1984 SVO Project - track car

[Bob Holmes]

I'm sure you are aware of the issues with the aux shaft/dizzy gear. You don't want in excess of 10 psi / 1000 rpm. I'd use the updated M127 pump, not the M86 varieties, and you should certainly shy away from the high pressure/high volume pumps. The M127 is a bolt in, but you'll need to modify the pickup.

Carefully inspect your gear teeth before you reinstall. If they are thinning out, they you are on the road to disaster. There are some stocks of NOS aux shafts, you'll have to inquire on SVOCOP.com. When it comes to dizzy gears, I'm not thrilled with the quality of the aftermarket stuff, but I've cryo'd some and am waiting to see if they hold up.

The oil pump drive system is the Achilles heel of these engines.

I hope you are going to run an accusump.

[milner351]

Beags - we've done it! In fact we did just that on the 302 in Marco's wagon! Push all the pistons to the top of the bores, and with two guys - you can R&R the crank with out pulling the heads!

[Beagle]

It's funny to see one like that with the pistons still in the block - something you can't do with a V-banked engine.

[odmarco]

Pulled the mains last night and replaced the main bearings and the rod bearings. Took a quick shot of what they looked like, after 95,000 miles the front bearings were pretty worn. Will take a picture of the bearings themselves later. Helps explain why i was only getting about 10psi per 1000rpm. Crank is back in; going to plastigauge tonight to check clearances.

New smaller radiator also came in. If anyone in the local Michigan area is looking for a radiator I'm selling the 28" one that is too wide for the front mount intercooler.

[odmarco]

Not sure yet; just about to order the small one. Was going to put the first one on CList to see if anyone wanted a universal fit fox mustang radiator for $150.

[milner351]

Will KMJ let you exchange the aluminum radiator for a smaller one so you can use that giant volvo intercooler?

[odmarco]

Over the weekend with help from John we were able to pull the head apart and look at the internals of the engine. Cross hatching is still visible in the cylinder walls which i hear is typical for SVO blocks. The bearings were somewhat worn, but nothing too bad so just going to do crank & rod bearing change. Car would smoke at startup, found that it had the typical valve guide seals that were not working, replaced them last night with:
Intake: E7ZZ-6571-B
Exhaust: E7ZZ-6571-A


This weekend while at a newly opened yard i found a volvo intercooler for $20; its larger than the ecoboost ones i have seen so will probably stick with this one. New bearings should be here today; with a bit of luck i'll have the engine back together by the weekend.



Cleaned up the valve cover; going to paint it.


Test fitting the Volvo intercooler:

[Bob Holmes]

Roller Ranger cam is a turd compared to a stock SVO. Its a truck cam. Only thing it has going for it is the rollers.

But, up to you. Lots of folks do it.

[odmarco]

Had a couple of hours over the weekend to work on the car and pull the engine. Amazing how easy it is to pull the itty bitty engine as compared to V8's that I'm used to.

Also located a roller ranger cam and a 3G alternator over the weekend as a few of the small upgrades.

hope to start tearing into the engine next weekend.

[milner351]

Nice work.

[odmarco]

Small update: removed the PS pump and put aside. AC system has been removed, test fit the aluminum radiator.

The radiator is sitting a bit high, will need to adjust the isolation strategy at the bottom or move the rad support about an inch down.

Have been ordering engine parts for 2 days now... fed ex/UPS guy will be busy delivering parts to my house.

[SuperBuickGuy]

Although...at least one of us should qualify that statement.

Just 'cause we have them doesn't mean that they are running.

Oh Bob, you just make it too easy - you'd have a much better job of doing the impossible, if you'd stop jumping in front of moving cars

[Bob Holmes]

Although...at least one of us should qualify that statement.

Just 'cause we have them doesn't mean that they are running.

[Bob Holmes]

And a few of us have SVOs or 2.3Ts

[TheSilverBuick]

You have found a good place for all around gearhead'edness