engine rebuild opinions

[pjoe]

I have a 73 that will hopefully be ready for a engine soon. I know what I want to do to the engine and wanted opinions from others who may have similar setups. I wont be running any smog equipment. My plan is to rebuild the engine. I'll have block and head cleaned by machine shop. Cam will be sent to Isky to be reground to stage 3. E88 Head(stock emission head..I know its not the best but its what I have) will have new valve seats, guides, outer springs, and refurbished rockers. Cylinders will be honed, not bored. Headers to a 2.5 inch exhaust with a muffler to be determined. Triple webers. Not sure on size of webers yet. Suggestions welcomed. Im thinking 40's run by an electric fuel pump. Anyway, this is basically what I'm planning on doing. This car will be a weekend car and I will probably run the hell out of it. Im not concerned about driving in traffic. Just want some opinions wether or not this combination will run right assuming everything gets tuned correctly since I'll be taking parts to machine shop hopefully this week. If you need more specifics, I'll try to provide them. Thanks.

Brian

[240260280z]

Put a ZX distributer on it for smoother high rpms.

As well, many seem to favour Mikuni carbs over webers. You may wish to research this further.

[pjoe]

Haven't given much thought to ignition yet but I'll keep that in mind. Thanks

[pjoe]

Well engines at machine shop. Hopefully this setup will work with no problems. Any other thoughts on this from anyone? This is first engine Im building on my own for the most part and hopefully Im not spending money on stuff that won't work well.

[5thhorsemann]

FWIW, While the motor is broken down I would punch her out .030 0ver and get new pistons and have the rotating assembly completely gone thur. The block would be deck ground and line honed and every bolt hole would be inspected and have the threads chased. Since you aren't going with the "worked" E31 head and a radical cam, I would stick with the round top carbs, professionally reworked, and a gucchi crank trigger ignition system.

And DEfinetly a new hi volume oil pump.

[Zforce]

Line boring is not nessesary with a deep skirt engine block, save that for a chevy. Jury is out on decking.

[5thhorsemann]

Line boring is not nessesary with a deep skirt engine block, save that for a chevy. Jury is out on decking.

Not boaring, thats for a spun bearing, line honing makes for a perfect crank install, and it's cheap. Although I have not (yet) rebuilt one of these motors.

[Walter Moore]

Personally, since the 2.4L blocks are not readily available, I wouldn't (in fact I didn't) bore out the cylinders unless the machine shop tells you they aren't round, or are worn too much to just hone. That way if someone in the future needs to rebuild the engine they will have enough material left to get the job done.

If you trust the machine shop enough to let them do the work, then talk to them about what is needed for the rebuild. Most good shops will work with you and get the job done right, because references can be the life blood of that business.

You will not end up with a flame thrower of an engine going this way, but hopefully it will end up back to its original power, and the car will run for years to come.

[cygnusx1]

I am in the process of doing the same thing with my L28ET. Since I needed new pistons, and the bores were oval by about 0.0012" I decided to go 20 over. I will keep it a stock spec rebuild otherwise. The crank is amazingly clean and within spec. I got a master engine kit from RPMrons.com, $530 with all you need for a short block rebuild. Pistons, rings, bearings, core plugs, turbo oil pump, timing kit, and gaskets/seals.

[ajmcforester]

If your going to change the intake, and cam, and you getting machine work for new seat and guides why not look at going to a larger valve out of the 280Z. Are you going to change the piston? Have you thought about using a L28 with the E88 head, the blocks are easy to find and cheap? Their harder to get but a set of Mikuni, or Solex carbs make a great setup. What type of power are you looking for?

[Travel'n Man]

Brian-

Call Dave Rebello and discuss head work with him

Call Todd Walrich at Wolf Creek Racing and discuss Mikuni's with him

These two guys are the best at what they do and will share their knowledge with you and maybe even sell you something in the process!

http://www.rebelloracing.com/

http://www.wolfcreekracing.com/

[pjoe]

Im reusing the pistons. Crank is good and round...may need a little polishing. Im trying to get a little more power than stock. I want the engine to be sound but I only want to do whats necessary since theres so much more about the car that I dont know and how much the unknowns will cost. I have the flat top carbs and if I will have to spend money on new roundtops I would just assume spend the extra for triples. Once on the road and everything sorted out, I figure I can go a little further into engine mods and will have the cam, carbs etc. The exhaust manifold was pretty well rusted out from sitting for 20 years so headers it is. I could put it back stock but I think its more fun to try to get some more power while at it. I like learning this stuff by doing as much as possible myself. I dont mind screwing stuff up in the process as long as know why and how not to do it again. My only thought on mikunis vs webers is that I personally have a problem buying carbs that arn't made anymore. Parts for them will probably get harder to find down the road I guess. I could be wrong, just my thoughts on it. As far as Dave and Todd, I guess I should call them. I just feel like I would be asking them for advice and not having them do the work but If they can sell me some webers or something that would make me feel better about it. I aprreciate all the advice and different things to think about.

Brian