d510addict Posted February 5, 2011 Report Share Posted February 5, 2011 Hey all I have some stuff to put a engine together but I have a few questions. The head I have is an a87 head and a l16 block, the block is currently board thirty over but the pistons were very damaged. I was thinking of boring out that block to fourty over and use the a87 head on it. Where would you recommend to source the parts and is there a reputable machine shop in the Portland area that any of you would recommend? Do you have recommendations for the pistons? I have 2 of the a87 heads 1 has peanut shaped chambers, the other has round ports with a slight peanut shaped etched inside of the dish. What one would you recommend? I know there is a problem that may come up with too high of compression which is mainly why I am posting and I know there are links for calculating compression and what not but some of the math would be hard for me to do as I do not know the specs of these heads and one of them has had previous machine work done to it but I do not know what was done. One last question, what would be an ideal compression ratio for a higher performance driver? As I want more power out of the l16 but need it to be drivable everyday. Thank you everyone and have a good weekend. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted February 5, 2011 Report Share Posted February 5, 2011 I would find a running or rebuildable L20B. It will cost the same to rebuild anyway and run that. With no performance additions at all you will start with 15-20 more hp because it's 25% larger! Just something to think about. Quote Link to comment
d510addict Posted February 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2011 How much work to get it into a 1970 521? You have a source on a good condition l20b block so I can at least use the a87 that has had work done to, I know it has a mild cam upgrade at least. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted February 5, 2011 Report Share Posted February 5, 2011 I had a 71 521 in the day and put a car L20B into it. Used the L16 oil pan and it dropped right in. Quote Link to comment
hobbes_the_cat Posted February 5, 2011 Report Share Posted February 5, 2011 Every time i go to the junk yard i see a L20 or two. should be just as easy to swap a L20 as a L16. i think the L20 is a little taller but should bolt right up. another option is a L18. not as big but still better to sink money and time into than a little L16. and the L18 is the same on the outside as the L16. Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted February 5, 2011 Report Share Posted February 5, 2011 They are the same block, remove L16, transfer all nessasary parts(motor mounts, alt, oilpan, ect.), then replace engine and go. Quote Link to comment
d510addict Posted February 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2011 Ya there are 2 trucks with l20bs in them at the JY near my place but Im afraid that they will need a lot of work on or will be bad add in the $250 to buy the motor I could be skrewing myself. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted February 5, 2011 Report Share Posted February 5, 2011 A non running j yard motor is worth $50 at best. It's a rebuildable core and if they want more laugh in their face. If they tell you it runs good laugh in their face. If it runs, prove it and take it for a drive. A truck motor is the same as a car motor.... except that the flywheel and clutch is larger. Your L16 flywheel won't bolt on so be sure to get it with it. Quote Link to comment
d510addict Posted February 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2011 And a pick n pull l20b is 270 dollars, block and head alone are 230 what BS. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted February 6, 2011 Report Share Posted February 6, 2011 Yup. The newest L20B out there is over 31 years old!!!! WTF???? If in a vehicle and in condition to start up and run you can see (and hear ) for yourself. If you can drive it around the block or yard even better. If it restarts when hot and idles without overheating then away you go with your bids and offers. If non running it's worth it's weight in scrap metal (and labor to remove from the vehicle) or $50-$75 as a re-buildable core. Unless it belongs to a trusted friend of family member it's buyer beware. Quote Link to comment
DISLEXICDIME Posted February 6, 2011 Report Share Posted February 6, 2011 just stick a set of l24 piston's it or l18 piston's in your l16 . If you want power ditch the l16 Quote Link to comment
d510addict Posted February 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2011 Any one know of a place to pick up an L20b working or not around portland, pick n pull is too much. Quote Link to comment
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