First time building motor (308)

[VHCOMMO87]

Hello all im thinking of building my first motor (308) im a mechanically minded person who likes to give things a go and was just wondering how complicated it is to build a carby 308 motor? Im also wanting to know what tools and equipment i would need to get the Job done. I would get all the machine/head work and any fiddly bits done by a professionall but all the assembly work i would like to do my self. Any info would be great cheers.

Tom.

 

[EYY]

They're one of the best engines to learn to work on, short of an old holden 6 or a lawnmower engine lol

Grab a manual, do heaps of reading/research on here, av8 and gmhtorana. There are a few members who know their **** to look out for (tk, hpepete, struggler, bottled up to name a few).

I've rebuilt quite a few from second hand parts and they're fine. Check my ute thread for my last slapjob 308 if you like.

Whatever you do, don't listen to the clowns on Facebook, 99.9% of them have no idea what they're on about. And don't listen to anybody who tells you that a 286 is the greatest cam ever.

 

[Smitty]

get the proper GMH manual (not the Gregorys or Ellery crap)
read thru that...
and then make sure you have/have access to the various tools they call for
feeler gauges, torque wrench, piston compressor etc

ps... buy a DECENT gasket kit (ACL etc)
not the cheap no name off ebay

hint... use the later EFI engine rubber sump gasket (NOT the std cork one)
and if a 'rope' engine, use the Buick neo seal on the rear main (to stop leaks)

 

[Smitty]

........... And don't listen to anybody who tells you that a 286 is the greatest cam ever.

naaaaah... the 304 is !

 

[VHCOMMO87]

Cheers Guys for the info, were would i find a proper GMH manual? What is it called so i know what to look out for on ebay/gumtree. Cheers.

 

[Smitty]

Holden HQ service manual Vol4
or Holden 'Improved Performance' Engine manual

 

[EYY]

Smitty I thought that the rubber gasket could only be used on the efi engines since the sump has dimples in it to stop the gasket from being squashed out? Or are early commodores like that too?

 

[vr304]

Plenty of good you tube videos on engine building

 

[Smitty]

Smitty I thought that the rubber gasket could only be used on the efi engines since the sump has dimples in it to stop the gasket from being squashed out? Or are early commodores like that too?

don't need the 'dimpled' sump to use the rubber gasket...
just tighten the bolts ( I use studs by the way) to the factory torque setting
(that is ...DO NOT over tighten it)

 

[Deuce]

don't need the 'dimpled' sump to use the rubber gasket...
just tighten the bolts ( I use studs by the way) to the factory torque setting
(that is ...DO NOT over tighten it)

I also use studs. Much better idea than bolts if you ask me!