I got the 345/727 pulled on saturday, separated the slush-box and mounted the 345 on the engine stand. I need to open it up and give it a look over. I was planning on pulling a couple of main caps, inspecting the inserts and plasti-gauging them. Same thing with rod bearings to see if they are still in spec. Rebuild the oil pump (might as well while the engine is out and easy to get to). Probably yank the heads off and make sure all is well under there and check the cylinder walls. I guess I'll have to pull the camshaft to inspect the cam bearings.

If the cam bearing are shot, can they be replace in the garage or do I really need to take it to a machine shop for that? I know the rear cam bearing has be installed just right to not block off oil flow to the top end, but is it doable at home? Anything esle I should eyeball while I'm in there?

Pop out all the freeze plugs. I have seen many SV engines with a ton of casting sand left in the water jackets. The cam bearings are very doable at home, but the install tool is kind of expensive to only use every few years!

Originally posted by Old Scout
Pop out all the freeze plugs. I have seen many SV engines with a ton of casting sand left in the water jackets. The cam bearings are very doable at home, but the install tool is kind of expensive to only use every few years!
How expensive compared to having a machine shop pop them in? (ballpark figures of course)

My machine shop charged me 15.00 for labor on my 440, and the tool is 125.00!

try the tool rental places.. i think even auto zone rents them

I can't find any of the cheap ones.

These are $250 or so:
Powerhouse (http://www.powerhouseproducts.com/store/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PH&Product_Code=POW101025&Category_Code=BEARING)

http://www.bhjinc.com/tools/cam_bearing_installation_tool.html

Originally posted by Old Scout
Pop out all the freeze plugs. I have seen many SV engines with a ton of casting sand left in the water jackets.

fawk is that wat that shit was :eek:

I thought the PO did somthing