Trying things in the 408 in the Malibu just to see what ET it’s worth

Got some good work in now that the weather is cooperating. Cam, timing gear and pump all in along with ICT Billets supplied rear timing cover and the cam sensor block off doohickey as I’m running this Gen3 block as a Gen4. Found some residual carnage from the old block. I was reusing the Cam retainer plate because it was near new. On assembly I noticed stress cracks and that the plate was bowed. The detonation at the back of the block was hard enough to kick the cam forward and break the plate. Yikes. 😳 Way over paid for a Felpro one from the local store to keep things rolling along.

Got rained in, today. Wanted to get the block mounted to the stand, but I need to do it outside because the hoist doesn’t fit in my garage. So instead I masked and painted the new short block on the floor. Wanted to do Pontiac silver-blue, but all I had left was silver… so sticking with the aluminum block look. But, just as I was cleaning up I found a ICT Billet adapter laying around. It’s the first part of the long block!

Check out whats new this week

I just picked up my first professionally built short block… and finished paying that bill. But unlike my other debts at least I can look at and touch this one. It’s a late Gen3 6.0L bored to 4.030 with forged Mahle pistons and Callie rods. Rings gapped for boost. Main studs. I’m building the rest out myself to Gen4 specs to keep my harness, ECU and most of my tune intact. I’m nervous having a toy this expensive now, but the confidence that Alan and his crew at ARC Performance Engines in Rockaway NJ are going to keep me from pick up tiny bits of engine again.