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

Lex

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6 litres thinners
Get 20 litres of general purpose thinners & 20 litres of gun thinners clean up. The gun clean up good for cleaning gun, instead of using the good general purpose thinners. You will use it?
 

bjf66

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Can anyone confirm ? ( I'm sure they are ) the same for VR/VS = look the same !
If so I'm going to get a plastic one for the Maloo
according to this they are same, however the ends seem different
In some ways the fibreglass cowl have a much smoother and stronger look than the plastic
no one cracking
I wonder whether it makes much difference plastic or fibreglass ?
stock look on smoother look ?
https://www.12voltcustoms.com.au/products/vn-vs-wiper-cover-panels
 
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afstruct

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according to this they are same, however the ends seem different
In some ways the fibreglass cowl have a much smoother and stronger look than the plastic
no one cracking
I wonder whether it makes much difference plastic or fibreglass ?
stock look on smoother look ?
https://www.12voltcustoms.com.au/products/vn-vs-wiper-cover-panels


OK , ends look the same to me ( maybe I'm missing something ).
Have read / heard somewhere on here ( I think ) fibreglass ones aren't a perfect fit= need some work.
I did/was thinking about making my own but by the time you spend the money in prep/molds/etc = fxxk =can't beat $220 for plastic original looking.
 

bjf66

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Paint decision
have made a few inquiries and received different quotes, however have decided to have a crack at painting myself with acrylic
paint, and go through local company Bayside Auto paints, https://www.facebook.com/baysautopaints/ as always found them friendly and extremely helpful on phone and technical support, and family business been in business 20 yrs on Peninsula
shopping list
4 litres IF075 Maranello Red
6 litres thinners
4 litres high build high build primer
1 litres of plastic primer
8 litres of thinner gen purpose clean up
2 litre degreaser
budget: $600

let see, firewall coming on, so need to get a lick of paint on there shortly as soon as temperature starts warming up
just got to bite the bullet
added few items to shopping list, seems a reasonable price
 

bjf66

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Valve springs/ heads:
PSI 1516 valve spring turned up this afternoon from Brisbane, greats service
had a look at the installed heights this afternoon
after the seat pockets were cleaned up, the measurement between holden spring retainer was 1.73", originally before starting they were @ 1.71"
Then proceeded to sink the valve pockets:
The goal was to get to 1.79", thereby picking up 0.060" (the height of spring locators), while checking for heights progressively aiming to sneak up on the dimensions

aiming for spring installed height: 1.77-1.80" (150-160 lbs on seat)
Need to allow for:
- 0.060" spring locators
+ 0.050" valve locks
Finished up at 1.79", which is great
Finished the exhaust seats on one head, and have 2 inlets done

Need to see if I can get a retainer which is higher than the standard retainer, which gives more installed height for safety
Someone had mentioned the Crower retainer is approx 0.050" higher than crane, CC, Manley. I'm sure crower have something close that will fit 0.640" ID spring
 

bjf66

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Difficult to find increased height retainer, so ended up going with Comp Cams stuff through VPW as they had what i needed in stock:
CrMo 10 degree retainers 795-16
10 degree super locks 614-16
Valve spring internal locators 4705-16, 1.30"/0.570", 0.875" spring OD
will be interesting to see the weight difference between GMH and new setup

Ended up with 0.090" clearance @ 1.77" installed height, happy with that
1659606587192.png
 
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bjf66

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Comp cams stuff arrived 24 hrs after ordering from VPW, seems Aust post getting back to where it was pre-Covid
I had some spring cutters #4718 already here which is 1.44" ID spring pocket / 0.630" guide boss, so cut the seats to correct depith, however guides need to machined down to 0.560" OD, so need another spring cutter # 4733 to make final cut
Or alternative drill out the spring locators from 0.570" to 0.630" (16mm) to fit over the guide.
Unfortunatley dont like my chances with chrone moly retainers
so need to grab the other spring cutter

Had a dumphy fit with valve reatiner, and 10 degree locks measure 1.77" installed height which is perfect

is there any tool which can help with installing 7/16" UNC thread into head for rocker studs
Like a spacer you slip in over one of the existing bolts while you start the thread in other hole ?



weights grmsoriginal GMH setupnew setup
valve spring7866
retainers2212
locks33
 

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bjf66

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slow day, sanding and removing residual rubber on front screen (bugger of a job)
cleaned up any surface oxide with wire brush, and then applied 3 coats of Fernite, acetone, etch primer to protect the bare metal

Have the paint and stuff to be picked up next week
Need to get small nozzle for spray gun, then

Pull seats, carpet, back window next
 

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bjf66

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removed the wiper motor, arms, cleaned under the plenum cover
degreased, remove oxide, getting ready for paint
took apart the wiper motor arms and cleaned up, painted primer, silver top coat tomorrow

Had another look at paint on car, paint looks good, not flaking, just faded on upper part, bottom half car still has a shine
May get away with 400 grit sand and spraying solid colour instead of primer build

Trying to locate someone with Iwata spray gun spares need 1,3mm nozzle, needle and cap
 
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