_Daniel_

Instead of starting various threads for all my questions and progress posts and pictures, I've decided to make just one.

Firstly my long (long means LONG)term goals.
Driveline:
355 stroker, TH400 with 3k stall, Diff not sure if ill keep the salisbury with minispool or move to borgwarner or 9 inch.
I don't plan anything really special with the interior just want everything done properly and to look good. Most likely will be all black with red highlights. leather seats.
Exterior, show condition paint with all panels straight. Colour thinking about either a really bright vibrant colour or the common path of black and I would like silver GTS stripes.
The car will be used for a weekender, with the odd visit to the drags just to see what it would run and bragging rights.

Now back to reality.






That is pretty much how the car is now (I know I've posted the pics before but I've got no new ones...)

The right now plans are to rebuild the motor myself, after blowing just about every gasket on the engine, it's needed. I was thinking about a transplant because the quote I got for a rebuild with just honing and new piston rings not pistons was 2000-5000 depending on what it was like when opened, that quote is me taking the engine out of car and removing ignition, carby, engine mounts etc. So I figured buying a rebuilt motor would be cheaper but because I live in Darwin this is not a viable option, so far.
With nothing to lose as the engine is already in need of a rebuild I thought I would have a go myself. With no suitable space at my place, I'm waiting on reply from a mate who lives on block with plenty room, where I could give it a go.
I'm rebuilding the 308 because I haven’t got the money to do the stroker properly yet and don't want a rush job, I'm also wanting to do the transmission and diff first.

I need some advice on the rebuild, the goal of this rebuild is to make the engine reliable to be able to drive until the money allows for the stroker, I'm hoping this will be in 6 months but depending on what comes up could be much longer. Remembering I'll be spending money on transmission and diff in that period too.

Firstly what brand hone is best and does anyone have a how to for some tips?
Things I'll need:
Piston rings, maybe new pistons.
Gasket kit.
Bearings.
ARP stud kit.
What places would you guys recommend for buying these products and what are good brands (quality over price). Also have I missed anything that I should also replace?

Tools for the trade, what specialized tools will I need?
Torque wrench, block and tackle, hone. Anything else?

I've been told I can rest the engine on a old tire, while I pull it apart, is this ok or would guys recommend getting a engine stand?

Also you guy's want to share some secrets into getting the engine bay looking tidy? Will try to hide as much wiring as possible without buying a whole new loom, is there anyway to reduce the number of hoses, for heater etc?

I'm hoping to make this a great learning experience.

Thank you if you bothered to read all that.
Will greatly appreciate any advice.

Daniel

streetutes

mate shes a beast!!!!! she will look even beta wen you put the parts on you said!!!! ummmm if your going to pull the motor apart out of the enigen bay its beta to buy a enigen stand!!!! instead of pushing it around on a tyre . your going to need all the tools you can get mostly all socket sets!!!! mate the way i make my enigen bay look nice is wash it sand it spray it lol keep it yellow!!!!!

_Daniel_

Forgot to mention, I plan flutes for the quarter panels too.

I was thinking about just respraying yellow and having [TWEETY] number plates, with the planned engine and twin 2.5inch exhuast, diffently not the case

I've got plenty socket sets, mostly sidchrome.
Thanks for input.

_Daniel_

Are these gasket kits any good?
HOLDEN 253 308 ACL FULL GASKET SET - eBay Engine Parts, Engines, Components, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 22-Jun-08 22:50:00 AEST)

Also would the rope or rubber rear main seal be better?

I just did a search on gaskets and found a recommendation for ACL gaskets from Skidmarx but he said use RACE series ones, so I did another evil bay search and
HOLDEN 253 308 304 5.0L ACL RACE SERIES GASKET SET - eBay V8, Performance Parts, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 22-Jun-08 22:48:00 AEST)

These look like the go? Also I found plenty fel-pro good reports but since they only make head gasket for 308's can't get the whole kit, but would it be worth buying the fel-pro head gasket or just use the ACL kit one?

Just looking for some recommendations, since this is my first time, I want to start buying the items I will need before I start pulling anything apart and don't to have to do it twice, so all advice appreciated.

evl1308

my 2c dont waste your money on race series crap! you would be better off buying felpro head gaskets and a fabtech gasket set. acl race is overated shit imo.

