Corvette Engine Build - The Power Principal, Part 2

Our Edelbrock Performer rpm cylinder head was temporarily installed with a weak valvespring to check our Comp Cams 1.6-ratio, high-tech, stainless steel rocker arms for proper rocker-arm geometry and piston-to-valve clearance. We watch the rocker arms roller tip during its full travel, making sure it stays centered on the valve. We also check for a minimum 0.050 piston-to-valve clearance.

This is how we check for proper pushrod length. Our Comp Cams adjustable pushrod length is manipulated until proper geometry is achieved. Once we have the correct length figured out, we measure the pushrod, and in most cases, Comp Cams has the specific length already built unless it's not a typical engine build. Be sure to check both intake and exhaust pushrods for proper length before ordering pushrods.

After we installed our timing cover, the Canton oil pump pick-up and screen was installed on the GM ZZ4 oil pump. The Canton screen has a built-in retainer that bolts to the oil-pump cover to prevent the screen from falling off, plus a tab is provided on the tube to easily tap the tube and screen assembly into the oil pump.

Our Canton oil pan cleared the connecting rods at the oil-pan rail, but the windage-tray tab on the side of the pan had connecting-rod interference that required a little massaging with our small hammer. We applied some assembly grease to the connecting rods and then installed the oil pan to see where the rods hit. Even if the connecting rods don't touch audibly, you should still check them with grease to make sure they aren't too close.

Next, the Edelbrock Performer cylinder heads are bolted on and then torqued to 65 lb-ft. We start from the center bolts and work outward, torqueing the bolts to 45 lb-ft on the first pass, then go back over them in the same pattern and finish at the prescribed 65 lb-ft. The two-step head bolt tightening sequence is not in any manual but it works. After years of assembling many engines without gasket failure, we do it that way every time.

Adjusting the Comp Cams stainless steel roller rocker arms correctly is important and tricky when the lifters aren't pumped up with oil. Once zero lash is found, while the camshaft lobe is at the base circle, 1 1/2 clockwise turns of the lock nut is required. Setting the valves too loose beats up the valve stem; too tight and burned valves can result.

The intake manifold base is now bolted in place, then all the retaining bolts are torqued to the correct specification. We use Teflon pipe sealer on all threads that retain the cylinder heads and intake manifold to prevent water and oil leaks out the bolt threads. The same technique of low-bolt torque then final-bolt torque is used when tightening to allow the gaskets to position themselves evenly without tearing.

Right before we drop the engine in the car, the Fluidamper balancer is installed with our Mac Tools harmonic balancer installer. We chose the Fluidamper balancer because of its extraordinary vibration control. the small diameter of the Fluidamper balancer for the Eagle crankshaft allows plenty of clearance at the crossmember.

We drop the engine in place easily because the manual transmission will be installed from the bottom. Once the engine and transmission are secure, our ancillary components are installed. As you can see, we spent a lot of time cleaning and painting before the engine was set in place.