040 V 109 ?s
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boostmaster
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040 BLOCK
The 040 is from an 84 turbo buick and will work just as well as the 109 block. Note* has a different front cover and uses a 14 bolt oil pan.
The 040 is from an 84 turbo buick and will work just as well as the 109 block. Note* has a different front cover and uses a 14 bolt oil pan.
boostmaster
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Front cover is squared off on 040 vs pointed on 109. And if you use the 040 you have to use the head bolts from an 84 - 85 block and stock steel shim head gasket, cause the deck height is taller.
how fast are you wanting to go, the webbing on a 040 block won't be as sturdy, but they're still fairly strong. There are people into the 11s with a hot air cars, so they can't be all bad =) You can get girdles for em, but IMHO you can go to the yard and get an NA 109 block, have the oil return drilled and probably be better off, if only for the reason that certain block hardware (head bolts/studs, girdles etc) can be easier to get for the 109 block. for $20 can't lose though. Could pull the 109 block, throw the 040 in there and rebuild the 109 block at your leisure....
Hard Block?
I was thinking about using this in a street driven car that may see the track just a few times. I wouldn't want to rule out being able to run low 12s- very high 11s with this thing (once I upgrade needed parts. I will see if I can find a 109 block cheap or what about using hardblock in the lower end? I known I may run a little warmer but it will only see 1000 street miles a year (if that). I plan on some day returning the original engine to the car but for now I would like to make use of the spare parts and not do heavy mods to the stock engine.
I was thinking about using this in a street driven car that may see the track just a few times. I wouldn't want to rule out being able to run low 12s- very high 11s with this thing (once I upgrade needed parts. I will see if I can find a 109 block cheap or what about using hardblock in the lower end? I known I may run a little warmer but it will only see 1000 street miles a year (if that). I plan on some day returning the original engine to the car but for now I would like to make use of the spare parts and not do heavy mods to the stock engine.
The early block will hold up just fine. The main difference is the threads for the headbolts come all the way to the deck instead of being recessed down in the block like the 109. Order bolts for the early block. Head studs are a good idea if you want to go fast and again order them for the early block. The deck is taller on the early blocks so use the original thinner steel shim head gaskets. The later composite gaskets can be used but will slightly lower compresson and could affect lifter preload, manifold fit, etc. I've used both and couldn't really tell a difference.
The oilpan has 14 bolts vs 20 for the 109. Front cover is the same with the exception being the oil pan mating surface is blunt instead of pointed and has 2 bolts instead of 3. Most aftermarket front covers have both bolt patterns and will work with both blocks.
Order cam bearings for the 109 block.
It's not a bad idea to smooth out the rough casting in the lifter valley.
I never got my car to the track with race gas but I went 110mph at 13psi boost and I beat on the car every day usually running 22psi and av gas for the last year or so without any bottom end problems.
The oilpan has 14 bolts vs 20 for the 109. Front cover is the same with the exception being the oil pan mating surface is blunt instead of pointed and has 2 bolts instead of 3. Most aftermarket front covers have both bolt patterns and will work with both blocks.
Order cam bearings for the 109 block.
It's not a bad idea to smooth out the rough casting in the lifter valley.
I never got my car to the track with race gas but I went 110mph at 13psi boost and I beat on the car every day usually running 22psi and av gas for the last year or so without any bottom end problems.
Thanks
Thanks for the reply.
Do you think it would help if I used hard block in the bottom of the engine? I think most of this thing will get my $100 total worth of parts plus tchain, bolt kit,cam fresh rings & bearings, heads rockers
there goes my new turbo money.
Thanks for the reply.
Do you think it would help if I used hard block in the bottom of the engine? I think most of this thing will get my $100 total worth of parts plus tchain, bolt kit,cam fresh rings & bearings, heads rockers
there goes my new turbo money.Lee Thompson
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parts
I have to disagree on the cam bearing. You must have cam bearings for the older 84 block as the 109 blocks have a larger outer dia. on the front and rear bearings. My son is running a 84-85 block in his intercooled 86 Regal--stock pistons-rods and crank with Felpro 1000 head gaskets. Last week he went 10.70 @ 128 on 25 PSI. Shifting @ 5900 RPM. Time will tell how long it will continue to hold as we are going back again this Wed for test and tune. You got a good buy. The .040 over is a tad much but for the money-- use it.
I have to disagree on the cam bearing. You must have cam bearings for the older 84 block as the 109 blocks have a larger outer dia. on the front and rear bearings. My son is running a 84-85 block in his intercooled 86 Regal--stock pistons-rods and crank with Felpro 1000 head gaskets. Last week he went 10.70 @ 128 on 25 PSI. Shifting @ 5900 RPM. Time will tell how long it will continue to hold as we are going back again this Wed for test and tune. You got a good buy. The .040 over is a tad much but for the money-- use it.
Re: parts
That's so much faster than I ever planned on going in this thing! The block is still at standard bore, just needs a little cleaning up.
I will go with the bearings for the 85 turbo block (040) Thanks for the responses
Lee,
What combo is your son running?
That's so much faster than I ever planned on going in this thing! The block is still at standard bore, just needs a little cleaning up.
I will go with the bearings for the 85 turbo block (040) Thanks for the responses
Lee,
What combo is your son running?
Lee Thompson
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combo
I mistook the 040 for .040 overbore. I need a proof reader!!!
My son has a 70 turbo--front mount-Comp. hdy. roller--good heads--and Steve/s ME without the mass airflow. But my point being that it is base 84-85 short block.
I mistook the 040 for .040 overbore. I need a proof reader!!!
My son has a 70 turbo--front mount-Comp. hdy. roller--good heads--and Steve/s ME without the mass airflow. But my point being that it is base 84-85 short block.
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