304 355" build thread

[someguy360]

Finished up the engine last night (just waiting on the sump to arrive from Outlaws) then it's ready to go in the car.

I couldn't help myself I had to dummy mount the covers and pulleys for the photos.

 

[Deuce]

Started checking oil ring gaps today.
I expected no issues, when infact it was quite educational on machining tolerances.
#7 a ring was at almost 0.017
That same ring in #3 or #1 was a tight 0.015. so possibly more like 0.0148 etc.
Math says 0.001" in diameter is equivalent to 0.00314" in circumference.
Therefore I feel I was seeing about half a thou diameter extra in #7.

I actually hope #8 is similar, as those back two tend to get the hottest don't they @Smitty ?

Anyway, I'm making sure they are all at least 0.015 as per the spec.

 

[someguy360]

Mine were between 0.015 and 0.017 depending on the cylinder, much like you machining tollerances came into play, I swapped them around between cylinders until I could get them all between those measurements without filing them, it'll be close as it's a minimum of 0.015" required.

Those oil control rings were so flimsy I didn't trust myself not to bend them or break them putting them in the file as they were paper thin so I just made sure they were 0.015 or better and hoped for the best......we'll find out if that paid off soon

 

[Deuce]

Mine were between 0.015 and 0.017 depending on the cylinder, much like you machining tollerances came into play, I swapped them around between cylinders until I could get them all between those measurements without filing them, it'll be close as it's a minimum of 0.015" required.

Those oil control rings were so flimsy I didn't trust myself not to bend them or break them putting them in the file as they were paper thin so I just made sure they were 0.015 or better and hoped for the best......we'll find out if that paid off soon

Paper thin alright!!!
I'm filing a few, but very slowly and gently on the wheel. Taking minimal, a bit of needle file straight across the long edge (profile view obviously), and 400 paper.

I'm not getting the top 2 rings correct and letting these wafers ruin the party!

 

[someguy360]

Paper thin alright!!!
I'm filing a few, but very slowly and gently on the wheel. Taking minimal, a bit of needle file straight across the long edge (profile view obviously), and 400 paper.

I'm not getting the top 2 rings correct and letting these wafers ruin the party!

Yeah I found on my Proflow ring filer the cutter is so course it would have just grabbed the oil ring and bent it even trying to go slowly.

It tried to flick my top rings across the room whenever I turned it even trying to hold the ring firm and centred, lets just say not all of my top rings are exactly the same in terms of their clearances

So I was not game to try the oil rings at all.

My ring filer is basically the same as yours, I bench mounted mine using the mounting holes to stop it moving around, but from memory my blade/wheel is more course/rougher than the one you were using.

 

[Deuce]

Yeah I found on my Proflow ring filer the cutter is so course it would have just grabbed the oil ring and bent it even trying to go slowly.

It tried to flick my top rings across the room whenever I turned it even trying to hold the ring firm and centred, lets just say not all of my top rings are exactly the same in terms of their clearances

So I was not game to try the oil rings at all.

My ring filer is basically the same as yours, I bench mounted mine using the mounting holes to stop it moving around, but from memory my blade/wheel is more course/rougher than the one you were using.

Proform 66785 - listed as 120 grit same as yours.
Probably out of the same factory to be honest.

 

[Smitty]

Started checking oil ring gaps today.
I expected no issues, when infact it was quite educational on machining tolerances.
............................
Therefore I feel I was seeing about half a thou diameter extra in #7.
I actually hope #8 is similar, as those back two tend to get the hottest don't they @Smitty ?
....

hehe ... yeah

nothing a good manifold coolant cross over set up won't fix

 

[Deuce]

hehe ... yeah

nothing a good manifold coolant cross over set up won't fix

Well as you know I've done that to my manifold, but I'm only -4 lines from memory. Not like the monster lines on your race motor, lol.

 

[someguy360]

Still lots to do on the car in general, but that closes off my 355 build chapter of the project.

 

[M#ick2183]

View attachment 270784ive changed the twin throttle body under the advice of engine builder and protest!but unless I go boost it was not enough air,he has done countless hours on his engine dyno testing different set ups so I couldn't argue with him!

So after 7 months we have a running vt mafless,355 with factory Delco ecu,has fair bit more in it also! Can't thank tuned by chop for making it happen using vs loom and ecu, the guy is a wizard!
The single 3inch exhaust is in need of an upgrade and gearbox is also on the cards as the next weakest link!
But sounds so good very happy with it so far!!