304 VN AERO REBUILD (304 stroked to 350ci flat top pistons std 4" bore)

[Deuce]

yes the original starter motor was working fine, however engine out of car, going through it from A-Z, so most probably better to upgrade now, than stuff around latter with it and take a chance

Depending on what headers you end up with, the starter motor is about a 10 minute job each way in / out.

 

[bjf66]

I gave the battery the toss as it was sitting for 15 yrs no gooo
anyways was think to relocate battery to boot, and would upgrade to high cranking capacity
our company manufactures high temperature ceramic fibre for shielding and insulation (different division) for reducing heat transfer, will have to look at what we can get from them

 

[gtrboyy]

I would not use factory chunky starter motor in anything these days...the hi-torque starters from vs era were the best but now NLA.

Been using the baby sized starters for 20 years...crank engine over like they've got no sparkplugs & heaps smaller in size so better clearances.less heat affected.

The aftermarket brands are pretty good & expensive...that being said recently replaced starter on ute with some $110 generic from Bebco Parts quite surprised how well it cranks.

Those headers look vn era by the cups instead of flat flanges for later models the revert back to cup style for vt(?) basically what you'd find on 180kw hsv or calais unless they added 180kw pack later on.

 

[Deuce]

I would not use factory chunky starter motor in anything these days...the hi-torque starters from vs era were the best but now NLA.

Been using the baby sized starters for 20 years...crank engine over like they've got no sparkplugs & heaps smaller in size so better clearances.less heat affected.

The aftermarket brands are pretty good & expensive...that being said recently replaced starter on ute with some $110 generic from Bebco Parts quite surprised how well it cranks.

Those headers look vn era by the cups instead of flat flanges for later models the revert back to cup style for vt(?) basically what you'd find on 180kw hsv or calais unless they added 180kw pack later on.

Hmmm,
I should probably photograph my starter before I say it's a quick install.
As I do have a bosch spare there which is a bit larger and probably a bit harder to get in and out.

 

[bjf66]

Cam: under way being ground discussed the base circle with MCC on Thursday
With cam lift being 0.365 base circle will be smaller than 1.14” what I have now which is fine gives a little more room in lifter bores for lifter bleed hole

Sump: should have this finished on Monday, 120 degree fitting turned up on Friday, so just need to sort screen out for Windage and we are good to go

Starter motor: will look for one this coming week

Headers: looking at present Hooker seem large premium
Not much difference between S/S
Assuming everyone is using the 304 1.6mm gauge tubing

Anyone use the proform S/S headers ?

What about castle headers $600
Seem to be quite good and reasonable straight with pipes coming out of heads ??

Under car this weekend starting at arse end and moving forward
- water blast underneath
- Tidying up a little surface rust to seal
- applying 2 coats of KBS chassis black ( seems to have good write up)

 

[bjf66]

Driveshaft: pulled the drive shaft out to have a look
- will most probably replace universals, not sure what size they are. They look extremely small compared to the spicer 1410 on shaft in boat
Not sure whether you can fit larger universals
- will probably upgrade the rubber support mount
I’ll be putting 30% + more torque through driveshaft shouldn’t need to upgrade this I would I thought it would of been fine

 

[losh1971]

You can get greaseable uni's for these shafts, which might last longer than others. Also starter try Ashdown Ingram they are about the cheapest for a quality unit.

 

[gtrboyy]

Go with pacemakers...reason they were so popular is ease of fitment,good quality/design + tried & proven against other brands.

The way these commodores are you can't really change design of headers or they'll be nightmare to fit hence most similar in design & do have flaws in design due to making them fit.

Starters you want are mini hi-torque starters basically for vs-vt...they take the 2 even mid-length bolts.

 

[bjf66]

had trouble getting universals off drive shaft, ended up cutting them off with 4" grinder
the CJ joint seemed tight, however looked back on the last road worthy in 2004 and it wasn't replaced, so out it goes

what universals are everyone using
seem Hardispicer the bench mark,.
What about Toyo ?
RUJ-2038R*2 universals
CB-952 centre bearing
CV-855A CV joint

 

[losh1971]

Centre bearing only use a genuine one. The aftermarket ones are junk.