400 Rebuild Round 2
#76
11-02-2015, 07:39 AM
Posting Legend
Two things here:
1) Tim Meyer is the best guy to go to for the parts you need on these engines. I bought nearly everything from him. He will match Summit and Jegs. I did not waste his time. I saved my money until I was ready to pull the trigger, then I called Tim, e-mailed him my specifics, and waited for him to call me back. When he called back, I wrote down the questions I had and he helped me make good decisions for my build. I respected his time and gave him my business and money.
In return, he gave me great advice and when I was shimming my Scorpion roller rockers and checking my roller-on-valve stem alignment and calculating rod length, Tim Face-Timed with me (in real time) on a Saturday so I got it right. Now THAT is personal customer service like I have never seen before from any vendor! Bear in mind that I bought my stuff from him and did not dis-respect him or his time by asking him to help me but not giving him business.
If we want to keep small businessmen like Tim operating and available for all of our benefit, we need to support them with our wallet. It is worth the slightly longer wait vs. shopping at the big box stores, and you make a friend in the process.
2) On the ignition topic: Either stay 100% DuraSpark, or go with a COMPLETE aftermarket setup. Do NOT try a GM HEI ignition or a distributor with built-in ignition control...they lack adequate discharge power vs. the DuraSpark and they are not reliable.
I tried an MSD Pro Billet all-in-one and could not figure out why the car would die at idle, sputter on shutdown, ping on acceleration, and run like crap after my epic rebuild. It was the lack of quality ignition spark. I added the MSD digital ignition box and all was well. It runs great now...but my point is now it runs as good as the OEM DuraSpark system ran!
The advantages in going aftermarket are the good looks, billet parts, easier curve-advance and timing stop bushing changes, and multiple-spark discharge, but it is costly. So either stay 100% OEM or go all-in if you go aftermarket. I have not used Accel, Mallory or others, only MSD, but that is my experience.
Shane
1) Tim Meyer is the best guy to go to for the parts you need on these engines. I bought nearly everything from him. He will match Summit and Jegs. I did not waste his time. I saved my money until I was ready to pull the trigger, then I called Tim, e-mailed him my specifics, and waited for him to call me back. When he called back, I wrote down the questions I had and he helped me make good decisions for my build. I respected his time and gave him my business and money.
In return, he gave me great advice and when I was shimming my Scorpion roller rockers and checking my roller-on-valve stem alignment and calculating rod length, Tim Face-Timed with me (in real time) on a Saturday so I got it right. Now THAT is personal customer service like I have never seen before from any vendor! Bear in mind that I bought my stuff from him and did not dis-respect him or his time by asking him to help me but not giving him business.
If we want to keep small businessmen like Tim operating and available for all of our benefit, we need to support them with our wallet. It is worth the slightly longer wait vs. shopping at the big box stores, and you make a friend in the process.
2) On the ignition topic: Either stay 100% DuraSpark, or go with a COMPLETE aftermarket setup. Do NOT try a GM HEI ignition or a distributor with built-in ignition control...they lack adequate discharge power vs. the DuraSpark and they are not reliable.
I tried an MSD Pro Billet all-in-one and could not figure out why the car would die at idle, sputter on shutdown, ping on acceleration, and run like crap after my epic rebuild. It was the lack of quality ignition spark. I added the MSD digital ignition box and all was well. It runs great now...but my point is now it runs as good as the OEM DuraSpark system ran!
The advantages in going aftermarket are the good looks, billet parts, easier curve-advance and timing stop bushing changes, and multiple-spark discharge, but it is costly. So either stay 100% OEM or go all-in if you go aftermarket. I have not used Accel, Mallory or others, only MSD, but that is my experience.
Shane
#79
12-13-2015, 08:05 PM
Posting Legend
#81
12-14-2015, 01:44 AM
Not really wanting a ton of power. Would it be nice? Yes but the primary use of this truck will be to drive a few hundred miles up north every now and then. I want better compression and do not want to waste money on rebuilding my heads. I'm leaning toward the aussie heads. I also will be buying tims pistons his low end ones and I don't know if they are compatible with the aussie head's. Honestly what ever is cheaper and will be reliable and realistic for my needs.
#82
12-14-2015, 11:41 PM
#83
12-15-2015, 11:29 PM
Yeah after reading around I decided to just get mine professional references done. From what I see , they are just fine for what I need. I just couldn't get over the thought of putting that amount of cash into them smog heads. But I already have them and they are straight not warped just need probably valves and valve job , removal of smog bumps. If the cost gets up there I'll add tims rebuilt heads to my order. I will get a quote tomorrow for valve job and if needs guides, and all that good stuff.
#84
02-18-2016, 11:06 PM
#85
02-19-2016, 07:42 AM
Posting Legend
#86
04-20-2016, 04:01 PM
#87
04-20-2016, 04:15 PM
Posting Legend
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