Quote:
Originally Posted by sideoiler10
1. I was surprised to find a solid roller cam and lifter set with the side oiler passages closed. Is this a potential problem?
2. What are your opinions of the Keith Black pistons? Remember, these are 15 years old. Were they reliable back in the mid nineties? How do they compare with the Diamond and Mahle pieces of today? What are the recommended pistons today?
3. The ring end gaps were pretty wide. What is the spec. on ring end gap?
4. Would I be better off scrapping/selling the above rotating assembly and going with a SCAT forged crank and rods, and new pistons, maybe with a small stroke increase?
5. How much difference should I expect in rpm response between the stock rotating assembly and a small stroker, maybe a 4.15?
|
1. Are you saying that the upper lifter passages have not been drilled? If so, it's not an optimal setup. The older non-pressure fed lifters relied on splash and they had a reputation of not lasting over 3000-3500 miles. The newer pressure fed lifters from Comp, Crower, Isky, etc., have an orifice that takes
oil pressure and helps feed the bearings to give them a longer life.
2. Are these forged? Hypereutectic? Cast? Keith Black pistons are not horrible pistons by any means. For a performance engine, I would look to a forged piston if they are not.
3. You can estimate ring gap by multiplying the bore size by about .004-.0045". That should give you an idea of where you're at. If they're a little wider than that, it's not going to hurt anything.
4. It depends on what you want and where you want to be. You will make more power with more cubic inches. However, if you want a 427, like everyone has to have, then I'd leave it alone. Is it in the budget to buy a new rotating assembly? I prefer brand new parts to 40-50 year old fatigued parts.
5. I think you'll be able to tell the difference between how zippy a stroker is compared to a stock stroke, but this can be minimized with a light rod/piston combination. The difference in "zippiness" will greatly be offset by the amount of horsepower and torque that you'll make.
I would address the camshaft issue first. If the lifter passages have not been drilled, then you're limited to a solid cam. As bad as I hate flat tappet camshafts, I would have to say that you would be better off with one unless you spend some money to have the passages gun-drilled.