F-Body Europe

This project has been taking for ever, hell i think some people didn't even take me seriously anymore (can't blame them) but it's time.
This summer the 3.4 will be ditched and the LT-1 will go in.

Just invested my hazard pay (current Army tour) into mods and parts and it's gonna be lovely.
I'll be home around half of April and i'll start taking that Bad Boy (LT1) apart. Yes a complete rebuild down to the very last gasket and a completely new Rotating assembly including crank, forged pistons and Forged rods.
No, not a 383 just a high compression 350 with the proper heads and cam to match it.
It's gonna be a very healthy 350 that should keep me happy for the coming years plus it will be as good as new as pretty much everything will be replaced with new parts (Wires, plugs, elec wtarepump, headers, clutch, coil, ignition, gaskets, bearings, injectors, yes all NEW).

Finally got myself a K-member aswell as that was a backbreaker which was one of the reason that put this project on hold.

Even got myself a LT1/LT4 rebuild manual and i bought myself an engine stand so i can work on it and rotate it.

Have been really slacking these past 3 years as far as the Fbody is concerned and have been kinda busy building my new 4 cyl 16V Turbo VW engine for my Rallye Golf, learned quite a bit (especially how expensive European engines can be) but it ignited the rush that has got me going again and currently i'm back in FULL effect, even stronger than it ever was as i'm 101% certain i will manage and get it working
Got the wiring figured out so that is not gonna be an issue plus i got the A/C system down and figured out (wiring, electronics) so i can do that aswell (always missed A/C).

Yes, it gives me great pleasure to tell you i'm back and highly motivated and i'm sure that even at this point i can surely help out with most LT1 subject as i've been reading up quite a bit these past few months as it was the only thing i could do in my spare time during this tour.

Would btw love to meet any other Dutch LT1 owner as i never seem to meet them, enthousiasts that is as most Z28 owners just own and drive the car but never seem to work on it or care much about it.

Thanks for reading, it must have been quite a novel

Welcome back ... maybe you can even make it over to the other folks in Germany for an FBE or Bitburg meet

Hey Sergio
Glad to hear your doing good and know where the board is.

hi Sergio, reads like you got all under control, maybe you manage a cruise down to us this summer.

I will certainly will !
I'll have to pick up half a car anyway so i'll be in Germany this spring/summer at least one or twice just to haul all the parts back.

Looking forward to a meeting as it's been a long time since i met some of y'all and it's always nice to meet people who i haven't met before.

I do have everything under control as far as the project goes (at this point), however i wish i could say the same for my bank account.
Man, i'm SURE i have the MOST expensive Ex-V6 Camaro in the world, hands down

Some pics showing my progress:

I guess the robbers didn't get the engine after all.

So how did you get that engine? Can't wait to see the finished product w/ pics! Are you coming down this wkend?

No, sorry can't make it this weekend ... Can't leave for another just yet after having been away for 7 months, just can't justify it this time, sorry.

And yes Roy, they didn't get the engine but so far i haven't found my new engine stand yet, it was still boxed up so i guess they nicked that too when they stole my MTB out of that shed.
The LT1 itself was virtually invisible with all the junk i had on it plus i'd love to see them carry a 700 pound pallet package over a 7 feet wooden fence......

I'm dtill pissed though cause i miss that bike and the stand is preventing me from removing the internals, guess i have to order a new one now

And the story continues ...
As you can see the block is half a day of work away from bringing it to the machine shop (just need to remove some freeze plugs, oil cooler assembly, Oil canal bearing ball, some bolts, dowel pins, etc.












Today i took the time to clear the ENTIRE shed as i was missing a part of my SLP Loudmouth exhaust. I just had the resonator section and the drivers side tip + bending (cut it for shipping), i was missing the y pipe piece bending over the axle + passenger side tip.

Well no need to look further as it's NOT in the shed anymore and it seems that that was stolen Also when they took away my MTB and new Engine stand.

Can a Rotweiler stay outside in a doghouse all year round ????

Btw, never knew that these LT1's were equiped with Mahle piston's ....
That what i found in my LT1, i was surprised to say the least !

Hopefully you can get the missing stuff replaced soon.

They aren't equipped w/ Mahle pistons. That blocks been worked on.
I like how you took the whole engine apart w/out a stand but some how managed to keep the filter on! LOL!

Gonna be sweet when it's all said and done.

The filter i kept there for a purpose as it held that block in balance on that pallet, it kinda acted as a support and preventing that block from rolling over at times.

Been worked on huh ? Oh my Sweet Jesus, gonna measure those Mahle piston's right now cause if that blocks bored (0.30) i'm gonna throw a fit !

Brb

Phew, what a relief ...... Exactly 10.16mm (4.000")

Well that's good news. But those pistons aren't stock. Hyperkinetic KB's are supposed to be in there.

What's the latest on the rebuild?

Block is the same at this moment.
Started working again so i'm away during the weekdays.
Greased it all with engine oil to give corrosion no chance.
I'll continue stripping the very last bits this weekend.

At the end of this month it will be brought to the machine shop for decking, washing, removal of cam bearings and plateau honing.
After that i'll paint it and start rebuilding it once i have the parts.

So far it's looking good and going quite well.

Did damage some items in the process like the dipstick handle (plastic), oil level sensor (removal required BEFORE removing oil pan), Oil pressure sensor and the watertemp sensor (located front in waterpump).
But other than that it was good fun.

Hm, aftermarket pistons huh ? Okay the engine had a rebuild, no wonder the cilinderwalls still showed the honing swirls and were in new condition, not too mention the head gasket that looks like new.

If you broke the dipstick tube I've got a spare that just came in. I only needed the dipstick but ordered the both.

I broke the plastic handle that's on top of the actual metal stick.
The tube (in which the dipstick goes) is still fine.
So, right now i have a good tube in which i can insert the stick but would pliers to pull it out.

Dang. That's the same thing I did.