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​​​​The 407 cui numbers matching Vari-Lift engine (2017 - today)​​​​​

 

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This page is dedicated exclusively to the numbers matching 407 cui Vari-Lift engine that is currently installed in the vehicle. Information about the prototype Vari-Lift engine (2002–2016) can be found here.

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Fall 2016 - Aug. 2017: After irregularities and significantly excessive engine power output were detected by the Road Traffic Authority in 2016, the vehicle's operating license was revoked without further ado. In order to avoid having to disclose the Vari-Lift rocker arm system to the Road Traffic Authority, the inventor decided to remove the prototype engine and replace it with the original engine.
This engine was completely overhauled before installation and equipped with components that would allow the Vari-Lift rocker arm system to be reinstalled.

Specs:

  • ​​​​Mileage (2017 - today): 31000 km (19262 mi)

  • Enginge Block: original Pontiac 350cui matching numbers

  • Bore: 3.905 inch

  • Stroke: 4.25 inch (stroker kit Butler)

  • Displacement: 407 cui

  • Compression ratio: 9.2

  • Rods: Eagle ESP forged H-Beam 6.8 inch center to center with full floating pins

  • Piston: Ross flat tapet

  • Piston rings: Mahle

  • Crank: Eagle 4.25 stroke

  • Bearings: King Bearings 

  • Heads: Factory Heads casting # 94 with 96cc combuistion chamber volume

  • Head gasket: cometic multi layer steel 0.027"

  • Camshaft: Comp Cam hydr. roller 51-413-11 duration int. / exh. 264° / 270°

  • Lifter: Comp Cam hydr. roller lifter CCA 85701-16 (modified to solid lifters)

  • Rocker arms: Vari-Lift rocker system according U.S. Pat. 7,171,930

  • Timing chain: Comp Cam # 174

  • Flywheel: Hays

  • Clutch: Summit racing​​​​

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​​​​The numbers matching Engine block used for the Vari-Lift engine​​​​

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Original numbers matching block with 350 cui displacement

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Serial number and block code (WU =  engine combinated with manual transmission)

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​VIN number corresponding to the car

​Production date: Feb. 19th 1971 night production

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B = February

19 = 19th day

1 = first digit of 1971

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​​​​Built-in components​​​​

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Clearances for large valves (this is a remnant of the 1969 350 HO block, which was equipped with cylinder heads 48, which had 2.11 intake valves and 1.77 exhaust valves).

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Bore: 4.905 inch

The block was bored and honed using a torque plate.

Connecting rods:

ESB H-Beam 

center to center 6.8"

full floating pin

Pistons: Ross flat taped with

full floating pins

Piston rings: Mahle

*Compression ratio: 9.2

(*= in combination with 96ccm combustion chamber and 0.027 head gasket)

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​​​​Built-in components​​​​

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Crankshaft: Eagle  with 4.25" stroke

Crank seal: Thin indian viton

Bearings: King SI series (K-788)

Cylinder Head: Casting # 94

Springs: Comp Cam Beehive

Valves: OEM replacement (new)

Valve Guides: custom made

Valve Seats: 3 angle cut

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Head gasket: Cometic multi layer steel gasket 0.027" thick

Intake manifold gasket: Cometic .060" HTS

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​​​​Built-in components​​​​

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Camshaft: Comp Cam hydr. roller camshaft 51-413-11

duration int. / exh. 264° / 270°

*Valve Lift int. / exh. 0.487 / 0.495

(* = with rocker ratio 1.5)

Lobe separation 110°

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Lifter: Comp Cam hydr. roller lifter

CCA 85701-16 modified to solid lifters with preload spring... see also the section Explanation

Rockers: Comp Cam CCA-1451-16 steel roller tip style

Valve springs: Beehive CCA-26995-16

Retainers: CCA-787-16

Timing chain: Comp Cam # 174

​​​​Built-in components​​​​

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Flywheel: Hays

Clutch kit: McLeod MCL-75021

(this "performance clutch" was not able to handle the torque of the engine. It was replaced later by an Summit clutch kit SUM-700808.

 

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Original intake manifold with the original 2bbl Rochester carburetor

July 2017: Assembled engine ready for installation

October 2017: The vehicle was presented to the Chur Road Traffic Authority with its freshly restored original engine. The vehicle was granted operating approval once again and even received veteran status

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January 2018: The Vari-Lift rocker arm system was adapted to the original cylinder heads of this 407 cui engine and installed in the engine.

​​​​The numbers matching cylinder heads with the Vari-Lift rocker arm system​​​​

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TEXTBLOCK

TEXTBLOCK

TEXTBLOCK

TEXTBLOCK

​​​​Explanation

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The solid lifter with preload spring ensures that the lifters' rollers are pressed onto the cams even when the valve is closed—i.e., during the valve clearance phase—and roll over the cam base circle. Without this feature, the rotation of the lifter rollers would stop during the valve clearance phase, meaning that the rollers would come to a brief standstill. During the next valve lift, the lifters' rollers would be abruptly set in motion again from a standstill and would briefly grind on the cam's start-up ramps.

It is comparable to a aircraft touching down on the ground with its landing gear extended. The tires are set in motion from a standstill to full rotation in a fraction of a second. The resulting smoke trails are caused by friction. It is easy to see that both the tires and the asphalt suffer enormously during this short phase.
The same thing would happen to the cams, and always at exactly the same place, namely on the cam start-up ramps. At 800 rpm, for example, this would happen 400 times per minute. It would only be a matter of time before the cams wore in.

​​​​Built-in components​​​​

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Camshaft: Comp Cam hydr. roller camshaft 51-413-11

duration int. / exh. 264° / 270°

*Valve Lift int. / exh. 0.487 / 0.495

(* = with rocker ratio 1.5)

Lobe separation 110°

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Lifter: Comp Cam hydr. roller lifter

CCA 85701-16

Timing chain: Comp Cam # 174

Flywheel: Hays

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