Upgraded SS +1.5 Valves & Mild Cam Head Gasket Rebuild Thread

[eric90503]

A couple things lead up to this decision to do a HG rebuild. @125k on my 97' 40th I was experiencing a pesky P401 that I could not diagnose, for months. Probably the worst thing to do is throw the kitchen sink at it. So here we are let's waste some money. Throwing the kitchen sink at it...
But in all seriousness, being that our aging vehicles are turning into more of a "vintage" vehicle. I wanted to do it once and be done. Plus this is preparation for FI. So while we are in there, lets *cough* waste some money

Got most of the bulk of the parts in. Just waiting for the Cometic MLX HG to come it. My 2weeks is turning into more like 4.

 

[eric90503]

I tried to send out parts to different vendors to multitask in hopes to save time. But we know how that goes
Jet Hotting the Ex. Manifolds, heat shields, coolant tube and air cleaner. HP PS hose rebuild, homework on what head upgrades
to do while not pissing the stock ecu off. Having motivation these days

and just not enough time in the day I elected to go with Miyaki Motorsports in El Monte, CA per mud recommendations, thank you. These guys are awesome.

Compression good all across, and crosshatching still visible.

 

[LXDOC]

If you plan to use the MLX , you will need to have the block deck finished to a Ra 30-50 per their recommendation.If you plan to use that block with the deck in that condition, the Toyota head gasket would be a safer choice for proper sealing. If the used head is within spec for flatness, it may be able to be refinished to a similar Ra without removing too much material.

 

[White Stripe]

May as well have the head port and polished too.

 

[eric90503]

If you plan to use the MLX , you will need to have the block deck finished to a Ra 30-50 per their recommendation.If you plan to use that block with the deck in that condition, the Toyota head gasket would be a safer choice for proper sealing. If the used head is within spec for flatness, it may be able to be refinished to a similar Ra without removing too much material.

Thanks for the heads up and good looking out. Head was straight, will further inspect the block next week.

 

[eric90503]

May as well have the head port and polished too.

Thought about that but mostly went with short side radiusing work as well as some bowl work. I think anything more with my cam profile might be really throwing money away. What I should have done was get a FI 200 with 3.0 kings and call it a day. I realized over the years I don't like stacking rocks like I thought I did, lol.

 

[eric90503]

Head checked out. Going with some ovate beehive #80 springs

 

[eric90503]

Springs and Valves are

standing by

 

[eric90503]

While waiting to get the head and cam specs finalized. Made some time to hit the valve cover and intake manifold. Couldn't decide on how to finish the valve cover. I've seen a lot of nice looking powder coated valve covers from other members. However, I wanted something that was going hold up it's looks and take an occasional blast of break clean here and there. I've had great results before with type III hard ano, but my finishers didn't want to touch cast AL so that idea was out. Plus I didn't really feel like drilling out the fasteners on the baffle. SO, had the pieces blasted for a natural look.
First time experimenting with Sharkhide. I guess quite a few people use it on their AL boats to keep em' fresher for a while. Not sure how it'll do on an engine. I guess time will tell...

 

[PeterTheBeater]

this might be the blueprint for when i rebuild mine, unless i diesel swap it haha

 

[eric90503]

this might be the blueprint for when i rebuild mine, unless i diesel swap it haha

I'd wait until the motor is up and running. To my knowledge there hasn't been anyone on mud that has installed and documented a mild cam upgrade with the stock ecu yet. I'm sure there has to have been, just not documented. I've earnestly searched for a couple years, perhaps my search fu sux. Got tired of waiting and almost wussed out by going the safe stock route. I guess I'll be the guinea pig

 

[BILT4ME]

Can you advise stock cam specs as well as the new cam specs?

 

[eric90503]

Can you advise stock cam specs as well as the new cam specs?

Not an expert but this is a ultra mild custom shop grind from Steves Machine Shop. Lmk what you guys think!

 

[eric90503]

Short side radiusing and some bowl work performed.

 

[rdcnj]

Absolutely loving this and the blueprint to help others do it.

This has been on my mind for when that day might come. Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[eric90503]

Absolutely loving this and the blueprint to help others do it.

This has been on my mind for when that day might come. Thanks for sharing your experience.

You are quite welcome buddy. Same here, been on my mind since I picked up this 97' money pit, fixing stuff when it ain't broke, and calling it PM, lol...
Got tired of wondering about the ideal, what I could do better "while I'm in there" question. This is my version.

IMHO our 80's are like victorinox multi-tools, pretty solid, does almost everything, but nothing awesome. One particular area that I'd like to improve upon is the power output. My goal is to not go standalone (for now), but free up the breathing a little with the help of mild head cleanup in areas that need it most. Upgrade the valves in anticipation for FI, if that option were to be available. And finally ride the line with the bumpstick without throwing a CEL. I don't know where that line is, so we shall see. Could be a total flop. Not looking for a lot, just a little bump.

 

[Saito]

There was another thread here where someone had factory cams reground(lowered the base circle for more lift and changed lobe profile) by a US company for about half the cost of an aftermarket set . . .I’d have to look for it. Don’t recall where it ended up.

 

[eric90503]

There was another thread here where someone had factory cams reground(lowered the base circle for more lift and changed lobe profile) by a US company for about half the cost of an aftermarket set . . .I’d have to look for it. Don’t recall where it ended up.

I believe your talking about Thetoyotaman here on mud. Fine gentleman, had some important obligations to attend to, so his project had to take a little hiatus. He was going with Schneider cams and Manley valves. I went with the same valves but just +1.5mm dished on both sides. I was going to go with the same cam profile from Schneider but went with a grind that Steves Machine had suggested. The Schneider grind was a 248F. Supposedly it was/is popular in the UAE for their stock division class. In what race, IDK. Would love to find out.

My question to Schneider and others cam mfgs here and abroad was, would it be to much for the stock ecu. I either got no response or IDK.

I forgot to mention that my valvetrain weight was shaved almost 40-50%. I didn't know this was going to happen but my head builder swapped out my stock lifters to Nissan GTR lifters. Will have to take some pics and measurements.

 

[Saito]

Hmmmm. Curious what you mean by ‘lifters’ when we’ve got overhead cams ? ? Direct lobe impingement on the valve(or rather the shim/bucket or whatever you want to call it). But I like how you’re running ovate beehive springs. I’m also wanting to go that route. Weight reduction is usually a good thing.

 

[Saito]

And yup. That’s who I was talking about. Schneider isn’t a cam company that immediately comes to mind(cuz I’m a Chevy guy too and have mostly messed with small blocks).