z :: pulling apart the 302

Check out how clean it is inside the IM, in comparison to the rest of the top of the motor. This is one dirty ass motor.

After getting back from Chicago, I took a few days to "rest" before starting back up on the Z. Yesterday, I pulled off the carb, then today I pulled off the intake manifold with the chief intention of finding out whether or not the engine was the 220 hp, roller-cam equipped model (rather than the 175 hp, flat tappet lifter model).


First, I took off all the spark plugs so that I could turn the motor more easily.


In the process I managed to break one


Then I started removing the various vacuum hoses. This seemed more complex than it actually was, but I am a little skeptical about my ability to put everything back where it belongs. I took lots and lots of pictures like this one to try to help me piece it all back together later.


There are two plastic sensor-looking deals at the back of the motor which have tons of vacuum lines running to them. I'm not sure what they do, but I'm beyond caring.


I then backed out all of the bolts holding the intake manifold on. Strangely enough, the ones at the edges were black oxide, and the ones in the middle were zinc chromate (gold). Look carefully at the black one on the far right - I had to zap this one out with the impact gun, and you can clearly see where the threads had rusted off.


Here's another weird point of interest. The IM cannot be removed without removing the valve covers first, because the valve covers have little protrusions on them to prevent this from happening. This makes absolutely no sense to me, considering there is a 0% chance the intake manifold would ever work itself loose. Anyway, took that shit off. I know it's a blurry picture, but this archaic pushrod technology gets me every time. Overhead cams...that's some good shit right there.


Dragged the IM outside and sat on the step for a good hour scrubbing grime off of it with a scotch brite pad, a bucket, a towel, and a toothbrush. I wish I could afford hot tanking...


The final product won't win any shows, but it looks ok. Even with healthy amounts of carb cleaner and compressed air, I couldn't get into those little valleys.


And the million dollar photo, the one that reveals a spring plate and lifter guides, which teh internets tells me are indicators of roller lifters. Roller lifters = 220 hp, as compared to the stock 140. Celebration!!!!

A good day's work. Next, I'll have to decide how many of the gaskets I want to replace before throwing the whole thing back together.