Re: LA block recommendations

From: Terrible Tom (SilverEightynine@aol.com)
Date: Thu Jun 17 2004 - 01:45:23 EDT


Michael Maskalans wrote:
>
> So I've got a seemingly completely reliable 200,000 mile 1984 LA 360,
> but it's tired and underpowered.... Uses about two quarts of oil
> between changes. Judging from wet spots, a lot of that is valve cover
> leakage, but it may also be wanting front/rear main seals since the
> bottom is all wet, though I suppose that could be pan gasket too.
>
> Come to think of it, maybe I'll just change those gaskets, do a water
> pump, and wait 'till it blows up. Hmm.... Anyway, I'll continue as I'd
> intended...
>
> I'm thinking once I get garage space, rebuilding that engine will
> probably be my second big project. I'm looking for thoughts to file
> away, so here's my current list:
>
>
> magnum heads, replacement intake manifold
> - are they worth it? looks like people writing to allpar have gotten
> good results with just swapping intakes (Edelbrock Performers seem to
> have good ink), and then I would have fewer new parts, which is $good$.
>
> double roller timing set, new waterpump, oilpump, other various wear
> parts. Who knows how worn things that shouldn't be could be after 200k
> - valves, seats, lifters, pushrods, cam, rockers, ???
>
> depending on cam condition, either 1.7 rockers or a new set of
> everything with a torquey cam (big lift and short duration, like a )
>
> maybe high compression pistons - it'll be running propane which is about
> 110 octane equivalent - but I don't really want to have to beef up the
> bottom end....
>
> JBA shorties going over the frame to the outside, cats and flowmasters
> for backpressure, dump just in front of the rear wheels, and stay tucked
> above rock sliders.
>
>
>
> What would be on your list? Would you bother putting money into a 20
> year old block not noted for anything but a stupid external balancer?
> Maybe I'd be better off feeding it new gaskets and loosing the carb and
> leaving it at that.
>
> heh - research a post and get my ideas changed on me. stupid
> information always clogging my mind ;-)
>
>
>
> oh - and those of you coming to the BBQ - which truck would you rather
> see? I'm planning on the Dakota just 'cause it's got FAR better offroad
> rubber.....

I've gone round and round with this myself Mike, as I'm sure I've whined
to you about it on more than a few late nights. I've got nothing but
premag engines laying around my garage. I've pondered keeping the old
blocks, and retrofitting magnum top end parts onto the LA block. But
since there is little to gain by keeping the old block, I'm sure as hell
not worried about losing value by not having an original block. The
original block is looong gone heh.

To stick with your propane project you have two options the way I see
it. Rebuild the old LA engine - or pick up a newer - better condition
Magnum, and bolt on an Edelbrock intake manifold. They just recently
came out with an intake manifold that is designed to use a carb with the
magnums that came MPFI factory. I priced the manifolds out uh - for no
particular reason (cough) and they are no more expencive than any other
Edelbrock intake. Personally I would do that myself. Magnum engine,
carb manifold, with propane injection.

As for your rig - always great to see Christine's savior at the BBQ
again - but for the sake of being different - would love to see the Ram
charger. You would have the honor of being the first to attend a DML
BBQ with a Ram Charger!

-- 
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***** Countdown to 2004 DML BBQ (33) Days Left! *****

Terrible Tom -- AIM & Yahoo Name: SilverEightynine http://members.aol.com/silvereightynine/



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