Volphin
Lieutenant
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2011
- Messages
- 1,405
Well I have almost finished my 4.3L Vortec conversion. My 4.3 L is a non balance shaft, and the bottom end was gone through a few years ago by Eagle Racing Engines (Cup engines). So when I cracked a head, I took the opportunity to upgrade the top end. Took her out last night and she did VERY well. Kept her at 3000-3200 for her shakedown cruise. One thing is certain. She has a tremendous amount of power and is breathing much more easily.
I began with some boneyard 1998 Vortec heads (casting 140s). I had them checked/fluxed then reconditioned with a multi-angle valve job, new valves, seals and springs. The old studs were removed and they were drilled for 7/16 full length roller rocker studs. I installed the heads and set the Comp Cams roller tips in place along with hardened pushrods. These came from the previous heads. Then installed a new Edelbrock 2114 Performer intake (my old 2111 is for sale BTW), and my 1409 carb. If you do this upgrade, richen the idle screws one more full turn out.
Then the old manifolds had to go. These were replaced with the bottom end, but I wanted something lighter. I went with the GLMs. I KNOW how you guys feel about them, but I inspected them closely for fit and finish and found them to bolt up just fine. Total weight on these is 54lbs. I did decide not to use their cheap nylon fittings and went with a standard brass setup. BTW, you don't need to buy MerCruiser fittings when they are readily available from brass jobbers. I spent $40 replacing all for major fittings. A single MerCruiser fitting is $45 - $65. That is just stupid for a standard NPT pipe thread fitting.
Anyway, I'm working on modding my Edelbrock VCs to fit the Vortec head setup as the cheap plastic VCs look foolish. LOL
Enjoy the pics my friends!
V
I began with some boneyard 1998 Vortec heads (casting 140s). I had them checked/fluxed then reconditioned with a multi-angle valve job, new valves, seals and springs. The old studs were removed and they were drilled for 7/16 full length roller rocker studs. I installed the heads and set the Comp Cams roller tips in place along with hardened pushrods. These came from the previous heads. Then installed a new Edelbrock 2114 Performer intake (my old 2111 is for sale BTW), and my 1409 carb. If you do this upgrade, richen the idle screws one more full turn out.
Then the old manifolds had to go. These were replaced with the bottom end, but I wanted something lighter. I went with the GLMs. I KNOW how you guys feel about them, but I inspected them closely for fit and finish and found them to bolt up just fine. Total weight on these is 54lbs. I did decide not to use their cheap nylon fittings and went with a standard brass setup. BTW, you don't need to buy MerCruiser fittings when they are readily available from brass jobbers. I spent $40 replacing all for major fittings. A single MerCruiser fitting is $45 - $65. That is just stupid for a standard NPT pipe thread fitting.
Anyway, I'm working on modding my Edelbrock VCs to fit the Vortec head setup as the cheap plastic VCs look foolish. LOL
Enjoy the pics my friends!
V
