So the Eagle rotating assembly finally came in, and now I have a short block. With my KB flat tops, they perscribe a piston to head clearance of 0.040" to achieve optimal quench. With a dial gauge and magnetic stand, I determined my pistons were in the hole 5-15 thousandths, so I went with a 30 thousandths compressed thickness head gasket, which puts me at 35-45 quench.

Timing vover, fuel pump, cam and lifters went on quick. NOTE: this 89' truck block was a flat tappet cam, but all the shop needed to do was tap the holes for the dog bone retainer in the bosses that were already there.

When I went to put on the 2nd head, I noticed the #4 exhaust wasn't seating completely, which was the cylinder where I threw the rod on the last build. With the head bolted on with gasket, I put my thumb over the spark plug hole and cranked it over by hand; zero compression. MY guess is when the rod broke loose, it smacked the valve. So I'm having the new valve overnighted to the shop and they will replace it and the valve guide, which I hope they tell me is all the head needs.

IN the mean time, my buddy offered to help pull the tranny, which is out, and I verified my pinnout, and added a jumper for the 2nd o2 signal to close out the wiring.

I should have the head back this week and have her in this weekend.


Block from the truck: bored 0.040" over, line honed, Eagle crank/rods, KB piston, King bearings, balanced and installed by the trusted local engine shop




He even tapped and threaded a stud into the main ARP stud for the oil pickup; was a nice touch. Courtesy coat of paint.




Long block. I'm going to the stoock upper-lower and 19#/hr injectors, with stock MAF TB and MAF housing hoping to be streetable after break in

 

Well I got her in and running. A few issues that I'm working out on another thread I started, but for now at least she runs.




Here's a clip of first startup. When I have it running right I'll follow up with a walkaround, startup, and commentary.


In closing, I set out to take on this project and prove to myself that with the right planing, patience, and attention to detail, along with the help of this awesome community, this can be done!!! I still have a CEL and pinging issue, but it is drivable now. Anyone on the fence about doing an engine swap or build on these trucks, go for it! Although I had a catastrophic failure along the way, its still fun and I enjoy having something to think about all the time. I'll check in when it's running right and can be drove like it was meant to!!!

Thanks to everyone at FTE!!!

-Glaser67

 

Well it's been a couple weeks since I got the EFI running just right. The issue I had with backfiring and sluggishness was that I had a dead #7 cylender, which I traced back to the pinout not being into the ECM connector all the way. The air moving through the head tripped the O2 sensor which enriched the mixture to compensate, costing more power. Now she pulls harder than ever all the way through the powerband from 2,000-5,000 RPM.

My thoughts on the MAF conversation are that it is well worth the work, and it drives like a whole new truck. The main difference I've noticed (and this may be a result of the build; cam, exhaust, heads) is there is truly more power at lower RPM's. At 1,500 RPM's in 4th gear I just give it some throttle and she goes. Less downshifting. There is more feel throughout the throttle range. I did notice that there can me a 1-2 second delay on part throttle pulls, which I tribute to the MAF needing to register the air flow. Mileage has improved dramatically, again, may be due to the build and not MAF.

Even if you aren't planning on doing a complete engine build with new heads, cam, exhauste, ect, I would highly recommend converting to MAF.

Thanks again to this great community for all of your help and support!

-Glaser 67

 

Don't know how I missed the update. Awesome news, I'll bet the power and mileage increase is from the build. A better cam and tighter quench lead to a more efficient engine, and the maf compliments the build. As the miles rack up, and the rings seat better, both power and mileage SHOULD go up some more.

 

Engine sounds great. Good job.