3.4L Build Help.

[Turbodime]

I'm in the planning stages of building a 3.4L and need some info.
First off the engine will be ran on propane and will be installed in the RWD position.
These are my wants for the build.

11.0:1-11.5:1 CR.(LPG 105-110 octane)
Gen III heads and intake.
Needs to have a Dizzy.
1.6 SB roller rockers.
3.4L or 3400 block?
The Crane "H-272-2" PowerMax camshaft.

Can the 3400 with the top intake reversed be setup with a distributor?

Is there a hole for the distributor in the 3400 block and will a aftermarket cam fit?

I have seen in some posts that the distributor will interfere with the intake if it is used with a 3x00 intake manifold,is this true if so can the intake be modified to let the distributor fit?

Also I'm trying to locate the following specs.

Iron and Aluminum head gasket thickness and bore.
3.4L and 3400 piston CC.

With these numbers I can get a rough estimate of the 11.0:1CR I need.

[Guest]

Re: 3.4L Build Help.

I'm in the planning stages of building a 3.4L and need some info.
First off the engine will be ran on propane and will be installed in the RWD position.
These are my wants for the build.

11.0:1-11.5:1 CR.(LPG 105-110 octane)
Gen III heads and intake.
Needs to have a Dizzy.
1.6 SB roller rockers.
3.4L or 3400 block?
The Crane "H-272-2" PowerMax camshaft.

Can the 3400 with the top intake reversed be setup with a distributor?

No, the #6 intake runner (when the intake is turned around), is what interferes with a dizzy.

Is there a hole for the distributor in the 3400 block and will a aftermarket cam fit?

Yes, and yes, but you will have to use flat tappet lifters (in most cases), as this is what the 272 uses. You will also have to switch to a genI or genII timing set, since the genIII uses a single bolt to hold the timing gear on.

I have seen in some posts that the distributor will interfere with the intake if it is used with a 3x00 intake manifold,is this true if so can the intake be modified to let the distributor fit?

See answer #1

Also I'm trying to locate the following specs.

Iron and Aluminum head gasket thickness and bore.
3.4L and 3400 piston CC.

With these numbers I can get a rough estimate of the 11.0:1CR I need.

Compressed thickness:
Iron head .040"
aluminium head .060"
I'm not sure which pistons you will be able to use, since using a 3.4 SFI piston gives you a 13:1 or so SCR, check into all variants of pistons, DOHC, 3.4 SFI, and custom. Using 3400 pistons will yealid an SCR of 9.6:1, and using thinner gaskets is not reccomended, due to the fact that the genIII pistins sit proud of the block at TDC, by about .020"
I don't remember the gasket bores off hand though.

[SappySE107]

A few members here have ran 12-12.5:1 compression on pump gas, so you may be able to push the compression a bit more with your setup. Of course, the cam will matter so as long as its something more than mild, you will be ok. Stock spark advance was used with very little knock detected on 1 car, and nothing detect on the other that i have scanned. That was using aluminum heads.

[Turbodime]

Thanks for the info.
Do all the 3.4L blocks have roller lifters?
Looks like I'll have to go with crank fire ignition.
If I used a 3.4L short block,Gen III head & intake,iron headgasket .060 I should be close to my 11.5:1CR?
Any members that have 3.1 or 3.4 engines that are in the neighborhood of 11.5:1CR?
Anyone running solid roller lifters?
I maybe asking questions that have been answered many times over,if so please direct me to a thread that has the info I need.
Awhile back I found a website discussing splayed valve heads fitted to a 3.4L Camaro anyone know this site.

[SappySE107]

Curtis (turboz24) runs solid rollers. Only the gen 3s are roller stock and you can't run hydraulic roller on the older blocks AFAIK.

[geoffinbc]

You cant run a 3400 block in an s-10 (im asuming thats what you have since you name has "dime" in it)

The 3400 block will not mount up. You will need to use a 3.4L block which will accept any aftermarket cam.

[SappySE107]

Why wont it mount up? Only problem I know of to start with is the starter. If its a motor mount, that can be made.

[geoffinbc]

True enough a mount could be made. But the starter is also a big issue. Although I supose if you found a bellhousing or tranny for an Isuzu trooper you could leave the starter on the wrong side or else you can drill and tap the block on the other side. But wasent there an issue about not having enough meat on the other side of the block? I dont know maybe that was another engine I can remember.

All problems can be overcome but starting with a 3.4L block is a direct drop in. Plus with the cam he has chosen it makes no difference because he no longer needs a 3400 to support a roller cam.

[Turbodime]

The engine will be going into a '73 Datsun 510.
After thinking it over I plan to use the 3.4L block.

Does any one have the head gasket bore diameter measurement for the .040 and .060 gaskets?
Does the 3.4l piston height below or above the deck,anyone have a measurement.
Thanks,Aaron

[evilmiata]

The engine will be going into a '73 Datsun 510.

Sweet! Like this? ttp://www.bryanf.com/cars.htm Scroll down to the last 510 on the page.

[Turbodime]

Yep. That link didn't work. The twin turbo 2.8l was a monster. It's the fifth 510 down the page. He used to have a full write up on the car with alot of pictures.

http://www.bryanf.com/cars.htm

[TurboZ24]

Speaking of the 3.1 cam in a 3100/3400. Colin and I were having a discussion about that. The 3.1 cam and the 3100/3400 cam has a few bearing section differences. We were also talking about the thrust plate and what to do with it, since it would interfere with using a 3.1 timing chain on the 3100. You would have to do some modifications (maybe just bore the thrust plate), but have to look more into that.

[BMC]

Ahh, the good 'ol days. I remember my old 1972 Datsun 510... Was a rust free car, here in Minnesota in 1992. I saw 1 other Datsun one time whilst out driving mine. They are a rare breed here now. Went to Mexico in October- 1 in every 5 cars is still a 510 or something like them! :-)

[evilmiata]

Yep. That link didn't work. The twin turbo 2.8l was a monster. It's the fifth 510 down the page. He used to have a full write up on the car with alot of pictures.
http://www.bryanf.com/cars.htm

Yeah, the writeup was the reason I saved the link. I have the same plans for my swap. http://www.cardomain.com/id/evilmiata

[BMC]

Evilmiata,
Do you know of other Miata owners using this engine for swaps? Just interested to see how many others are doing GM V6 conversions to there Miatas... I have heard of Ford V8 swaps and always wondered about our little V6 in your car.
BTW: Love your website!
-BMC.