Build Thread Enola- Finishing touches

first gear, 2.84:1, second gear, 1.55:1, third gear, 1.00:1, overdrive, 0.70:1
Builds boost in first gear at the shift 6200rpm
Second gear I finally hear the gate open at 4500rpm
This is why I want to gear it up more by the time im into boost its time to lift

I can control all aspects of the shift points and I already pull 6* of timing during the shift so it does not shake the tires. [and helps to not make the trans explode] I use RPM based upshifting at WOT
 
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I vote for 373s in your situation. Sounds like you do need it. You can always tailor the tune for the car to put down power where you want.
 
I decided to go to a 3.55 gear...
What a huge difference over the 3.08 gearset I am really glad I did not go to the 3.73 as they would have made the car a smoke show.
the car gets sideways on me now on the shift I had to pull a bunch more timing during the shift to stop hard wheelspin
 
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I am starting to hate this car.

I have a plug fouling issue now, cylinders 5-7 are oil fouling plugs.
I installed new plugs and let the car idle for 15min, I got a misfire. Shut it down and went in for the evening.
Next day pulled all 8, I have 5 that are white/very little color (as expected) and 3 that are fouled with oil glaze and slightly wet at the ground strap. (I assume from oil dripping off the valve).

Had an extra set of eyes help me hunt the issue, with the high ram I can look all the way down and see the valve. I do not see the gasket leaking.

I smoke tested the intake and found no leaks, I even opened the intake valves and put the spark plugs back in to see if I would get smoke from anywhere. I got what looks like a perfectly sealed up engine.

I am down to value guide seals that look like they are brand new.... they are the blue ones I know those are cheapies but for this issue only 2000 miles in.

Looking for feedback and ideas I have not yet tried. Can't run the car as all the rockers are off, I pulled the studs to make sure they had sealant.
 
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Are the valve seals still seated. I had to change springs early on because the seals were riding up the valve stem as the spring was hitting them on rebound. It’s worth getting good deals anyway but it is a bit of a pain to change.
 
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Damn man. Valve seals aren't that bad to do in the car. They shouldn't be leaking with that low mileage but ive seen it before. Don't hate the car. If it didn't break you'd get bored with it. Sometimes you just have to except the love hate relationship.
 
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Damn man. Valve seals aren't that bad to do in the car. They shouldn't be leaking with that low mileage but ive seen it before. Don't hate the car. If it didn't break you'd get bored with it. Sometimes you just have to except the love hate relationship.
I have other projects i need to move onto before my wife threatens divorce :O_o:

The idea was i get this car done and then move on.... I think I may just do the valve seals AND the intake gaskets just to rule everything out.
 
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I gotta say, these types of issues are what has me keeping my build N/A. As much as Id love to go all out with boost on my Dart block, an N/A stroker should be bullet proof and be less prone to issues hopefully. My wife will also be on my ass if it carriers on and on.
 
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and a video just in case you want to hear me rant and breath heavily :cautious:
 
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Did the head surface of the block or heads get milled a little? Maybe your intake mating surface needs a little milling to match the angle now?
the heads are out of the box, the intake is also out of the box. The deck on the block.... eh IDK It appears the block was zero decked.

Looking at the gaskets it appears that the top of the gasket sealed up nicely but the bottom maybe had a gap.

I did smoke test the engine and nothing came out of the crank case but it only tests at 1psi not the 14inHG it will see at idle [-7psi]

The gasket most definitely looks wet on a couple of the ports and that alone is enough for reversion to kick that oil into a mist.

When it goes back together I am going to be using two sets of 1262 felpro gaskets glued together for a total gasket thickness of .120 that should give me enough give on the gasket to get the job done right.
 
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Well... I did intake gaskets and valve guide seals.

Still fouled those same 3 plugs..... :fuss::fuss::fuss::fuss::fuss::fuss::fuss:

so... this leads us to two potential causations..
1. ring issue which is weird, the engine has zero blowby not even a hint of smoke or mist from the breathers.
2. cracked block.... I dont know on this one you would think that it would have a coolant issue or a overheating issue.
 
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