Engine and Transmission Tech

Fred, since (2) of my blanks are set up for sbc style, 3 bolt drive, I thought I would "horde" mine. So your dog bones are held with something like a jacking-rod, off the underside of the head? Good Luck, on your build, roverman.

Art, LS Chevy and newer V6's use plastic box like structures, I haven't seen Fred's set up but wonder if it's similar.




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/24/2011 05:59PM by mgb260.

Small block Chevy spider cut and welded to work on Buick V6:

I tried the LS engine lifter boxes but they are far too long and wide to fit the Rover block. The spyder idea is attractive but I'm very reluctant to drill and tap the very fragile center webs of the lifter valley. Lots of other engines use the lifter box arrangement and I like the idea but the scalloped shape of the rover block causes problems with fitment. I have an old 3.5 block hanging on the wall at the shop and drive my techs crazy when they have anything apart that uses a roller lifter. They don't even ask anymore. They just hold the parts up to see if they might fit. Even the Lovely Lynne has come up with a few ideas.
Art is pretty close. I made up some spring steel plates that fit under the pushrods and use the heads to hold them down. Like a spyder only sideways. I toyed with the jacking rod idea for a while and I'm pretty sure it would work. But what happens if a lifter and dog bone jamb? Total carnage I think. All the OEM guys use a spring like affair or have something that has some "give" to it. Probably for a reason. My R and D department funding is an embarasment compared to theirs so I think I'll follow their lead and give mine some give as well.

Cheers
Fred

Fred, Sounds interesting. Would like to see pics. Just kidding with the animation(LOL).




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/25/2011 04:43AM by mgb260.

Hi Jim. The Chevy spider was close, but as you can see in the picture it is slightly wider than what would be perfect. I was heading in the direction of taking two Buick 3800 6 cylinder spiders and splicing them, using bolts, to come up with a 8 cylinder spider.

I admire the guts of someone who welds spring steel. I thought that might be impractical. I was making plans to overlap the ends of two spiders, removing the two extra fingers on the ends of each one (making two spiders, each holding down four pairs of lifers), leaving sections that would overlap.

Another approach might be to simply make two 4 cylinder spiders by cutting down two 3800 spiders, or splitting one Chevy spider, and bolting them to a rail that runs front-to-back through the lifter valley. The Chevy spiders could be used if they are cut in half and then grinding the outsides of the fingers slightly to clear lifters.

I like the idea of a piece of channel (rail)full length with tabs bent up and bolted to tapped holes in front and back of block. Drill and weld two flanged nuts in channel to bolt spider down. Paul, you should check out the Caddy 4.9 spyder, might be perfect.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/10/2011 07:50PM by mgb260.