Plans for L32/3X00 Hybrid

[tkoforpresident]

definitely car porn.






I don't care too much about polishing and all that jazz. I'd much rather have clean parts than anything.

My dad has a sand blaster, would that be an even better option?

[CNCguy]

Thanks guys. The polished parts are time consuming and hard to maintain. The pictured engine is going into a Healey that is being built for show and will never see rain, snow or salt. Bare aluminum corrodes and casting are like sponges sucking in oil and dirt. I don't have lots of time to be cleaning and waxing so I'm a powdercoat kind of guy as it seals the aluminum and is easy to clean.


Sandblasting makes the parts look pretty ... BUT... you have to be sure to get every piece of sand out or it could destroy your engine. Parts that are wide open like valve covers are easy to clean but intakes are tough as they are usually sticky inside and difficult to clean. Soda blasting is much better as it can be washed out with water.

[tkoforpresident]

Gotcha...

I think I'll go at these parts for a while with some brake cleaner and a brush... see how far that gets me.

I'm not ambitious.

[tkoforpresident]

So anyone want to talk about pushrods for my build?

I know the stock 3.4 and 3400/3500 one's won't work and that I will either need a custom set through Ben or I might get lucky and be able to use the genII pushrods.

So how can I find out if the Gen II set will work for me?

I have the specs for my cam on hand (Comp custom that John created for me) but I'm almost positive I read that the specs don't help to figure out pushrod length and the only way to check is by measuring. Well I'm trying my darndest not to have to pull the cam when the time comes.

So what are my options? Put everything together and check with an adj pushrod? Or perhaps John has a way to figure out what I will need since he knows my cam more than anyone else.

Just for a refresh, the setup is :

3500 heads (ls6 springs, ls1 seats, 2.2 stem seals) on a 3.4 block & 3.4 head gaskets, stock 3500 rocker arms, and my iron head cam specs: (.451/.456 - Dur @ .50 224/230)- 109 LSA 274/270 advertised.

[tkoforpresident]

does anyone know of a particular vehicle/platform that had both the 3400 and 3500 motor?


Basically, I want to buy a haynes manual for both the 3400 and 3500 but was hoping instead of having to buy TWO of them maybe there was a single manual I could buy that contained information on both motors.

I think you guys will understand what I'm getting at here.

[bszopi]

How much are Haynes manuals? IMHO, I would get a subscription to AllData, and buy it for a 3400 car, then add an additional car for an additional fee. AllData is going to provide MUCH better information that a Haynes manual will. I think the standard 1-yr subscription is $30 for a vehicle, and then $20 for each additional vehicle.

[robertisaar]

haynes = total FTL

alldata/mitchell for electronic versions, or the FSMs if you like paper.

[tkoforpresident]

wow I didn't know haynes manuals were so universally hated. I've used the one for my firebird for many years with decent results.

Brad, they are usually ~ 25$ or more for one.

I really just need installation instructions for the 3500 heads, LIM, rocker arms etc. and for the 3400 intake,tb & etc.

I could probably just ask these procedures when the time comes and save some money but I could save you guys a lot of headache by buying them

Then again, how do I even know if the manual that I buy is up to date with all the new "installation procedures" that keep the gaskets from leaking over time?

[bszopi]

Brad, they are usually ~ 25$ or more for one.

Seems like Alldata is in the ballpark, and is much more specific to year, model, engine, etc...

Then again, how do I even know if the manual that I buy is up to date with all the new "installation procedures" that keep the gaskets from leaking over time?

Alldata stays up to date on all of this, usually via TSBs and the like.

[bszopi]

Actual pricing for Alldata is as follows:

1-year subscription: $26.95 for first vehicle, $16.95 for each additional vehicle
5-year subscription: $44.95 for first vehicle, $29.95 for each additional vehicle

[tkoforpresident]

Well I'm sold.

When the time comes I'll get both the 3400 and 3500 data manuals.

[tkoforpresident]

Progress is slow, still haven't touched the UIM and LIM yet. I want to get the upper grinded, cleaned, and painted by the end of the month and have the LIM tapped and cleaned by then as well. I probably won't paint the Lower but I'll wait to see how it looks when the upper is done.

Will hopefully have pics soon! I promise not to dissapoint!

[tkoforpresident]

going over right now to work on the intakes....

[tkoforpresident]

Here is a pic of the thread that I tapped into the LIM.






I think I ended up with about 9-10 threads left on the tap. Is that good enough? It was getting very difficult to hold the intake and turn the tap towards the end and I was turning so hard that I felt like I was going to break something. So I stopped there just to be safe.

How can I find out if it's good enough? Should I buy the 1/2"-3/8" reducer and see how it feels threading it in?


Let me know what you think, thanks.

Btw Marc, thanks for the tips regarding the wd-40 and 6 point socket. I used them both.

[TechRod]

Looks like you need to keep working it, the more times you run the tap in and out the cleaner/smoother it will get.