ENGINE/TRANSMISSION

This page is for the engine, transmission, exhaust, etc. upgrades.

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New Cam, Lifters, and Timing Chain

When I was racing on January 20th ,2008, my motor started ticking really loud. I pulled the valve covers and I found that the source was from the #7 and #8 intake valves. I tried to re-adjust the valves, but it didn't help out. I am 95% sure that it is 1 or 2 lifters that have collapsed. So I will tear the motor down in a few weeks and replace them. And since I'm there anyway, I might as well put a cam and timing chain in as well.

Here are the parts:

The cam isn't that big, only 2 steps over stock, but I'm going for performance and gas mileage.

The specs on the cam are: .212 duration and .440 lift.

Here's the cam:

Here are the lifters. They are hydraulic.

I bought a Summit True Roller Double Roller timing chain.

Here's where I started.

Pulled the front end apart.

Good bye radiator and fan.

A lot has changed in this picture, I removed the carb, intake, water pump, timing chain cover, valve covers, and I am loosening the rockers. The old timing chain was very loose.

Ready to pull the old cam, lifters and push rods.

Now its ready for the new parts.

There were no visible signs of damage to the old cam, lifters, or push rods.

I found some pretty crazy stuff going on when I tore this stuff apart, including the power steering pump was only held on with 1 bolt, it has some really crazy looking motor mounts, and the grill filler reinforcment panel confirmed my idea that the car had been wrecked in the front before.

Here I have the cam, lifters, push rods and timing chain installed, and the valve have been adjusted.

Nothing like a little Chevy orange to brighten an engine compartment.

Here it all is going back together.

Ready to start.

Now its all broken in, and it runs better than ever.

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Motor Mounts:

I needed new motor mounts, so I bought some new ones for it. I took the hood off, and installed the new mounts. I had to find some new frame mounts as well, so I "borrowed" the ones off my 71 Nova. Other than that, everything went well. They actually moved my motor back and down, at least an inch in both directions.

Here its all done, except for the hood, grill, and bumper.

Grill and grill filler panel back on.

I have since installed the hood as well. I just have to re-install the bumper, and I'll be done.

I have put the car back together, and at first it ran good, but at the track it was a lot slower. I believe the motor has begun to lose compression after years of abuse.

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New Motor

I bought the motor out of my brother's Camaro Stock car. It has forged, flat top pistons, its bored .030 over, and its a well built engine.

Here it is out of the car, before I tore it down.

These are the pistons.

Here it is after I tore it down.

Here are my heads, they're 87-up sbc heads. They have been just recently rebuilt with all new parts and they should make for more power over stock.

Here I have installed the heads on the car.

I painted the motor Chevy Orange and re-painted the valve covers gloss black.

Here are the pics of the old motor removal, and the new motor install.

I went with the same cam that I put in my old motor, and upgraded to an Edelbrock Performer Air-Gap intake manifold.

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Page 1: Original Info and Pictures
Page 2-3: Engine/Transmission
Page 4-5: Suspension/Chassis
Page 6-7: Body
Page 8-9: Interior
Page 10-11: Drag Racing
Page 12: Other Pictures of my Nova
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