/detail.php?p...=8&stt=10&gb=2 it's $330 + $20 shipping. looks nice and clean to go with it

 

I ordered the intake manifold parts last night, would it be okay to put the 390cfm carb on the 2.8? can it handle that much fuel input?

 

Yep, should be fine. Anything over that is overkill though unless you have a pretty serious setup going on. lol

 

good then, I doubt this thing is pushing 85Hp at the moment

 

Yikes, even stock it should be a bit better than that. lol

 

yea, it needs a little work. thats why i'm putting the 3.4 in there. my current carb is messed up, needs rebuilt. engine needs at a top end rebuild anyways

 

okay, so my carb came in last friday and the manifold pieces should be in this week. since i'm doing a complete rebuild almost, should i consider new valves? what about rods? do I need to take the 3.4L block to a machine shop and have it reworked or examined?

 

id get it hot tanked, makes for a happier build since your working with clean parts, and some new. also on parts your reusing and botls your reusing i would highly recommend you get some purple power( a gallon cost about $6.50 at an auto store) and soak them over night, you will be amazed at how clean they come, this stuff eats oil and grease. im building a 350 right now and i tossed in my filthy black pistons and rockers, push rods, and bolts and every single one of them has come out clean, even my rockers and pistons, they are silver again. its amazing stuff.

 

was it straight solution? what container did you put it in that was big enough to hold all the parts?

 

It's just straight solution right outta the bottle. I have a giant autozone bucket here thst I have filled with about 4 gallons of purple power. I don't soak all the stuff at once. I do it one at a time, especially bolts so I don't get them mixed up. But like last night. I soaked all my pistons at one time, removed them about 5 maybe 6 hours later and they were all spotless with alittle carbon on the bottom, today I soaked all my mains at the same time( I had them marked) and they are all spotless. Right now I have a head soaking to see what it will do to it, a windage pan, and my oil pump. It's great stuff. After I soak the stuff for a few hours or over night I wipe what ever it was down with a rag to clean excess oil or dirt off and the rest of the purple power

 

after cleaning the valves and pistons, do i want to try and keep them together as a pair or does it matter which valves go to what?

 

Pistons matter so mark them using a center punch before removal, valves will unless you lap them

 

54 hours a week and i finally have enough money to get the engine and some parts, i am working on the parts list and came to a question...

1.6 rocker arms for the 3.4 cost about $250
1.6 rocker arms for the 2.8 cost about $140

can i use the 2.8 parts in the 3.4 heads? if not, what would be the difference between the two heads if i upgraded them both? since the 3.4 has iron heads and the 2.8 also does, should i just keep the 2.8 heads?

 

anyone know?