Thanks for your time making a great informative video. Been romping on my 396 for 27 years. In process of rebuilding the engine (heads at this point) and you definitely helped me out !
just did this to my 781's used the same 2 tools, compressor is awesome but I had to bend(flattened) the forks to make it not push the retainers off center(against the valve stems)but once I did that it worked slick and got all my springs within .010 of each other and installed spring height specs., next will be pushrod length check, probably over kill for very mild build but good learning project none the less thanks for all the BB chevy vids
Hey Frank Melero, These are stock rectangular port heads. When I had the engine built a long time ago the engine builder did indeed match the intake to the heads. Thanks for posting! Have a great day Johnny K
Thanks for creating the video. Orchestrated well and thorough. I agree the music is not my favorite nor is any hard rock stuff some dub in their videos, but you can make everyone happy when it comes to music. ;-)
Johnny K, yeas i am running Brodix aluminum heads, i bought them used they came assembled. I dont have any pushrods. I bought a couple stock length to get an idea and thats when i saw the problem. With out the pushrod in i can get the polley locks on. I just received some pushrod length checker tool. After securing rocker arm to valve geometry i got 7.650 for the intake and 8.800 for the exhaust. The rockers are isky's 1.7 for bbc. The current studs are 2" from base to top. It seems to me that if i go with longer push rods like stock it would put the rockers in a steep angle. But they look good now with the shorter lengths
Javier, I would call Brodix and ask them your question. I think the aluminum heads are taller then stock gm heads. I wonder if that raises the valve train also? I never ran aluminum heads, so I don't know. The believe on aluminum heads you have to use spark plugs with a longer reach(more threads) than a iron head spark plug. Sorry I could not be more helpful, I just don't know too much about aluminum heads. Have a great day Johnny K
The cam card info will be shown in any cam manufacture catalog. When you purchase the cam of your choice the "cam card" will come with the cam. Hope this helps, Johnny K
Hey Makavelli228, I asked this same question to Lunati when I was ordering my valve train components. They walked me through it and directed me to their website under "Tech" Valve Spring Tech......To sum it up, take your measurement than add .090 to that. Your answer should still be larger than the max valve lift of the cam. This will give you your safety factor. Please note this is what Lunati told me to do using their components. I hope this helps, Johnny K
Seems like if you add .090 to your retainer to valve seal measurement and that distance is less than .090 bigger than your valve lift you have contact. I would think you would want to subtract .090 from the retainer to valve seal measurements to give some clearance.
Pulled a 454 out of a 1977 motorhome and completely rebuilding the block and heads. I am dropping the motor in a 1990 Blazer, replacing the stock 5.7 I want to add some torque and HP to the engine. Figured I just need to modify the cam and while doing that clean up the heads and add a better performing intake. Anyway my question to you is what do you think about beehive springs for a build like this and what type of cam (solid, hydraulic) would you go with. Would love this motor to run forever. Thanks
Hiya JK and thanks for the great video. My cam card doesn't have the installed height like you mentioned at 6:49. Where else would I get that info? Isn't it based on the cam? I'm running a comp cams 11-238-3 and the heads are BBC 346236 - Oval Port 2.06 intake, 1.72 exhaust 1975-87. Thanks again!
Hey osiel lopez, thanks for subscribing!! Do a research on the web of your car. Take the vin #...lots of chevy websites. Find one & plug the vin number in. You will see all specs of your car. Example: engine/transmission is it (manual what's 1st gear ratio) automatic what size torque convertor 1500 rpm? 1800 rpm? rear end gears 2.73? maybe they are 3:08?gear ratio posi or standard? Now with info in hand, is your ride bare bones stock or all out performance from the factory? Start there get info
Hey Johnny k! I stumbled on to your channel and i must say im glad i did. I thought i new just enough to build my own 496, so far i have my short block finished but after watching your videos i realized i didnt know the half of it. You have a wealth of information that makes me want to redo my short block. Great great videos, explained like you know what all my questions are. But i do have one question. I just bought a set of used brodix aluminum bb2 305 heads. They came with springs that are supposed to be rated for up to .650 lift. Is there a way i can measure them or find out if i can use them for my cam. My cam is a hydraulic lunati 292/300 625/625 with duration at 241/249 @ .050. Thanks for taking the time to make these vids. Look forward to learning more. GB!
Hey Javier Castaneda! Thanks for taking the time to post and the kind words. I'm glad the video helped! I would called Brodix and ask if your cam, is the best for their heads in your particular application....Street car?? or all out race car?? If the heads are used, I would suggest new valve springs.(then you know they are new, not worn out. Also piece of mind they are the correct springs for your cam. Then I would call your cam company and ask what spring kit works with this cam and the bordix heads. The more info you get from the real experts that manufacture the components the better the cam/ heads HP combo. I would have the heads inspected at a machine shop for worn valve guides....maybe the used heads could used a valve job/ new valves? Hope this helps. Have a Great Day!! Johnny K
i am subscribing! i have a few questions if you dont mind answering...first of thank you sir for the aswm vids!.....i have a 1989 chevy camaro 350 5.7....i would like to increase its performance. what do edelbrock valve springs do exactly compared to the stock ones? what do the edel. valve covers do? im alone on this project and im learning as i go hope you respond thank you.
Hey lionieg, Here's some great info about the Buick 401 Nailhead carcraft.com/thehistoryof/65502_buick_nailhead/ When you select the camshaft for your engine the Cam Card will have the proper valve springs you should use listed on that Cam Card. I would suggest just buy the cam kit which comes with cam, lifters and valve springs . Hope this helps, Johnny K
when measuring the retainer to valve guide clearance why do you say to add .090? I always thought that you measured and subtract .050 for safety and that should be the max lift?
Hey Johnny K. Hope you are doing well! So I was measuring for pushrod length and realized that my rockers didn't clear the studs with the stock pushrod lengths. In other words with the pushrods in and the valves in, when i try to place the roller rocker on the stud, the studs don't even make it through the rockers for the polley locks. So should I use shorter pushrods or longer studs?
Hey Javier, That's a interesting question. My 1st question would be, are you running steel or aluminum heads? Aluminum heads take a longer screw in stud. After you answer the 1st question and they still don't work 2nd question would be, Remove the pushrod and set the roller rocker onto the stud, still can't screw on the nut? This is going to sound stupid but are you sure you bought the correct roller rockers for a BBC. Take a look at the box and see if it's the correct part #. I never had that issue so I can't give you the best answer. If after trying my 2 recommendations and no avail, I would seek the advice of a speed shop that build motors for a living to give you the best answer. I hope this helps a little....hit me up when you find the solution please. I'm curious of what it could be. Have a great day Johnny K
im new to this and i have a 1966 401 buick nailhead 6.6 and i want to install a comp cam and lifter. i want to ask if you could offer any info on what valve springs i should use. if you can help id be greatful. thanks.
