Quickie progress shot
 

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...background.jpg

No, the headers, manifold, carb, and timing cover aren't final. Just in place for a test fitting. And it still needs a final paint job and other stuff. But the engine work is coming along. Heads are on, cam and oiling system are done. Hopefully ready to roll sometime this fall. :mrgreen:

Certainly looks good!

Looking good, I spy Vortecs!! Care to share any more details on the motor?

lookin good man. what car is it going in

lookin nice!

NCIE!

Make sure you get spray paint down all the water jackets and in ports and stuff too. I would get an oil based pain and spray the crank down while you are at it.

Looks good!
PS You still have my Wheelrite?

Thanks guys! Engine is this:

9.6:1 350
Melling oil pump+pickup
062 Vortec heads w/ Manley valves, screw in studs, and LT4 springs
True roller timing chain
Comp XE268 cam, Comp CM pushrods
Edelbrock Performer mani
650CFM Holley
MSD Pro Billet Distributor
Hooker Headers

Going into a '68 Nova.

PB: Yep, I have it and plan on bringing it to you next time I see you. If you need it now I can meet you somewhere or mail it, no biggie. I've had it for a while and am all finished with it.

LT4 springs!!!!!!!!!!!!


There is some hope for this engine. :)

The LT4 cam and the XE268 have similar lifts- within .003 on the intake, and exactly the same on the exhaust.

So what should this motor put down?

I figure they are good enough for the cam that's in there and I don't have to really worry about them wiping the cam lobes during break in. That's not to say I'm not nervous about that process.

According to Comp it should be good for 395hp@5500, 425lb-ft@2500. I figure I'm good if it puts out 360/400 or so. I won't really spin it past 5500 anyway.

What did you wind up doing about the compression issue? I forgot if you already went over all of that

Backed the cam off from a 274XE to a 268XE and went with .015 steel shim head gaskets. I talked to comp and the 274XE would have been on the edge at 9.5:1.

The big seller was that the torque jumped up by 10 lb-ft and moved down the curve by 2000RPM when I went with the smaller grind. With a weight of 3000lbs, a 2.52 first, 4.11 rear, and that much grunt down low it should be a blast.

Good luck driving that around on the highway. :lol: I am sooooo glad I put the 3:42's in the 73, now I can cruise at the same RPM I was driving around town at! Now I just need to get the 3:45's in the 91 GTA and I will be set

LOL. Well, I have a T56, adaptor SFI bell, and a T56 crossmember sitting there for when I get the scratch for that. If not, 9" center sections FTW :rofl:

Very nice. When I finally put something together for the regal I'll be going the 268 route. As ya said its a very reliable 390-420 hp build with a good curve. I'm hoping to do TPI though.

How much ya have into the heads?

$300. I bought them from Ian that way, with the valve covers. They looked to be in great shape so I just cleaned them up and bolted them on.

The valves oversized or nein?

Stock size.

OMGOVERSPRAYONTHECRANKROFL

nice man, looks good and sounds like a good combo.

Hey lemme see those pics of ur regal. Btw I'm gonna PM you about a parts car I'm getting.

Yes, but it's not going into the car like that. I can't take credit for the entire spray bomb job, either. I cleaned a lot of it off already.