AMC 360 Stroker (383) for Donzi

[cma]

Very nice write up Rick!

[SC/397]

Thanks Markus!


We are installing the Air Gap intake on this one. I always use the steel vally pan gasket and the baffle plate under the PCV valve. I cut a chunk of Scotchbrite pad to go between the PCV valve and baffle plate.
IMG_0047 by Rick Jones, on Flickr
IMG_0048 by Rick Jones, on Flickr.


She s just about ready to start!.... Except for the fact that I have to finish a 390 first.
IMG_0053 by Rick Jones, on Flickr

[rang-a-stang]

I notice the rubber gasket under the end of the manifold. I used them the last 2 times I did a manifold but I hear lots of people say to trash those and just use a thick bead of sealant. Your thoughts?

[SC/397]

I always use the end seals. I use a punch and knurl the block where the seals seat and I cut about half of the tits off. Key things to do are clean the block where the rubber dowels go with a drill bit and use RTV only at the corners. If you get RTV anywhere else the seals will squirt out.
102_2936 by Rick Jones, on Flickr
004 by Rick Jones, on Flickr

[wiley-moeracing]

to each there own, I always use rtv on the ends, no wrong way to it though

[SC/397]

I really don't like the RTV in place of the gasket. Here is one that someone did and now I have to try to clean it all off with a razor blade. Not a easy thing to do and a hour or so that I don't want to spend.
IMG_0111 by Rick Jones, on Flickr

[wiley-moeracing]

I understand but I don't like oil leaks either or slipped rubber end seals, what ever works is good, fire that motor up already!

[SC/397]

I have never had a problem with leaks or the seals slipping out. I can't fire the stroker until I get a 390 put together, started, and broke in. I have to multitask with 2 different machinists now to keep things moving forward. Machinist 1 still has a 360 and a 390 to finish for me before I can take 2 more 383 stroker projects to him. Machinist 2 has a 343 ready for me and I need to take him a 360 and 290 to machine up after that. Somewhere in all of that I need to build a couple of 401's and a 427 stroker. I should be caught up in about 10 years I figure...

[wiley-moeracing]

sounds familiar.

[SC/397]

NEVER buy one of these gasket kits. This one was supplied to me for a 390 build. The very first two gaskets that I took out of the package doesn't fit. The rear main seal is too small by like a 1/4" and the vibration damper seal is small by -.010". There is no press fit and you could shove it out by hand.
IMG_0052 by Rick Jones, on Flickr

The Fel-Pro gaskets are still the best and most complete.
IMG_0116(1) by Rick Jones, on Flickr

[wiley-moeracing]

Never heard of them before? ebay special? And your right, Felpro has been good for me also.

[rang-a-stang]

NEVER buy one of these gasket kits. This one was supplied to me for a 390 build. The very first two gaskets that I took out of the package doesn't fit. The rear main seal is too small by like a 1/4" and the vibration damper seal is small by -.010". There is no press fit and you could shove it out by hand.
....The Fel-Pro gaskets are still the best and most complete.....

Great! Glad you posted that! Saved me 2 hours of searching/researching in the next week as I order my set!

[SC/397]

No problem!
A few years ago I bought one of every kit at the time to do a comparison. I had pictures taken and all of that but never took the time to post it all up. Some of the others use some of the Fel-Pro gaskets in the kit but that one labeled DC took it upon themselves to make their own gaskets. Too bad they do't fit. The rest of the gasket kits are not near as terrible but none have as good of kit as the Fel-Pro one.

[Donzi]

Engine looks good!

When were you planning to crank it up?

[SC/397]

Engine looks good!

When were you planning to crank it up?

Next week I hope.