Engine Internal Specs

general_lee_jr · Post by **general_lee_jr** » Wed May 05, 2004 4:31 pm

I am going to build another one from my spare parts from all my other old engines. How can I tell if the following items are within spec:

Lifters
Cam

All parts are stock.

I also have a used case that is going to get alighn bored. This will be its first and last cut. What all should I have done to this case to make sure it is good to go. Thanks, Brad

Post by **Marc** » Thu May 06, 2004 8:13 am

You should never use lifters over unless they'll be in the same position on the same cam in the same case, and then only if they're still convex (place a straightedge across the face and hold up to the light, if you see any light at the center they're starting to turn into bird-baths and shouldn't be reused).
I can't describe how to judge the condition of a cam, I'd have to have it in my hands - but if there is any pitting on the ramps or obvious wear at the nose of the lobes, it's not good.
It's getting harder & harder to find cases that are worth the trouble to linebore (they are all about 30 years old these days). Some, like H5 and B5s, aren't even worth the time to inspect IMO because of the inferior alloy from which they are cast....by the time you make them buildable the machinework bill is over half of the cost of a new one, and they're still liable to crack. What's the number on the one you want to use?

general_lee_jr · Post by **general_lee_jr** » Thu May 06, 2004 4:49 pm

I will have to drop an email to the guy to find out. The cam and the lifters came out of the same engine and they are labeled from which holes they came out of and stuck in the top of a shoe box. I will post once I find out for sure what kind of case it is. Thanks, Marc

general_lee_jr · Post by **general_lee_jr** » Sat May 08, 2004 5:10 am

It was a H case from a 1500 I believe.

Post by **Marc** » Sat May 08, 2004 7:37 am

An H0 (1967 1500) might be worth the effort. Should still be inserted and linebored/thrust-cut/decked as req'd, when done it'll still be a small-passage case and shouldn't be used for anything bigger than a mild 1600SP (better yet, a 1300 or 1500SP).
If it's an H5 there's no amount of machinework that'll keep it from cracking/warping, if you can't jam it back together as a zero-budget trashmo pull the studs out of it and toss the rest.

Sharkey · Post by **Sharkey** » Sat May 08, 2004 8:40 am

general_lee_jr wrote:I will have to drop an email to the guy to find out. The cam and the lifters came out of the same engine and they are labeled from which holes they came out of and stuck in the top of a shoe box. I will post once I find out for sure what kind of case it is. Thanks, Marc

If you put everything back in the same case, you'll be OK, but if you install those lifters and cam in a different case (even with the lifters in the correct bores), you cannot guarantee proper lifter-to-lobe contact. Personally, I wouldn't reuse 'em.

VGM · Post by **VGM** » Sat May 08, 2004 8:56 am

My story:
I put together a sweep the floor motor.I ran an H case small oil passage case with a modified big tube pick up and clearanced oil pump intake with full flow oiling and a CB mini sump w/o the filter as an 1835 with stock crank balanced,Scat I beams, 10:1 cr 45 DRLAs 40x35.5 ported heads W125 cam,1-5/8 merged header.I was sure it would blow up the first week.It ran on pump gas with 25 degrees timing for 15000 miles over 1 1/2 years on the freeway and around town and I thought I was really putting one over on conventional wisdom about the early small oil passage cases not be good for performance engines because this was the most fun I had with any Bug ever.
Then one cold winter night....
Upon disassembly the bearings were perfect,the crank was flawless.It all went back together into a new small stud case.But that H case CRACKED down the bell housing and into the oil galley plug like they ALL will.They will make you sorry!
Pull the studs and donate the carcuss to the Boy scouts for thier next big blaze of glory bon fire.The cops always show up at these around here- a good time for everyone!

general_lee_jr · Post by **general_lee_jr** » Sun May 09, 2004 6:54 am

Thanks for all the info.