Deuling's 1985 K5. "Restart thread on post #8415"

[Deuling]

Cam and lifters for a late model sbc?

Yah i didnt realize it was for a late model. But lunati has a voodoo package for like $800 for the other year ranges.

It was just a thought. Lots of opinions from all directions thrown at me over the weekend. And after watching all the hi power rigs up there, i really wouldnt mind some more ponies

 

[Deuling]

This is actually a brilliant idea. A complete roller cam retrofit package with almost everything you need to get the Patriot heads assembled.

I've never heard of the Lunati Bare Bones series but it sounds promising. If its anything like the Voodoo series, you'll love the throttle response and pure screaming redline ability! I've had 2 Voodoo shafts and love both of them. Definitely can't go wrong with a roller cam either

With this cam package, all you'd need is to do is have the heads milled, buy valve seals, and assemble the valves. Easy peasy, 50 more hp squeezy.




Oh wait I see why you really want this cam package

What kind of power gains do you think id see with adding those heads and a roller cam setup? And what kind of reliability? I cant remember why those heads went bad on you and needed milling.

 

[Deuling]

Also, while we do look fabulous.... This is the reason I have no desire to do a full vert conversion....

 

[y5mgisi]

I hate to harp on the ls, but I just have to think that's the way to go. If you are going to be into this motor a grand, I wouldn't be able to do it. I think I would have to just fix this motor cheap and then save up for a 6.0 with a cam swap and headers. That should put you about 420hp and be perfectly reliable.

That's just me.

 

[ktmoutfront]

^^^^^^^^^^^^this.

 

[Deuling]

I hate to harp on the ls, but I just have to think that's the way to go. If you are going to be into this motor a grand, I wouldn't be able to do it. I think I would have to just fix this motor cheap and then save up for a 6.0 with a cam swap and headers. That should put you about 420hp and be perfectly reliable.

That's just me.

If i pull it and its just the gasket, ill do that.

IF the head is cracked, I may just work some overtime and add some very impractical go fast for a few years


But the dune party is like a month and a half away.... I dont want to be thrashing to do an ls, plus I dont have that money. Thats alot more involved at the moment.

 

[supermotard750]

If you've already done a electric fan swap, there is a lot less involved in an LS swap then you might think

 

[Richcz28]

Don't 400s have slightly different heads than 350s?

 

[Deuling]

Just steam ports

 

[K85 Octane]

Weld the head if it has a crack, just enjoy for the season.

 

[Bowtie85]

Roller cam the some beach!!!!! Totally worth the $$$, I mean if your gonna spend it......

 

[Babaganoosh]

Ls engines come factory with rollers.

 

[Chevy305]

What kind of power gains do you think id see with adding those heads and a roller cam setup? And what kind of reliability? I cant remember why those heads went bad on you and needed milling.

I'd estimate 50hp out of the heads and cam swap. And I don't see why it wouldn't be reliable either.

The heads went bad because the engine got a little hot for a sustained amount of time. After that my truck slowly started eating coolant and you could smell it in the exhaust. I also think my super thin .025 head gaskets had something to do with it too. I was only running the incorrect cam for the valve springs I had on there too. I could have rebuilt them and run them but I said f it and got the Dart heads.

 

[y5mgisi]

Do what you want bro. I'll support you either way!

I would just get the truck on the road as quick, cheap, and easy as possible and enjoy the rest of the summer with it as is and save money from now till October to do the ls. Do the swap over winter at a leisurely pace and then have an insane dune truck for next year. Again, just me...

I think realistically, the whole ls swap would be in the $3500 range for you. Including cam, headers, tuning, etc. And would last you pert near a life time.

 

[y5mgisi]

I'm talking to the point if slapping in one of these other running motors people have offered up if your motor is just toast to spend as little time and money as possible on it for now.

 

[ashman]

Do what you want bro. I'll support you either way!

I would just get the truck on the road as quick, cheap, and easy as possible and enjoy the rest of the summer with it as is and save money from now till October to do the ls. Do the swap over winter at a leisurely pace and then have an insane dune truck for next year. Again, just me...

I think realistically, the whole ls swap would be in the $3500 range for you. Including cam, headers, tuning, etc. And would last you pert near a life time.

This seems like the best idea to me as well. If you're going to throw money at a motor, make it a modern fuel injected one.

 

[Deuling]

Yah I think at this point it will be better to bandaid this one for the summer and save up for an LS.


It was just an excuse to put those heads on this engine.

 

[folkenheath]

That cam says LT4? And it only says one duration spec and doesn't list if its advertised or at .050" lift, I am assuming advertised.

If you do decide to put anew cam in, a roller cam is definitely worth it. Also, I would go more on the lift and less on the duration. Also, make sure to check the piston to valve clearance. And lap the valves in by hand if you get those heads milled. And check the installed spring height too and shim it correctly. And don't forget a cam button and send the cam endplay, that is required with roller cam retrofits.

And whatever you do, use a piston stop and find true TDC and cut a deep notch in the timing marker or something, I'd hate to think you blew a head gasket because the timing was off. You could also do that when you degree in the new cam. ha ha

 

[FAB454]

If you are going to just put a band-aid on it, use the bar's leak one step head gasket "repair". Its the only one Ive ever seen work.

 

[Deuling]

Ordered Fel Pro Performance head gaskets, intake gaskets, and a new set of AC delco plugs. Id rather not use a sealant as id like to have some confidence in playing with it.

Hoping to just find a bad head gasket when I tear into it this weekend.


Quesiton, why do I need fancy tools to mark TDC. Cant I just move the crank back and forth and find where the piston is at its highest, with say a pair of calipers???