The Supercar Registry - Keeping Busy and needing input?

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Keeping Busy and needing input?

Well I just finished correcting a few things on my 69 Orange white stripe RS/Z28:
Carb rebuilt- check
Removed aftermarket stereo cassette & installed correct AM radio with rear speaker fader- check
Removed and correctly installed new carpeting-check

New project removal and rebuild of engine in orange with black stripe 69 RS/Z28. I have antifreeze entering cylinder #8.

The engine is ready to pull all everything is disconnected. It could be a head gasket, but two issues the engine had.... low oil pressure and somewhat of a vibration. I had the engine rebuilt by a local engine shop and it produced great HP 411 at 7100. The rub is I had normal oil pressure prior and no vibration( yes I had the flywheel & pressure plate balanced.

I was considering purchasing a "modern crate " and install. Also have the original engine rebuilt and stored.

Any suggestions? My one thinking has always been the 302 is really the only unique item to a Z28 which is the reason I have stayed with the 302.

Wouldn't the problem engine have a warranty to take it back and have them diagnose ?

As for the appearance of a 302 under the hood, any small block can be dressed to look like a 302. Honestly, a 383 would make more power at a lower rpm than the 302. If the lifter tick is important, a '70 Z, or custom grind, solid lifter cam would get that for you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Shauger (Post 1654724)

install the original engine.

^^^ this...^^^

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67since67 (Post 1654731)

^^^ this...^^^

x2

You're a crankshaft away from a 383. The carb, intake and heads will support it. As you know, I'm a big fan of the LT-1 cam

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Shauger (Post 1654724)

Well I just finished correcting a few things on my 69 Orange white stripe RS/Z28:
Carb rebuilt- check
Removed aftermarket stereo cassette & installed correct AM radio with rear speaker fader- check
Removed and correctly installed new carpeting-check

New project removal and rebuild of engine in orange with black stripe 69 RS/Z28. I have antifreeze entering cylinder #8.

The engine is ready to pull all everything is disconnected. It could be a head gasket, but two issues the engine had.... low oil pressure and somewhat of a vibration. I had the engine rebuilt by a local engine shop and it produced great HP 411 at 7100. The rub is I had normal oil pressure prior and no vibration( yes I had the flywheel & pressure plate balanced.

I was considering purchasing a "modern crate " and install. Also have the original engine rebuilt and stored.

Any suggestions? My conventional thinking has always been the 302 is really the only unique item to a Z28 which is the reason I have stayed with the 302.

Steve possibly a cracked head causing the antifreeze in cylinder 8? Worse case a cracked block? Like you stated a failed head gasket. I had a slight engine vibration years back on my 70 Chevelle SS which we traced to a bad motor mount. Love the 302 Z- Engines. Agree reason you stayed with the 302 is unique for sure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RALLY (Post 1654734)

It was rebuilt and reinstalled March 2013 and has 4.5 k miles on it. It had 492 angle heads installed and I changed back to correct dated 186s. The 186 had smaller 1.94 valves, but upgraded to 2.02. I suspect a head issue because the builder noted he ran into some issues at the time.

I considered stroking but again I wanted to feel that high reving low torque 302. Based on the dyno sheets it produced 373 lb/ft of torque. I will likely stay with the orig engine configuration. We will see.....

Everyone asks the same question about a 69 Z/28.

"Does it still have the 302?"

Change cam or compression ratio if you must, but keep that Z 302 powered!

A GM crate engine (or any reputable company) will have a warranty, and can be dressed up which you already know. With today’s poor quality of camshaft and lifter failures, you’d be way ahead of the game-driving and enjoying. Rebuilding the engine is great, but unless the machine shop can repair/replace for free if there’s a failure……

Steve, for me what makes a 1st gen Z/28 a Z/28 is the 302 engine, not the rally stripes or any other Z/28 standard or optional item. To me a Z/28 with any engine other than a real 302 is no longer a real Z/28. It doesn't have to be the original 302, just a 302 built exactly like the original would have been. My vote is to have the original engine rebuilt and put back into the car.

Put the stroker crank in the 302. Tell no one. It will out pull and rev to 7000 no problem.
AND have so much more bottom end torque