Chevy Stroker 6.3L

Spongo · Post by **Spongo** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 8:34 am

Can anyone help me with a query, I have a 6.3 Chevy engine in my motor and I have taken the inlet manifold off as there was a slight oil leak at the back of the block (common problem I am told), anyway took the manifold off and found a spacer between the manifold and the cylider heads, its about 10mm thick and the heads have been re-drilled and tapped to accomodate the fact that is sits higher on the engine. Does anyone have any ideas as to what this is for and why was it done, I now have to get some gaskets made for it as well

chodjinn · Post by **chodjinn** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 9:09 am

Has the block been decked? Or the heads skimmed? Or is the inlet manifold the correct one for the block/heads you have?

!0mm seems like a fair chunk for a spacer ...

If it is just a spacer then surely you can use the normal gaskets?

Spongo · Post by **Spongo** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 9:21 am

The issue is that the heads have been redrilled / tapped for the inlet manifolds, being higher on the engine then I cannot now remove the spacer

as the manifold wont fit. Yes it is the correct manifold as I have checked the part numbers etc its a TPI setup from a Corvette, found someone who can do the gaskets they are Ramgaskets and can do pretty much anything you need by all accounts.

I think it may be an Overfinch modification as they do seem to do some very strange things but if anyone can shed any light on it I would be grateful.

kiwicar · Post by **kiwicar** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 1:31 pm

Hi
the most likely situation is that the heads are Vortec and the inlet is for the earlier style, how to tell is to look at the bolt pattern for the rocker covers, Vortec have center bolt holes, the earlier heads have the bolts around the side. Bolt holes for mounting the two types of manifold to the heads differ and the inlet manifold faces (normally) have different angles to the mating facesand the ports are higher above the deck face on vortecs your saying the plates have been bolted in place makes me thing that this is the case. They have probably had the head faces machined back to fit the adapters and make everything fit. I am left a bit puzzled as to why this would all be done though, Vortec style heads with mating faces that will match the earlier style have been around for a fair while and are pretty cheep, and then why fit the dreaded TPI set up

The other thought is that this is in fact a LT1 block that has been rebuilt as a "normal" chevy small block, does it have a conventional distributor of the odd set up on the front of the crank around the timing cover.
Best regards
Mike

Spongo · Post by **Spongo** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 3:15 pm

No dizzy at all and from what I managed to see of the engine casting numbers I think this is a Mexican block which would be right for Overfinch as thats what they used (well mostly), so do you reckon I could get a different inlet manifold and it would fit or do you think it may have been too far modified for that?

When I say TPI its got the 8 injectors but an MS2 that drives them and the sparks so its not really a TPI, oh and yes it does have Vortec heads, that I got from the head casting numbers.

kiwicar · Post by **kiwicar** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 8:59 pm

Hi
ooh I think I guessed right then

The most likely approach will be that they have done all the modifications to the heads so they can just bolt on any older style inlet manifold.
Where are you based? my inlet manifold is off the engine at the moment, it is for the older style heads and we could check it against your engine if you want.
Good idea dumping the dizzy by the way. There is little wrong with the Mexican blocks once they have done about 30K miles, if they have Quality control issues they generally surface well before then, they are also a good bit lighter than the earlier US blocks and can still be bored at least +40 thou is it the later block that takes a roller cam as standard?
best regards
Mike

Eliot · Post by **Eliot** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 8:09 am

kiwicar wrote:Hi
the most likely situation is that the heads are Vortec and the inlet is for the earlier style,Mike

Was my first thought too.

Spongo · Post by **Spongo** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 11:23 am

I am in sunny Doncaster so a bit of a way off, I will get some pictures sorted as well, as for roller CAM etc I have no idea but will take a peek now the inlet manifold is off

And thanks for all the advise / help its great to have some like minded people with knowledge on here

kiwicar · Post by **kiwicar** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 7:29 pm

Hi
that is a bit of a shame I was in Sheffield at 3 30pm this afternoon I could have come and said hello!
Anyway looking at the pictures it is Vortec heads and a TPI manifold (earlier pattern). With a 6.3l (383 ci engine) and a TPI manifold it shouldn't be lacking grunt!
best regards
Mike

Spongo · Post by **Spongo** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 10:26 pm

Wel if you are ever up this way again let me know, I do fairly regular trips to Southampton as well so that may be a plan as well, it's got grunt 0-60 in about 6.5 seconds

kiwicar · Post by **kiwicar** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 8:14 am

Hi
"it's got grunt 0-60 in about 6.5 seconds"

That has got to be fun

. . . . does it come with the brace of Purdeys in the gun safe in the boot?
best regards
Mike

Spongo · Post by **Spongo** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 8:51 am

Ahh no that would be a Holland and Holland you would need, it can pass almost anything bar a petrol station

There is a youtube video of this when Clarkson tested one hopefully the link is below

Spongo · Post by **Spongo** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 11:58 am

Ok some more advice needed as I cant seem to get what I need from Google, is there a UK supplier for Chevy TPI gaskets? I need all of the standard inlet manifold gaskets as well as the custom ones.

Think maybe I am looking and not seeing

kiwicar · Post by **kiwicar** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 12:44 pm

Hi
the inlet manifold to head gaskets will fit provided the holes for the ports are big enough, just measure the hole and look on real steel for a match and part number, the inlet manifold includes the rubber thingies at each end and the distributor gasket. Other gaskets are quite a lot more specialist, look for a 307 corvette around 1984 ish should be about right or make your own. . . may be simplest in the long run. Got some pictures of what you need?
Best regards
Mike

Spongo · Post by **Spongo** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 2:55 pm

Yes was thinking of using Real Steel for the inlet gaskets, its really the TPI ones I cant find in UK, I suppose I could make them but what from ?

The ones on the car could be re-used but I dont like doing that as invariably you get leaks after that, I will try to get pictures later today