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

[afstruct]

K-frame out and getting cleaned up degrease, rust blaster,
etch primer on tomorrow

Interested to see how this turns out!!!!

 

[bjf66]

Zinc coated, and then first coat of epoxy paint on K-frame.
Disassembled disc brakes, rotor are okay measure up + 22.5mm thick, pads are good just rusted, but will toss them for new.
Removed wheel bearings, seals seem okay however will install new,
sway bar bushed need replacing,
lower control arm and tensioner bushes were replaced with urethane previously and all look good, strut locators were upgraded previously. Need to get some coil spring clamps so can take off the springs and clean them up, paint the struts and springs. managed to find a sticker on spring with ID 02020076...not sure whose spring it was as was on car when I purchased it, however will leave them as is, as only been sitting in one place for last 16 yrs so should still have plenty of life in them
had a job getting the nut off the rear tensioner rod/bush off the low control, as didn't have a 30mm, had to cut off nut and use chisel, so need to organise replacement. will tackle the other strut tomorrow
For the 2nd tensor arm went and purchased the 30mm socket much easier and less mess to worry about afterwards

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[bjf66]

seem to be popping around a little with rebuild

• front suspension pulled apart, 50% of the bushings were upgraded 15 yrs+ ago, pulled everything apart, went through every bush, cleaned up the steel work on brackets, controls arms
• what wasn't nolathane previously is now, as organised the parts to arrive
• cleaned up front disc rotor and caliper brackets, cold galv, need to pick a colour not sure what they were standard silver?
• will rebuild the calipers, hoses are brand new from 15 yrs ago
• the brake booster needs to come off and will rebuild the cylinder, not sure whether this is not sure whether the cylinder for V8 is 1" or 7/8" however best to pull first and check
• was going to look at brake upgrade, however will keep in standard VN V8
• will knock over front before ripping out diff and replacing brakes, bushes, review diff gears if needed. Had a little look at the tag looks to be 3.08. may need to get some lower gears 3.45-3.7 to get the old girl moving

 

[bjf66]

VN 304 Camshaft upgrade

don't need to decide just yet as waiting few weeks to get the block backed from being decked and then can start to put the short block together
However fairly sure I've convinced myself I want to go hydraulic roller camshaft
Been looking at the Crow/Mace camshaft

anyone used installed one, and who was used for the chip,
after getting this sorted, will look into which link bar lifters to use

Have ordered the valve pocket seat cutters and cutters for positive seals,

will learning towards LS type conical single valve springs, however a mate was staying he would prefer to stay with dual springs for safety in case one let go

 

[gtrboyy]

You're trying to get as much compression into it as possible then throw in a baby cam...ting ting ting

Didn't want stroker crank yet want roller cam,tie bar lifters & most likely more machine work.

Could have just gone stroker,mild compression with 284 & kept the rest of it stock to be well behaved stump puller with baby stally.3.45 gears.

Not many Delco tuners around anymore basically one or two left on here like Delcowizard,TheOne(?) then peeps on pcmhacking forum who have archived their tunes.

I've used Joe@ Ace Performance Tuning because he is in Sydney,done numerous tunes & we were all Street comm peeps back in the day.

Best thing to do is contact who you want to do memcal tune...they'll also know what basic parts/combinations work well for what you want to do as need to plan what you're building it for & stick to the plan.

 

[bjf66]

contacted joe @ ace the other day, as wanted to discuss what he could offer before signing up for a camshaft

 

[bjf66]

collapse the front spring and checked the shock which seemed weak, therefore decided to replace
opened up front shock absorbers tonight, they are looking a little tired, dirty oil, have organised some monroe gas struts to install

 

[harrop.senator]

222-217 I actually think would be good with the bananas I honestly don't see it pulling 6.5k especially with a stock manifold but.

 

[bjf66]

engine block back from Dave at Frankston Engine Centre, 2 weeks turn around, great stuff, got him to install cam bearing,,,,..thinking smart now

 

[losh1971]

got him to install cam bearing

Good man, wise move I say.