79 camaro 383 stroker new build

[briangearhead]

Make

Chevy

Model

Camaro

Year

79

Miles

0

Engine

383 stroker

I had a 355 that I have recently turned in to a 383 stroker , bought a complete eagle rotating assembly , honed the cylinders installed new cam bearings , even decided to purchase a new set of aluminum heads while I was at it , the engine has a voodoo hydraulic roller cam , roller lifters and roller rockers .. the problem I'm having is the valve train sounds like a diesel engine .. and it's definitely coming from the valve Train .. ALSO .. when I Rev it up its smoking !! I was told to use synthetic oil .. so I got valvoline 10w-30 ... was doing alittle research and I've seen to NOT use synthetic and I've seen that you can .. about ready to pull my hair out .. I read that the oil could be to thin for the rings to seal and causing the smoke and the same for the lifters ... any advice will be appreciated

 

[billr]

I don't think the syn oil is the problem here, but changing the oil/filter would eliminate that possibility. If the engine has only been run for a short while, I don't think you opportunity for a good break-in will have been lost. In fact, maybe just some more running with the syn is all that is needed to get rid of the smoke. Certainly there is no problem using syn oil after break-in.

And, I don't think the oil type can ever be blamed for the valve noise. My first guess there is low oil pressure; but surely you have a gauge on it for oil pressure???

Have you contacted Lunati? Was any special machining needed on the heads or block for this cam kit? I am thinking especially of the springs needing deeper pockets so the coils don't fully close.

 

[grcauto]

Did you use assembly lube when putting it together? How much time has it been running since the build was finished?

 

[briangearhead]

The cam wasn't a kit .. cam , pushrods and lifters where all separate ... they were retro fit .. since my 79 block wasn't set up for a roller cam .... had this cam set up in my 355 .."same block" had no problems ,nice and smooth .. the heads I bought were set up for my year of engine .. and a hydraulic roller cam so I'm assuming that's all good .. as for the oil pressure i Installed a high pressure and high volume oil pump .. 75 psi at idle ....

Did you use assembly lube when putting it together? How much time has it been running since the build was finished?

 

[briangearhead]

Yes I used Lucas ensemble lube .. engine has been started probably 4 times ... only for a couple minutes each time since I haven't put water or antifreeze in it yet.. I have oil coming out all the pushrods also .. so I figured everything is getting oil ?

 

[briangearhead]

View attachment 20230215_164334.mp4

 

[briangearhead]

View attachment 20230215_163813.mp4

 

[grcauto]

What did you hone it with?

 

[briangearhead]

 

[billr]

What grit on the hone?

" I have oil coming out all the pushrods also .. so I figured everything is getting oil ?"

Does that mean you don't have a gauge on it now??? I doubt oil pressure is your problem, but if I fired an expensive engine for the first time, and it made "worrisome" noises, I would get a gauge on it immediately! I can't reliably tell if a spurt of fluid to atmosphere is from a 5 psi source or 50 psi.

 

[billr]

This computer does not have sound. I will listen to the videos later...

 

[briangearhead]

Bill if you read the post above I said I have 75 psi at idle

 

[billr]

I missed that post entirely! Sorry. I better listen to the video...

 

[billr]

I'm not getting any better clues from the videos with sound. My only suggestion is to run it longer. Maybe pull the pan and look for any obvious problem from the stroker crank; like hitting the windage tray or rods/pistons hitting something.

 

[grcauto]

Bill if you read the post above I said I have 75 psi at idle

That's to high. Should be closer to 40.
Forgot this was a cold engine but still quite high.