Vlad's rides thread

[vlad01]

The V6 engines did have dipsticks in the side of the block for the US market, there is a plug in the side of the block so it may be fairly easy to adapt a ecotec type dipstick.

Already looked at that. 2 problems.

1. the holes is wayyy bigger the the dipstick tube, fall right through.

2. its in a different location compared to ecotec and the dipstick actually ends up in the shallow part of the sump where there is no oil lol, you know that bit that goes over the K frame and funnels in the oil to the deep part of the sump.

That hole was used on the US metal sump that was centrally located unlike out offset sumps.

So I must have a receptacle machined up and welded in to the front as per late VP or VR models.

[vlad01]

So here it is. Testing on another block I have.

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nicely across the back there.

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You can see the strength in it, its real solid fit. Also the sump flange is wider than the block's one so the sealant will be coated to the block to prevent exposed sealant inside the engine which could have the potential to break off. I will be testing how much I need on this block, it will be a bees dick worth as there is virtually no space to fill. Though this block is a bit low at the back pass side. I checked it with a straight edge and was low by about an estimated 0.05, the sump is dead flat. With a a bright phone light inside I checked for light something through the interface, none at all except a fraction in that low spot. So hopefully my actual block will be flat.

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Dead perfect flat fit across there, like it was meant to be.

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You can see where I have to add a thread, also the difference in the new hole size vs the old, only about 0.1mm or there abouts.

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The precision alignment. Could not be happier, incredible considering I drill with a cordless drill haha.

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like a dick in a pussy fit

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[vlad01]

Oh and I forgot to mention that you must use an ecotec oil pick up. The pre-eco one gets squished against the sump bottom closing off the pipe inside the screen. The ecotec one is angled forward at the end by about 30º whilst the sump is angled the the other way by about 10º, effectively creating a wedge for the oil to be sucked up from.

[vlad01]

So I got some gaskets and head bolts . And all my spare front end disassembled and pressure washed at the local car wash Then all this stuff plus other bits will hit the sand blasters, lots of rust and dirt, stones stuck in the strut that needs blasting before a good coat of paint.

I have NOS boge shocks to go in there which I scored the other week for $93

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Durapro head gasket kit, very comprehensive and excellent quality unlike some other brands.

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Compared to an old stock ACL one, the thickness is the same as well as the ID of the fire ring, well tinny bit smaller on the Durapro. However the fire ring is much wider than the cheaper aftermarket as seen it the pic, same width as the original factory. Also graphite like factory, not Chinese news paper? like the other cheaper brands.

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[psyolent]

where do you get your sand blasting done dude?

[vlad01]

this guy. http://beadblast.com.au/contact.html

good rates and good job. Saves me hours of hassle and money too.

[psyolent]

cool. near where i used to work. thx man

[HQ355]

I've used him a few times, does a good job and he's only 2mins away

[psyolent]

30 for me. bit further away

[vlad01]

Have to do the brakes on the VP, so using the VR to take my disks for machining tomorrow. Been a while since I drove it, the VP definitely feels faster than the VR lol. Maybe the weight difference?

Anyway compared plugs from the the two, VR looks good other than the metal ring looking a little black. VP looked the same but had speckles on them so its appears to be detonating a little. Might back the timing off 2% and see how it goes.