3rdgen Fbody with 3500 heads

[ForcedFirebird]

Finally feel like I've made some progress.





Bye-Bye distributor...









LIM doesn't clear the timing cover, but I'm getting the grinder and dremmel out today to remedy this (if it stops raining).







The cyls are in near-perfect condition, only one small score on one. Not bad for 89k miles and some of the detonation I have encountered. The cross-hatches look like they were made yesterday ...







I'm using this 3.1 to mock up the heads and make templates for the accy brackets to take to my CNC machine , while I am rebuilding the 3.4.

More pics HERE

[SappySE107]

Get the metal 3500 upper intake gaskets and port to them.

[ForcedFirebird]

Get the metal 3500 upper intake gaskets and port to them.

I was going to buy the GM top end gasket kit, I couldn't find any aftermarket for them. Where would I get the metal gaskets? Something you offer?

[ForcedFirebird]

I sem to be having trouble today trying to locate the A/C, P/S, and alternator in such a way that forward facing headers are possible.

[Superdave]

I was going to buy the GM top end gasket kit, I couldn't find any aftermarket for them. Where would I get the metal gaskets? Something you offer?

the metal ones come with the 3500 top end gasket kit. they're very nice

[ForcedFirebird]

the metal ones come with the 3500 top end gasket kit. they're very nice

Thanks. I was going to order the kit on Fri, but I just haven't had time since. I spent all day trying to figure out a way to mount these accesories

I might just have to dump the P/S, even though I hate to, but A/C is more important here in FL. I'll post some pics of my idea, maybe you guys can help me figure it out.

[ForcedFirebird]

Got the '95 pushrod guides figuerd out, and started setting up machining them tonight, they are going to work perfect.





Next I'm going to drill/tap the rocker stud to 10mm.

I ordered the gasket set, and still shopping for springs. I was bidding on a set on ebay and yesterday morning I left for work with 12m left in the auction ($29!), and two bidders came on in the last two minutes, getting them for $39 (both are used parts dealers). When they are $65 new, I don't want to spend much more than 1/2 that for used.

[SappySE107]

NICE! I didn't know it could be modified that way to clear the 3500 upper but that might be easier than grinding the head down (which does work too).

What springs are 65 new?

[ForcedFirebird]

NICE! I didn't know it could be modified that way to clear the 3500 upper but that might be easier than grinding the head down (which does work too).

What springs are 65 new?

Thanks . The partner who actually owns the shop suggested I mill the heads, but I refused.

Yellow springs are all over the place for $65-$75.

EDIT: Click here

They are about $7 or less, each, everywhere I looked.

[SappySE107]

I got too many rusty springs off ebay to consider it a good source. New in bags...with rust on them.

[ForcedFirebird]

I got too many rusty springs off ebay to consider it a good source. New in bags...with rust on them.

Thanks for the tip. What does GM charge (their parts direct catalog is still down)?

[loner666]

i have a whole set of those yellow LS6 springs if i ever get off my ass and finish removing them from the heads..PM me if you want them as i have no need for them

[NArtissimus]

Hey I got a quesion for you. I'm looking at doing a 3.4 aluminum head (LA1 FWD) into my 88 Camaro, but I'm trying to figure out what to use for an intake. I can't use my cast head 2.8 intake because it won't match the heads, and I can't use the 3.4 intake because it won't allow space for my distributor. What are you using for a distributor with that intake? And what is that intake from? Maybe I can use the same setup in my project...
Thanks, Art

[sharkey]

that is a 3500 intake. to use aluminum heads you require DIS ignition.

[ForcedFirebird]

The 3.4 has a reluctor wheel cast into the crank with a mounting location for the trigger in the block, and I'm going to hook it up to MegaSquirt.

If you mean you are planning on using the entire FWD engine, it's quite a bit more complicated than using a 3.4RWD block and 3400/3500 heads. 3500 heads will give you 11.16:1 compression (3500 gaskets) with the RWD pistons, but 3400 (FWD) pistons will work fine witrh either the 3400 or 3500 heads.