1994 Pontiac Firebird 400 Stroker Project - Page 2

1994Firebird400 · 02-26-10, 02:50 AM

Well yesterday milled the block. Deck height is at 10.2240 now all across both banks. Also measured the bores again and they were still under spec. We also had a local machine shop bring in a sonic tester and the wall thickness is more than plenty for this block. We are going to go 30 over on the pistons even though they could cleanup at 10 over. We will bore the cylinders next thursday and the rotating assembly will be ordered on Friday! Now I have get my other 6x-4 heads disassembled and start massaging them. So by next weekend, I'll have the block bored, the rotating assembly ordered, and hopefully be half way done with the head cleanup.

Should have more pics on Tuesday for you guys!

Dave

badass69goat · 03-06-10, 10:12 PM

You might have to clearance the block a bit for the 4.5" stroke

1994Firebird400 · 03-07-10, 04:36 AM

Yep, we have already looked at that and it will be done once the kit arrives.

Thanks,

Dave

1994Firebird400 · 03-09-10, 04:39 PM

Well, Bored the block today and put a chamfer back on the top of the bore. But the best news....

I ordered my stroker kit this afternoon. Should take about 4 weeks for it to come in. After that, I just need to hone the cylinders. Heads are almost done as well (only got the exaust ports done), just waiting on some bronze liners to show up on my door then to resurface the valves and seats. Also made up some motor mounts using my 350 as a template. Just have to weld the plates to the square stock and try them out. I have another week and a half till I have to take my 350 up to be cleaned and machined. So once I get them the way I want them, I can weld them puppies to the k member. I will probably start doing the sanding and prep work in my engine bay to get it ready for paint next month. Well thats it for now.

Dave

1994Firebird400 · 03-11-10, 03:59 PM

Brought the machined block home today. Bores are all around 4.152 and are ready for the final hone once the pistons come in. Just have to run a tap through the threads and rifle brush it after its honed. Then the final washing and then on to ASSEMBLY!!! More block pics in my profile.

Dave

1994Firebird400 · 03-23-10, 07:35 PM

Received some parts this evening... Pics are in my profile. I went with an edelbrock carb only be cause Cliff has a 6-7 month waitless for a custom Q-Jet. I really aiming to have it driving around then. I would hate to be waiting for a carb to finish it up. So once I go for some better heads, I will be able to let him know 6 months in advance so I am not waiting that many months for a carb to arrive.

Enjoy,

Dave

badass69goat · 03-23-10, 08:09 PM

So is it going to be a 487 (4.5" stroke) or a 460 (4.25")?

1994Firebird400 · 03-23-10, 08:15 PM

488 if I round

!!!

Dave

1994Firebird400 · 03-30-10, 05:40 PM

Well today I finally got my liners into my heads. I just have to hone out the guides for the valves. Next tuesday, I will have the guides honed and hopefully have the seats cut. After that final cleaning then on to reassembly. Still another week for the stroker kit to arrive then I can hone the cylinders. Man I want to assemble this engine badddddd but I know it will be worth the wait!!!!!

Dave

1994Firebird400 · 04-16-10, 09:19 PM

Soooo.... UPS dropped off a nice package this afternoon!

Dave

4554thgen · 04-21-10, 09:55 PM

Very nice!

1994Firebird400 · 05-04-10, 04:01 PM

Finally got the time to reassemble the heads. The other head looks the same by the way. Spent around $110 with the only new parts being the bronze liners and valve springs. Everything else; valves, locks retainers, rotators, guideplates, and rocker studs, are being reused. Hopefully on Thursday, I'll have some fresh primer on them. I may also throw in the guideplates and studs as well.

Dave

1994Firebird400 · 06-29-10, 07:30 PM

Well been busy lately but finally did some work on the engine recently. Got the rings filed last weekend and finally hung the rods to the pistons with rings installed. Spiral locks are a PITA but once I got past the first one, it took no time at all. This weekend, I'm going to recheck all of my bearing clearances, install and degree the cam, and finish up the rest of the shortblock. Will have pictures by Monday for you guys.

Dave

gallup · 06-29-10, 08:13 PM

are ya starting to get excited yet?

1994Firebird400 · 06-29-10, 08:28 PM

Not as excited as I want to be but it is progress. I still have tons left to do!!!!!

Dave

1994Firebird400 · 06-30-10, 07:17 PM

Had time after work today to recheck the rod and main bearing clearances and they are all in specification. Is the weekend yet????

Dave

1994Firebird400 · Yesterday, 09:38 PM

Waiting on a new rear main seal. Should be here this week. Kinda pissed this is taking longer than I expected but what can you do. Better to do it right the first time than redoing it a second time, right? Hopefully, this one won't be torn!!!

Dave