Suntzuzuki Posted March 15, 2017 Report Share Posted March 15, 2017 A heartfelt thanks to hobbes_the_cat for hooking me up with this L20B block and W58 head. I'm going to keep a journal here for anyone who's interested and place progress pics all along. I appreciate all the feedback and advice! Sorry the first round of pics aren't that great, I'll get better! Nick 1 Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted March 15, 2017 Report Share Posted March 15, 2017 Nice start... keep your l16 around, plus no one really wants them, at least you'll have the matching numbers in your possession if you ever need or want it. Plus I think you can scavenge some parts off the l16 for the l20 swap... I know at least motor mounts dizzy and oil pump ... Good luck... Quote Link to comment
Busta Nut Posted March 15, 2017 Report Share Posted March 15, 2017 Upgrade the oil pump to a KA oil pump........ 2 Quote Link to comment
Draker Posted March 15, 2017 Report Share Posted March 15, 2017 Looks like a good start! Quote Link to comment
Suntzuzuki Posted March 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2017 Oil pump, check. I also heard putting L18 pistons in an L20 gives you a couple more ponies. And to take off the truck fly wheel and replace it with a lighter one. Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted March 15, 2017 Report Share Posted March 15, 2017 There should be no difference between the l18 and l20 i believe they are the same at 85mm. Unless the l18 had flat top pistons stock. Not sure. but either way a set of flat top pistons would be a good option.. don't know if they need a need the valve relief in the face or not.. There's a lot of guys here with the l20b motor so you'll get alot of good opinions with this post... Quote Link to comment
Doctor510 Posted March 15, 2017 Report Share Posted March 15, 2017 There should be no difference between the l18 and l20 i believe they are the same at 85mm. Unless the l18 had flat top pistons stock. Not sure. but either way a set of flat top pistons would be a good option.. don't know if they need a need the valve relief in the face or not.. There's a lot of guys here with the l20b motor so you'll get alot of good opinions with this post... The dish in the L18 is supposed to be smaller than the L20B. You do not need a valve relief in the pistons. 1 Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted March 15, 2017 Report Share Posted March 15, 2017 Good to know... My experience is mostly surrounding my research and build of my l16... Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted March 15, 2017 Report Share Posted March 15, 2017 L20Bs are 8.4 compression. L18 pistons would give a 9.2 compression but hard to find. Going up one point of compression might give you 3-5 hp at full RPMs and less where you drive at. The increased compression will probably ping so you either lower the timing or run more expensive higher octane gas. I don't think you will fine any L18 pistons. L18 or L20B you will want to bore the block and buy matching over size pistons and rings. Quote Link to comment
john510 Posted March 16, 2017 Report Share Posted March 16, 2017 The L-18 pistons have a 4cc dish and the stock L-20B is 11cc if i recall correctly.Good luck finding L-18 pistons.I found a set for my build but had to use .040 oversize. Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted March 16, 2017 Report Share Posted March 16, 2017 I thought it had to be something like that... went back to my book and found this comparison chart.... 3 Quote Link to comment
Stoney Posted March 18, 2017 Report Share Posted March 18, 2017 L20Bs are 8.4 compression. L18 pistons would give a 9.2 compression but hard to find. Going up one point of compression might give you 3-5 hp at full RPMs and less where you drive at. The increased compression will probably ping so you either lower the timing or run more expensive higher octane gas. I don't think you will fine any L18 pistons. L18 or L20B you will want to bore the block and buy matching over size pistons and rings. Increasing compression will make the motor more driveable/responsive at all RPM. 8.4:1cr these days is low, some modern NA motors are running 12.5:1, granted that is extreme and has EFI and all the mod cons to allow it. But with the right fuel, electronic ignition and a quality tune, upping the compression to 10:1 wont be an issue when tuned properly and will be quite noticeable compared to 8.4:1 Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted March 18, 2017 Report Share Posted March 18, 2017 I would STAY AROUND 9 to 1 . I WOULD SPEN MONEY ON A SET OF SIDEDRAFTS AND HEAD PORTING I FOUND some Ferdral Mogel boxed L18 pistons a long time ago. Got them stashed soemwhere 1 Quote Link to comment
Busta Nut Posted March 20, 2017 Report Share Posted March 20, 2017 I WOULD SPEN MONEY ON A SET OF SIDEDRAFTS AND HEAD PORTING Dude........that's like 2k right there.... ........at the least..... ........did you forget this was Ratsun?? 2 Quote Link to comment
WAGON JON Posted March 20, 2017 Report Share Posted March 20, 2017 Speed costs money. More speed costs more money! KA is more bang for the buck. Purists of the L series would build a 5000 dollar 2.3 or 2.4 L series. My L 2.3 in the little photo of me leaning against that black wagon in the corner there made 149 hp and 175 torque at the wheels. If your not a purist, KA bro! Makes 135 hp at the wheels and goes really good for cheap! Like 1500 dollars or less cheap. Just sayin... 2 Quote Link to comment
paradime Posted March 20, 2017 Report Share Posted March 20, 2017 I'm with banzai510(hainz) on this one. You want to make HP with an L you do it through the head. (please note the capitalized HP meaning big horse power) Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted March 20, 2017 Report Share Posted March 20, 2017 All HP comes from the head. Quote Link to comment
Suntzuzuki Posted March 28, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2017 Digging in...only had time to pull the first piston, my mother in law is in town and we're playing tour guides but here goes: All things considered the engine seems ok so far. It is locked up and the second piston was much more resistant, I hit it with some PB Blaster and let it soak but didn't have time to go back to it. I'm hoping it was bearings that locked up the engine and the cylinder walls are still good. More pics to come. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted March 29, 2017 Report Share Posted March 29, 2017 Check the wear ridge at top of cylinder. Excessive ridge will catch the ring and you may damage the ring land pounding it out. Engine looks like it could have done with more frequent oil changes. Just some cylinder rust.... doesn't take much to lock up the engine. 1 Quote Link to comment
Suntzuzuki Posted March 29, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2017 Thanks, Mike! I was using the wood handle of my rubber mallet to push the pistons out, slow and low pressure. I'll be sure not to force it. Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted March 29, 2017 Report Share Posted March 29, 2017 You could always pull the crank and pull the piston out the bottom..... If you plan on boring the engine make sure you reinstall the main caps before you do. I think you wanna torque them to spec too not sure but I did.... Quote Link to comment
Suntzuzuki Posted March 29, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2017 Thanks, Crash! I may do just that. Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted March 29, 2017 Report Share Posted March 29, 2017 Busta Bolting on Sidrdrafts and head is a 1 day job. Getting a KA with relay wire harness with a newbie is abit more time. That looks like my Green truck Sunzucki Quote Link to comment
Suntzuzuki Posted April 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2017 So finally got back to work on the block...looks like some serious damage on #3. Now do I replace just the rod or the piston as well? Also does the crank look damaged beyond repair? The fact that all the lobes are brown but the #3 is black, plus the wear on it is concerning. Not sure a machine shop can rescue this one. Quote Link to comment
Draker Posted April 7, 2017 Report Share Posted April 7, 2017 You have a two options.. Find another crank Have this crank turned down and install new oversized bearings. Finding another crank might be cheaper. 1 Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.