_Daniel_

Anymore comments, I have one for and one against ACL race series gaskets, I cant decide from that

Couple questions regarding the studs, how do I find out whether I have 2 bolt or 4 bolt mains and also whether I need 11/32 conrod bolts or 3/8. I know these questions are low tech for you guys but please still reply.
Also has anyone heard of a full stud kit for the 308 or do I have to buy the head studs, conrod bolts, mains etc all seperately?

Still looking for somewhere to buy new piston rings and bearings from and a brand recommendation.

brownhj

Good one Daniel - gotta have a plan mate....

Keep us updated.

brownhj

__________________

_Daniel_

Thanks for the encouragement BrownHJ, sad to hear your selling yours.

Any more recommendations on brands and shops guys?
Evl308 who sells the fabtech gaskets?

Also what bearings should be replaced, remembering its a 33yo engine, so assume the worst...?

_Daniel_

Are these the ones your talking about EVL308?
~ NEW FELPRO HOLDEN V8 FULL GASKET KIT (PRE EFI) ~ - eBay V8, Performance Parts, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 29-Jun-08 20:30:00 AEST)

evl1308

yes mate those are the ones

_Daniel_

Where do I hook up the block and tackle to the manifold? or do I hook it up to somehwere else? and what do I use to hook the chains to it? Pic's would be great.

I bought a engine stand today, 450kg rating, is this good enough? I wouldnt think the engine to wiegh more than that?

Also when I'm taking the engine out, do I need to put a jack under the transmission, since I will be undoing the bell houseing bolts and flex plate bolts and I think 2 of the cross member bolts?

Forgot to mention, I was told kerosene is a good engine cleaner to decrease and remove carbon build up. Is this true?

Thanks for the help so far guys.

I plan to start tomorrow.

RdS

nice project mate. i actually have a HJ GTS in that yellow (absinth) with the black interior with red accents. dont have a 355 stroker though.

not too sure wheter your asking where to bolt too to pull the motor out, but i pulled mine out with one chain bolted to the front left upper bolt on the head, and one at the upper bolt on the back right side. just put the bolt through the hole in the chain.
anyway, yep 450kg will be enough to hold the engine fine. a 308 isnt going to weigh half a ton! if you're pulling just the engine out too, why take the trans mount crossmember bolts? im not 100% but i think the trans should be able to sit there fine... but ive taken my 253/tri out n in a couple times, and have done it with the gearbox on. may aswell pull the auto out n clean it up anyway. and speaking of which, kero does fine as a engine cleaner. i just kept painting in on with a paintbrush so it soaked all the build up off. makes one helluva mess and bloody stinks.. but does the job.

good luck with it.

_Daniel_

I left the gearbox in there, just put a piece of timber under the sump and whacked a trolley jack under there. I've ditched the idea of rebuilding it as a 308, my mates mate (yeh I know) came around and we had a chat and convinced me not to spend my money twice and just waste a grand. He had nothing to gain out of it he was just there for advice not to work on it. So now I plan on going 355 straight away and just take it easy before I get the trannie and diff done.
I've got a big shopping list and it isn't looking cheap at all but thats the game of cars.

_Daniel_

Kind of good and bad news at the same time, car won't be seeing the road for a while but I've decided to do this once and not rebuild it as a 308 first, I'm going straight for the stroker, after discussing with a mechanic with nothing to gain out of me doing it, this way actually saves me money in the long run.

I need some advice on the COME stoker kits.
Whats the difference of the kits COME racing are selling? Which is the best for application?
My application being a tough weekend car with second priority being drag car.
What I plan to piece with the stroker kit is, a crane 288 solid cam with roller rockers, lifters, pushrods etc to suit, VN heads, TP Single plane. If you need more info on other peices of the puzzle let me know.
Is it cheapest buying directly from COME?
I want to do it right the first time with no corners cut, if I mention a crap item that I plan to use tell me but please let me know what I should replace it with. So with no cutting corners H-beams are the go? Kieth black pistons good? I've heard plenty good thing about the COME cranks on this site...

On page 9 are the stroker kits, I know it's from 2005 but only list on there site?
http://www.comeracing.com/products/pricelist_2005.pdf

I know I'm 17 but Allports, Greeny, MCE, 400 and I know I forgot others please grace my thread with your knowledge

BossHoggett

Well Buggar me ! Daniel.......... meet your competition. and hes 355 in a Yellow HJ too.... Na no problem youll meet a lot of cool blokes at the drags they will send you in the right direction....

Attached Images

308.JPG (27.8 KB, 15 views)