Did you modify the case with out splitting them?

 

no case splitting required with the tool we made.

 

very nice sir..

 

Wow, big difference!

 

yeah it sure is.


Does the case need to be split to change rods? The tech at the local dealership has some experience pinning camshafts so I would get it done here if it became necessary. I asked about the rods and he said it was a much more involved job than pinning the camshafts and that the case had to be split.

 

No, it doesn't have to be split to change the rods

 

that depends on what rods. if you do Carrillo rods you have to split the case to shave down the oil pump. if you do pauter you can install without splitting the case.

 

Any idea of how many hours labour it would be to change the rods beyond getting to the camshafts for pinning? I'd go with Pauter just for the simplicity, I don't plan on going beyond whatever hp these Champion 68s are good for.

 

I think I read somewhere that it was close to 100hrs job if they didn't have to split open the case and 120hrs with the opening of the case
Hope this helps

 

Depends on how many beers they have throughout the job? LOL

 

Way it works is if you are taking the motor apart you may as well do at the very least... springs, guides, face the valves, head work.... blah blah blah, I don't think somebody will tear the motor and spend $1000+ just in gaskets just to put rods.

Maybe 100hrs is not that far off

 

The P Tech told me 36 hours labour to get the engine apart enough to pin both camshafts. I assume that means putting the car back together too. I was just wondering how much labour is required beyond getting to the camshafts.


Well I for one would probably do "just" the rods even though the gaskets cost whatever they cost. It's more to do with keeping it simple - I'm not sure there is expertise around here, but I'd have to dig a little deeper on that. It's a slippery slope when you add things like springs, headwork etc..., but if it made sense then I'd certainly consider it.


But really I'd be happy if my car just kept on working the way it does right now without any problems, lol.

 

This in itself is the issue This is the reason I'm taking my engine apart. I don't want it to blow up.... "but while I'm in there" just keeps getting bigger and bigger. If I'm going to take the engine apart, why not port the heads because they'll be off anyway, and if I'm porting the heads, why not put larger valves, and if I'm changing the rods, it would be a good time to "refresh" the bottom end, If I'm doing that, why not refresh it with a 3.8L. Well, now the heads are larger and flowing well, but the intake manifold is too small to really get gains so I have to change that etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.

 

a considerable amount, camshafts for pinning is just motor out and valve covers off.

 

We bill a flat 30hr for the engine R&R and for removing and replacing the accessories down to a long block. Everything usually comes apart pretty quick, but cleaning and reassembling everything takes a good chunk of that time. The engine build itself is a flat 40hr plus time for certain mods from pinned coolant pipes, pinned cams, shuffle pin case, etc.