350 head port & polish and cam swap

My son and I started pullin apart the GS motor this week for some enhancements. Started a picture log as well, will post them as we go along. Have the porting and polishing tools, TA 212 cam, TA lifters and stage 1 springs. Will be sending the heads out to be milled .060 for just under 10-1 compression and a multi angle valve job after we port and polish.







On the last pic you can see that we're looking at the timing chain, which brings up the question "how do i measure for too much slack in the chain?" The gears and teeth are all metal, installed about 25,000 miles ago during a rebuild. I searched the forum but didn't find a specific tolerance.

Thanks for your help.........

 

those are cheap components, i say just get a new set unless budget is that tight.

 

Good point, there's room in the budget for wear items, and they gotta come off anyway. Thanks.

 

Agreed. A timing set is about $20.

Good luck. Keep us posted and give a before and after butt dyno..

 

Yeah, last August we were at the Lapeer International Dragway, my first time at the strip, ever. My best time was 16.03 at 88.7 mph, but that also includes a 2.5 second 60 foot time, which i know is really slow. I need more practice launching with a 4 speed. So if i take a second off for a proper 60 foot time, the base to improve on is 15.0.

Thanks, we'll keep posting our progress..........

 

I recently started porting and polishing my 350 heads and while it is fun it can be messy. Are you using Jim Burek's "The Port Authority" article as a template for the port and polish? I'll be glad to show you photos of what I've done so far.

Scott

 

Hi Scott, yes that's one of the articles we're using as reference guides, there are also some good threads on here as well, such as "Head Porting-the Home Game"..........

And by all means, post some pics...........tonight we'll be taking the carb and intake manifold off...........removing the heads on sunday.......

 

Steve,
If you want to see some heads I sectioned so you know where not to grind your welcome to stop by.

Steve

 

Hey Steve did you post sectioned pictures here before? If not I would like very much to see them.

Scott

 

Hi Steve, I'm in Linden just North of You. I built up my 350, Ported Heads and such. Let me know if you need help with anything. I have some parts if yer looking for anything. Get in touch.

PONCH

 

Hi Steve and Ponch, it's really good to know that there are some experienced Buick folks nearby..........we removed the Qjet and intake manifold on Fri, and the valve covers, and rocker arms last night. The header bolts are stubborn so we have them soaking in liquid wrench and will try to give them a turn tonight. When we get the heads off we will certainly be contacting you for a visit to learn about what to do and not do from guys who have done this, in person...........the articles that i've read and printed sure have helped, but it's good to talk things over.....especially when it comes time to degree the camshaft............Thanks, will be in touch soon........

 

Here is the progress with one of my heads...see pics below

 

Wow Scott those are some really good pictures they should be in a sticky thread...

 

Yeah Scott, those look great, thanks for posting those pics!

We got the headers unbolted and the driver's side head off last night. No valve seat recession and no ridges in the cylinder walls.





Hope we can get them to look as good as Scott's do!!!!

 

I have a 350 head or Two if you want to practice on if you'd like.

PONCH

 

Thanks Guys. If you really think it should be a sticky thread I'll see what can be done. I just remeasured all my intake and 2 of the exhaust ports and here are my measurements. 155cc on the PORTED first two intake ports and 153cc on the second two intake ports. UNPORTED intake was 147cc for a difference of 6-8 cc. 2 of the PORTED exhaust ports measured 121cc. The UNPORTED exhaust port measured 115cc for a difference of 6cc.

Scott

 

Got the passenger side head off last night, no ridges on the cylinder walls and no valve recession..........i cc'd two combustion chambers in each head and each one took 50 cc's (+/-1)...........time to remove the valve spings and valves, degrease the heads, and get to work.........

Thanks Ponch for the offer of a practice head..........got some company coming in this weekend, after that i'll be contacting you and Steve for experienced advice.

 

That is good news!

Scott

 

Gents, just an update.......since the middle of June, in between out of town trips, business meetings, storms knocking out power for days, bathroom demo and rebuild, i've been able to put about 11 hours into the driver's side head. Hogging out the intake runners and gasket matching them certainly takes the most grinding. Rounding down the valve guides and grinding down the casting junk isn't so bad. Still got to polish the combustion chambers and the exhaust..............been learning a lot, and enjoying doing it myself, with the help of my son........

 

Question for you Scott.......in your pictures above of the middle exhaust ports, #6 of 6, i noticed you ground down the two nubs in the upper outside corners of the ports. It's where the heat stove assembly bolts on to the head, i assume. My question is, after you ground the nubs down, did it leave an opening to the bottom of the bolt hole?