1978 Malibu Project, 4th times a charm

[Wraith]

Removed all the springs/retainers/seals with a great $40 tool from Amazon then pulled the heads, this engine is clean. Now to get some valve lapping compound, install the new seals/springs/ti retainers, then move on to the block treatment.

 

[Wraith]

Today, hand lap the valves.



Before on right, after on left

 

[Chris P. Bacon]

You are a very talented guy,keep up the good work. From what I've seen your not afraid to tackle any project. Good for you !

 

[Wraith]

Another day of tearing things apart to do work but it yielded a surprise. Bought this random Craigslist 4.8 fully dressed along with a rebuilt 5.3 short block bought for $550 and while the 4.8 looked clean while tearing it down, pulling the pistons today........




And the bearings look like this, every one of them.



Looks like an extremely low mileage engine, even a blind squirrel finds an acorn now and then.

Also I etched the numbers instead of using a punch............

 

[fleming442]

The bearings look awesome, but those pistons......

 

[Wraith]

De-ringed, soaked, and cleaning one at a time.






What is not seen is piston/rod number one, the first one soaked and pulled out of the cleaner which when set on the bench promptly flopped the rod over and fell off the bench, breaking the skirt which will end up in me purchasing another 4.8 for one piston.

The bigger problem is that with a spare 4.8 I will have extra parts and time to build a forged bottom end if this one ever comes apart.......

 

[Ribbedroof]

Maybe I'm an idiot, but can you not buy a std piston from GM?

 

[Wraith]

Maybe I'm an idiot, but can you not buy a std piston from GM?

But then I can't build that forged bottom end that I don't need! Plus I picked up a short block for $80 sooooo.

 

[Ribbedroof]

Gotcha!

 

[Wraith]

Another round of paint today



And lest you think, why is he painting the engine white?



And head assembly