Update on the engine build.
After waiting 10 weeks for Manley to ship out valves Nathan put a bug in their ear. Apparaently, “The Guy” at Manley who does this particular machining proceedure had been out on medical leave and hadn’t returned which is why we still hadn’t received our 4-6 week lead time order. We were told that it would be another 6-8 weeks before the order would be filled. We decided to have the valves shipped raw and Nathan would finish the machining on the stems. Manley shipped the valves and when they arrived the work had been completed. No explanation from Manley…
So the work will begin with putting the heads back in good order this week. A crack repair in one area, new 11/32’ bronze guides to be cut down and fitted. At a minimum one valve seat must have a replacement. I had been warned that the castings are quite thin around the original seats and that new seats may make the castings porous. At this point we don’t have an option. The other head had previously had a full set of seats installed. It had a clean bill of health with the pressure test. I passed the word into Nathan and once the head has been sonic checked we can go forward. ARP T washers will be installed in every head bolt hole to effect repairs to the casting damage from repeated servicing. Once the valves are fitted and their height verified springs and retainers will be ordered to accommodate our cam choice.
We have the Comp .700 roller cam, Crower roller lifters, and Harland Sharpe Diamond Series roller rockers (built to our 1.75 x 7/16” spec.) at the house.
I haven’t ordered the stroker kit yet. Finding a piston manufacturer has been elusive. Ross has been the only company to get back with me for Z-11 pistons. I had a conversation with Rob Walden just as he was heading out the door for Dragway 42 409 event a month ago to discuss having him assemble a 480 kit for me to drop into place He has a piston shop he uses for all their custom work.
In the meantime, I have been in negotiation for some genuine Z-11 engine parts so that I can eventually build a stock short block. The second reason for buying up this stuff is to actually have a piston as a basis to pattern off of for the stroker build. I will expand on this when the package deal is finalize.
As soon as the heads are done and I can get them home they will be mocked up along with the cam to determine push rod length so that they can be ordered. That will finish the parts needs for the top end.