about to start the first stage

[cajcole]

I am about to start my first stage of my build, the engine and was wondering. I am going to be putting in a new cam, lifters, chain, sprocket, gaskets, intake.

1. I was wondering if i should just use the old distributer drive gear and swap the gear on the proform to the old gear or should i get a new drive gear and keep the gear on the hei.
2. I am trying to not have to get back into the engine ( at least for a bit) is there anything else that i should be thinking of doing "while im in there"

thanks
cole


1975 j10
360 2bbl
t18

[Artisan]

Ummmm, From the sound of this I would venture to say you personally have never rebuilt an engine, same as me. Having said that I think the best advice would be to find out who your going to trust to
build your engine and listen to them. I found a builder and he asked me some questions as to what I wanted and several thousands of dollars later we were on the dyno. What is your engine budget?

[cajcole]

The budget is pretty slim, but im not pulling the engine its just more of a freshen up and a fix for a flat cam so i wasn't going to have a machinist do anything. I just really want something that is a reliable dd. thanks

[swampdrainer]

I am about to start my first stage of my build, the engine and was wondering. I am going to be putting in a new cam, lifters, chain, sprocket, gaskets, intake.

1. I was wondering if i should just use the old distributer drive gear and swap the gear on the proform to the old gear or should i get a new drive gear and keep the gear on the hei.
2. I am trying to not have to get back into the engine ( at least for a bit) is there anything else that i should be thinking of doing "while im in there"

thanks
cole


1975 j10
360 2bbl
t18

Either gear option will work, provided your old gears are in good shape.
Just don't try to pair an old gear with a new one.

I would never install a new cam in the old bearings, and you will have to pull the engine to replace the cam bearings. You will be tearing back into it pretty soon with even worse problems if you do.

I'm rebuilding one now that he previous owner installed a new cam in the old bearings. Now I'm having to do a complete rebuild because the old #1 cam bearing failed and the drop in oil pressure caused the #1 & 2 rod bearings to fail. So I now have to replace the cam again and the crankshaft also.

[joe]

I'm rebuilding one now that he previous owner installed a new cam in the old bearings. Now I'm having to do a complete rebuild because the old #1 cam bearing failed and the drop in oil pressure caused the #1 & 2 rod bearings to fail. So I now have to replace the cam again and the crankshaft also.
x2. I'm a firm believier in NOT seating a new cam in 100,000 mile old cam bearings. I'm also a firm believe to not lean into a punch.
Do it right or leave it alone. Pull the motor, have the block hot tanked and honed and them installing new cam bearings at the time is cheaper than the grief bucks you'll have to deal with later.

[68glad]

x2. I'm a firm believier in NOT seating a new cam in 100,000 mile old cam bearings. I'm also a firm believe to not lean into a punch.
Do it right or leave it alone. Pull the motor, have the block hot tanked and honed and them installing new cam bearings at the time is cheaper than the grief bucks you'll have to deal with later.

X3 Cam bearings are the #1 most overlooked part of a engine because they are the hardest to replace IMHO.