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88GMCtruck's never ending 88 GMC build thread

Still a good candidate. Bumping the compression a little will wake it up. If it were mine I'd do a two valve relief flat-top, zero deck, with the slightly larger chamber you have and shoot for 9.3- 9.7:1 .

Do some measurements and run the numbers through a detailed compression calculator.

Just my $.02...
 
Lol I need to fix that typo. It is a Gen VI block. I haven't pulled the manifold to see if it's roller yet, but it is ready for it if not.

Stock it's 8.2 compression, I'd like to see it around 9.2. Id like to not tear into the bottom end on this motor.
 
Started some teardown tonight. Ran the casting number and date code, looks like it was cast February 14, 1996.

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Some of the stuff that a Gen V / Gen VI block have. Aluminum valve covers, non-adjustable rockers, unique heads, revised cooling, revised oiling system, dedicated oil cooler ports, one piece rear main, and a 4-bolt main.
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And the stuff that only Gen V blocks have. Mech fuel pump provision (gen V lost them), redesigned lifter valley with provisions for a roller cam, and a aluminum timing cover.
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Been researching and I think I need to find a set of 96+ Vortec heads.
 
No pictures, but I have some news.

I got a killer deal on a never ran takeout roller cam and lifter setup from a vortec motor. $115. I could not pass that up. All the hardware to make this a roller. Then found never ran GMPP Mercruiser cam for $35. Picked up ARP head bolts for $45 and a GMPP zz502 timing set for $48.

So the plan is now run the mercruiser roller cam, it looks like it will pair nicely with the powerband I want. The mercruiser motors made a good deal over 300HP with vortec heads. I found a few sets just haven't pulled the trigger on them yet. Sort of waiting on funds at the moment.
 
Received the GMPP timing set and ARP head studs today. My dad is giving me a Edelbrock Performer RPM dual plane manifold, so that will save a few $$. Have a few other parts to get ordered up, gaskets, heads, TBI rebuild kit, and TBI adapter.

This weekend the truck is getting the motor and trans pulled. Trans needs a rebuild while we are at it.
 
Welp, didn't get quite enough motivation to pull the motor and trans, I did however do a bunch of other stuff.

Dad gave me an Edelbrock Performer RPM manifold he had. It's a squarebore so I ordered an adapter for it. Overall cheaper than buying a manifold outright.
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Yesterday I pulled the heads and dis-assembled the TBI, and today I spent the afternoon sandblasting lots of parts and pieces. After pulling the heads, then cleaning.
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Mercruiser cam, installed with Gen VI thrust retainer, and installed ZZ502 timing set.
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Manifold and TBI sandblasted
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While I was cleaning, Dad decided to remove the lump from the emissions ports. Figured since I'm running the manifolds they should flow somewhat decently.
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Another batch of parts arrived!

Factory take out Gen VI 454 Roller setup. I won't be running this cam, it's a stock L29 Vortec cam.
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454 Roller lifter VS Flat Tappet lifter.
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Roller lifters installed with dogbones
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Retaining plate
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Comparison of Gen V and Gen VI pushrod guides. The Gen VI ones are labeled "Hi Perf" which makes me considerably giddy.
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I also sent off the engine specs to TBICHIPS to get the custom chip process started.
 
Still waiting on the heads to show up next week, so i'm trying to get all the little details worked out now while i have time. One of the details that has been driving me crazy is the passenger side accessory bracket. The donor was a non-A/C truck so it had a dummy pulley. I'm going to retain A/C in my truck. I've been searching for weeks to try and find a bracket locally (or one online cheap) and haven't had much luck. In my searches I did find this
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Adapters from Kwik Performance. They utilize the aluminum 2-piece brackets GM used on 90-94 smallblock and V6 motors. After being unable to find the 454 bracket, I went to the junkyard and snagged up these.

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The right one is driver's side alternator and power steering pump bracket. The two left are different variations of the passenger side bracket. The middle is A/C only, left is A/C and Smog pump. Why on earth did I buy a smog pump bracket?

No, i'm not running a smog pump. It is the perfect location for a second alternator. After thinking about it and considering I have a spare, I figured why not? It will be isolated from the main electrical system. The idea is it will run a few accessories, primarily a 110V inverter, and be wired to charge the trailer while driving. The inverter will be able to power tools and such, as well as a 110V air compressor that I have.

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Took a bit of grinding and cutting, but here is the result. I'm not 100% sold on it's position yet, as there is another alternator clocking out there that might look better?!

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Motor and Trans go bye bye.

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Also did a bit of porting between the TBI adapter and manifold. Tried to smooth things out.
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Goals this week are to finish sand blasting/painting parts for prep, clean up the engine bay, figure out the wiring harness and rebuild the NV4500.
 
So, last week I received more parts.... And one was missing. Turns out the head company didn't ship one of my heads. So I'm waiting on that. No huge deal, still had more things left to do.

End of the week I started cleaning up and painting things.
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Over the weekend I did a lot of work. Got the NV4500 rebuilt first thing, then worked on more go fast. Started with shaving the throttle shafts and rebuilt the TBI.
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Comparing the TBI peanut ports to the Vortec heads.
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Getting the heads installed with ARP bolts.
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While all this was going on, my dad took over painting the valve covers for me. They are black, with the small ribs raw sandblasted aluminum and large ones polished and everything cleared. The raw sandblasted stuff turns grey when painted, as more obviously shown on the intake manifold.
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I decided I had to do a teaser mockup as well.
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After thinking about everything, I realized this emblem is quite perfect for the covers. I need to get another one and epoxy them on...
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The rest of the parts should be here over the next few days, and my plan is to put it together and fire it off this weekend.
 
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