Northstar rebuild: Will style (Page 5/119)
Will FEB 05, 08:35 AM
Oops... I ordered the timeserts yesterday. The only part of the build that's cheap.... I'm waiting for my check from E*trade to arrive before I order anything else.

I know about gaskets, and I know from talking to wcapman I'll have a couple hundred dollars worth. This part of the budget is for short block assembly stuff that has to be together so that I can get the block machining done. I have gaskets in the long block part of the budget.

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'87 Fiero GT: Low, Sleek, Fast, and Loud
'90 Pontiac 6000 SE AWD: None of the Above

Do that again, only mean it this time

bushroot FEB 05, 12:10 PM
Fel-Pro makes head gaskets.

[Head Gasket SPVQ: 1] L.H.; Head bolts not incl.
Fel-Pro fel 26150PT In Stock: Usually ships in one business day $18.40

[Head Gasket SPVQ: 1] R.H.; Head bolts not incl.
Fel-Pro fel 26151PT Usually ships in 1-3 working days $18.40

They also have head bolts

Fel-Pro fel ES72186 Usually ships in 1-3 working days $26.75

You can find these at: http://www.fel-progaskets.com/Default.aspx

Edit: Here's some more goodies, gaskets, bearings and such: http://www.federal-mogul.com/cda/channel/index/0,2186,2442_7106,00.html

[This message has been edited by bushroot (edited 02-05-2004).]

bushroot FEB 05, 09:49 PM
Bump
jstricker FEB 06, 01:14 AM
Bushroot,

That's one of the most informative sites for parts I've ever seen, a + for you for pointing it out. Their prices aren't bad either. Have you ordered much from them? How's their service? Since I've been burned by 1 "Yahoo vendors" and yahoo would do nothing about it, I shy away from them, but if you have good experiences with them, I'll give them a try.

Personally, though, I'd still stick with the GM head gaskets for the Northstar, but there's a lot more than just that on the site.

John Stricker

quote
Originally posted by bushroot:

Fel-Pro makes head gaskets.

http://www.fel-progaskets.com/Default.aspx
bushroot FEB 06, 12:09 PM
I did order head gaskets and bolts from them (however, knowing that v-dub ARP studs will work now...). I placed my order late in the week if I recall correctly, and received my parts late the next week. I can't recommend them unequivocally, but I had good luck with them. I still need to decide what I'm doing with this engine. It has less than 12k on it, but I really want to raise the compression and get some better rods. I'd like to be able to pull 100 HP/L out of it. Hell, if Honda can get 106 HP/L out of their production multivalves, why can't I do so with some tweaking? I was originally going to breathe on it a little bit, but 8500 RPM or so is sounding better all the time. I'm thinking right around 11.2:1 and 8k-8.5k for a redline.
jstricker FEB 06, 04:03 PM
Leave the compression alone, IMHO, and work on the heads and cams. I think you could get very close to that HP with CHRFab's cams, springs, and head work and not have the detonation worries. Of course, a more aggressive fuel and timing profile will be helpful as well.

John Stricker

quote
Originally posted by bushroot:

I did order head gaskets and bolts from them (however, knowing that v-dub ARP studs will work now...). I placed my order late in the week if I recall correctly, and received my parts late the next week. I can't recommend them unequivocally, but I had good luck with them. I still need to decide what I'm doing with this engine. It has less than 12k on it, but I really want to raise the compression and get some better rods. I'd like to be able to pull 100 HP/L out of it. Hell, if Honda can get 106 HP/L out of their production multivalves, why can't I do so with some tweaking? I was originally going to breathe on it a little bit, but 8500 RPM or so is sounding better all the time. I'm thinking right around 11.2:1 and 8k-8.5k for a redline.
Will FEB 06, 05:46 PM
Coating the pistons and chambers will trap more heat in the combustion products and have the same effect as increasing compression.

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'87 Fiero GT: Low, Sleek, Fast, and Loud
'90 Pontiac 6000 SE AWD: None of the Above

Do that again, only mean it this time

bushroot FEB 07, 09:00 AM

quote
Originally posted by jstricker:

Leave the compression alone, IMHO, and work on the heads and cams. I think you could get very close to that HP with CHRFab's cams, springs, and head work and not have the detonation worries. Of course, a more aggressive fuel and timing profile will be helpful as well.

John Stricker



The only thing from CHRFAB going on my engine are the engine mounts and the remote oil bypass.

Will FEB 07, 12:38 PM
Why nothing else? I think it's a little odd that you're refusing to use any of their other stuff, but will use their external oil filter adapter. I would think that piece wouldn't be hard to make.

------------------
'87 Fiero GT: Low, Sleek, Fast, and Loud
'90 Pontiac 6000 SE AWD: None of the Above

Do that again, only mean it this time

bushroot FEB 07, 06:14 PM
I'm not a machinist. I'm an electrical engineer. Although I do have some machining experience, I would rather pay someone for these parts. My time is worth something to me. The prices quoted by Alan were $55 for the oil bypass and $210 for the mounts. The bypass is a steal. I like his mounts and it would take me quite a while to replicate something like that on a manual mill. I'd rather have someone else do the cams and heads. You forget, mine is the 2000+ Northstar. Alan didn't express enough confidence in his experience with them to justify his pricing. As much as it's his right to charge as much as he likes for his services, it's my right as a potential customer to decide where I'd like to place my trust and money. This isn't intended as an insult towards Alan in any way, so I'd appreciate if it isn't construed as such.