La 318 engine advice

[DirkRhodie]

Good day Gents,
Please assist me in finding a solution to my issue. So I'm rebuilding a 1967 la 318 engine with kb167 pistons, now the issue that's developed due to the machine shop decking the block before I actually gave them the pistons in order toas determine the amount they can deck it too.
Long story short is now on assembly the left/passenger side of the block the pistons are protruding by 0.013 while the right side is flush.
Now the issue is this engine is an early 67 so it has the "66" 273 closed chamber heads so I can't skim the one head slightly less to correct compression.
I do believe one can use different thickness head gaskets to compensate, problem is I'm in South Africa so getting two different thickness head gaskets from a supplier can be an issue as I haven't got any contacts that can assist other that just buying on line and hoping I get the correct gaskets.

Can anyone assist, l'm loading some pics please bear in mind that the dial indicator is in millimetres.
Also loo at the damage the done to the cam bearings which were brand new Clevite Malhe.

Make ones blood boil.

 

[DirkRhodie]

Any help?

 

[Trace 300 Hurst]

My take, briefly:

1. Scuffs on cam bearings are fine. EVERY cam bearing gets little scuffs during assembly.

2. Right Side. When you say "flush", do you mean zero? Like 0.00 negative deck height? Seems you would have a piston to closed-chamber problem with that, unless you're counting on the gasket to provide clearance.

3. Left Side. I'm not sure what your "0.013" positive deck height is (mm or inch), but seems to me that the pistons can be milled to an appropriate deck height, which takes us back to the Right Side. Those pistons might also need to be milled down to get a proper negative deck height.

4. Fiddling with head gaskets to solve the problem? No.

5. And now everybody here can discuss this and then the compression ratio.

So I haven't solved any problems, just brought up considerations.

 

[Trace 300 Hurst]

The next thing you'll probably get here is someone telling you that you need domed forged pistons, aftermarket heads, a blower and nitrous, roller cam. They'll ignore the fact that you're in S. Africa.

 

[Big_John]

IMHO, here's what I would do. First is find another machine shop and figure out what you want for deck height.

Next, I would have the deck cut to even it up. A good shop can get it even without needing the pistons/crank/rods, but will need them to get your desired deck height. The pistons may need to be cut if that positive (.013") deck height is too much.

The other options are find another block, which I understand may be tough in South America, or you could just bolt it together (as long as that positive deck height is OK) and chances are you'll never notice the difference.

 

[DirkRhodie]

Any help

The next thing you'll probably get here is someone telling you that you need domed forged pistons, aftermarket heads, a blower and nitrous, roller cam. They'll ignore the fact that you're in S. Africa.

You totally correct been in South Africa makes it difficult to get honest and correct assistance and then to top it all if one orders the wrong stuff then it's expensive as one can't return as the cost huge.

 

[Big_John]

I'm not sure what your "0.013" positive deck height is (mm or inch)

.34 showing on the metric dial indicator is .013".

 

[DirkRhodie]

My take, briefly:

1. Scuffs on cam bearings are fine. EVERY cam bearing gets little scuffs during assembly.

2. Right Side. When you say "flush", do you mean zero? Like 0.00 negative deck height? Seems you would have a piston to closed-chamber problem with that, unless you're counting on the gasket to provide clearance.

3. Left Side. I'm not sure what your "0.013" positive deck height is (mm or inch), but seems to me that the pistons can be milled to an appropriate deck height, which takes us back to the Right Side. Those pistons might also need to be milled down to get a proper negative deck height.

4. Fiddling with head gaskets to solve the problem? No.

5. And now everybody here can discuss this and then the compression ratio.

So I haven't solved any problems, just brought up considerations.

Thanks for taking the time to put some ideas forward.....issue is like anywhere is getting a machine shop to do it correctly......
But let's see what other input there is from others.

 

[DirkRhodie]

.34 showing on the metric dial indicator is .013".

Correct

 

[Trace 300 Hurst]

Thanks for taking the time to put some ideas forward.....issue is like anywhere is getting a machine shop to do it correctly......
But let's see what other input there is from others.

Big John knows what he’s talking about, and always has realistic solutions.

He rarely recommends a supercharger.

 

[Toolmanmike]

Good day Gents,
Please assist me in finding a solution to my issue. So I'm rebuilding a 1967 la 318 engine with kb167 pistons, now the issue that's developed due to the machine shop decking the block before I actually gave them the pistons in order toas determine the amount they can deck it too.
Long story short is now on assembly the left/passenger side of the block the pistons are protruding by 0.013 while the right side is flush.
Now the issue is this engine is an early 67 so it has the "66" 273 closed chamber heads so I can't skim the one head slightly less to correct compression.
I do believe one can use different thickness head gaskets to compensate, problem is I'm in South Africa so getting two different thickness head gaskets from a supplier can be an issue as I haven't got any contacts that can assist other that just buying on line and hoping I get the correct gaskets.

Can anyone assist, l'm loading some pics please bear in mind that the dial indicator is in millimetres.
Also loo at the damage the done to the cam bearings which were brand new Clevite Malhe.

Make ones blood boil.

View attachment 748615

View attachment 748616

View attachment 748617

View attachment 748618

View attachment 748619

KB 167's sit .010 above deck height. Just be careful using the closed chamber heads as far as piston to valve clearance. I'm not sure what happened, whether they milled both a different amount or just milled one side.

 

[Big_John]

KB 167's sit .010 above deck height. Just be careful using the closed chamber heads as far as piston to valve clearance. I'm not sure what happened, whether they milled both a different amount or just milled one side.

That makes the solution simple... Just have the high deck cut to match.

I wasn't sure if those had a positive deck height.

 

[DirkRhodie]

KB 167's sit .010 above deck height. Just be careful using the closed chamber heads as far as piston to valve clearance. I'm not sure what happened, whether they milled both a different amount or just milled one side.

Milled both sides....

 

[Toolmanmike]

This will get you close on compression if you know your cylinder heads. 62-65 is the range for 273 heads.

 

[71Polara383]

Big John knows what he’s talking about, and always has realistic solutions.

He rarely recommends a supercharger.

I cant wait for the day he does recommend one!!!