Restoring the SSEi: F40 swap, HIDs, and a HY35 turbo.

[wake]

You should Will

Matt shes coming along nicely. i cant wait to ride in it again after shes back on the road and dialed in better get that windshield replaced too

[Zeik75]

Did you actually paint the valve covers white? I thought they were just extremely clean stock tan ones.

[MattStrike]

If there's one think I don't like about stock, it's the choice of color under the hood.

I like flat black, except for the engine/trans, and anything that needs to be accented (hoses don't need to be accented). White is the primary color, black is the matching secondary color. And the colorshift is for accenting the important pieces.

Wait till you see everything assembled!

[WhiteArrow3800]

Waiting...

[MattStrike]

Got the block prepped, cam installed, lifters installed, got the bearings and rings this afternoon, got the oil pan cleaned and prepped, intake manifold cleaned just needs to be prepped, welded a second O2 bung in for the wideband. Goal is to get it sealed up tomorrow. I couldn't find my camera today though, so any photos I get will be low-res.

I just need another half a set of head bolts (yeah, same price half as many bolts now), and a throttle body gasket.

[motopsyco]

coming along really nice, cant wait to see it when its done. I like the idea of color coordinating under the hood white & black to match the car.

[MattStrike]

I knew i forgot something. The rod and main cap bolts are all torque to yield. I forgot to order them.

So, I didn't get anywhere near as far as I would have liked. Pistons are installed - can anybody verify that the two tabs on the bottom of the piston head where the pin is all point to the timing chain? Just need some peace of mind that my marks that washed out were still legible. Heads are on, bearings are installed, and everything is sealed up in plastic bag to prevent moisture from getting in. I've got a load of parts that need to be cleaned and re-painted.

This week then I'll also be doing the legwork on the 3300 timing set. If that works out with only needing to machine the hole for the cam magnet, I'll be happy.

[MattStrike]

So I've been considering using the ARP studs. What machine work could possibly be needed, does the rotating assembly need to be re-balanced?

[Zeik75]

Im pretty sure that the marks on the pistons do point to the timing side. Ill check my block when i get home today just to be sure though.

[Jrs3800]

http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... uild#p4799

Yes I believe the notch points to the front of the block as well...

[Zeik75]

Just went and checked my engine and the marks do point toward the front/timing side.

[MattStrike]

Thanks guys.

To add a wrinkle, I've been hearing that nobody has had a problem re-using the TTY bolts on the crank/rod caps. In theory unless the clamp force on the studs is so high it deforms the cap it won't effect the OOR spec, and some noob who had an OOR rod blamed the studs... I'm going to have to sleep on that one. Starting to wish my dial bore gauge was more accurate than .0005" now.

[MattStrike]

So I learned a lot of interesting things about the LG7 timing set.

The cam sprocket has the same bore cut as the L67. It does need a recess cut to fit in the right spot on the cam and it needs a hole for the cam magnet. Best bet is to find a sprocket that doesn't have the three cutouts in it, and last resort is to weld it up to cut the hole.

The LG7 chain is too short - but the LG3 chain is a perfect fit.

The crank sprocket has a different chamfer, but otherwise has the same bore as the crank. It does not have the same oil pump drive as the L67.

Next is to chase down the LG7/LG3/LN3 oil pumps to see if any fit the bore in the timing cover. If that doesn't work, I'll have to chase down a LN3 timing cover and see if the bolt holes and cam hole all line up.

Getting close to a full width timing chain!

[MattStrike]

Didn't have time to get the rest of the research needed for the timing chain - I'll get to it in about 40k when I have to replace the OEM one.

However, I figure it's about time for an update!

I botched my 'first start' video - had 2 pairs of plug wires reversed (oops). Once I fixed that it fired right up.
Then I had to make a detour to Lowes to get some 10mm M6x1.0 stainless bolts - seems that I misplaced the water pump pully bolts. Of course, I was too excited to double check the belt and burned through one of my Gatorbacks...

But I made the 3 hour roadtrip home, halfway through the break-in period, without further issue.












Ugh! PB makes the videos sound muddy...
http://s1057.beta.photobucket.com/user/ ... 0.mp4.html
http://s1057.beta.photobucket.com/user/ ... b.mp4.html
http://s1057.beta.photobucket.com/user/ ... 9.mp4.html

It feels so much stronger now even though I haven't put my foot into it yet.

[yourgrandma]

Sounds so badass. Your assembly time makes me feel like such a dumb putz. It took me months to finish my motor and more months to put it in and Im still at least a few weeks away from a first start. Good work.

[MattStrike]

This wasn't my first rodeo! And I set aside solid 10hr blocks on saturday and 5-6 hours on sunday for this one. I spent more time waiting on parts in the mail I think.

[1oldman]

Love the pics and videos! thanks for posting! I see lots of looking good hard work. too bad I don't live close enough to be "under foot" - lol - BC

[SSEiMan01]

I want a cam even more now, thanks.

Seriously though it sounds amazing. Can't wait to see it in a couple weeks here!

[MattStrike]

Can't wait to see it in a couple weeks here!

Best part - no more lifter noises! And I managed to stop the leak in the power steering system, but the pump still whines.

On my way into work this morning I got to sit at a few lights. I love the way the car shakes and pulls against the brake just a tad. I also had some dude in an Eagle Talon stare at me, he looked a little jelly . It doesn't sound like it in the car, but when I went through an underpass it was nice and throaty too. It's got a nice rumble when I downshift, and it feels like it's breathing really good. I can't wait to tune it and get into boost!

[SSEiMan01]

I'm just glad it doesn't sound like Chubacca anymore.