The sounds you are hearing are original motor sounds 
from our Bolam's Express Chevy V-6 motor back in the 1980's

Ongoing Progress

Click on the buttons below to get the updates for those two weeks.

( I'll put the newest information near the top of the page 
so if you want to read the whole story, read from the 
bottom of the page by the dates of the notes.)

Instructions For Building a Chevrolet 229 C.I V6 

And The Newer 262 V-6

 By Bob Bolam (originally compiled in 1982 or 1983)

Revised 2007 

This procedure is written with some items concerning the construction to be already assumed; i.e.: basic engine knowledge, and that some builder’s have their own assembly procedures.

Must 

1. A Chevrolet 229 V-6 block with the original bore of 3.736” and a stroke of 3.480”. The four bolt (part # 14011066) heavy-duty block or the standard two bolt (part # 14014441) main block can be used. The diameters for the intake and exhaust valves are as follows: intake, 1.840” and exhaust, 1.500”.
2. The current APBA rule book, to insure that all other 225-class rules are followed during assembly.
3. Two books which contain much needed data on part numbers and dyno testing are 1) “Chevrolet Power” by General Motors and 2) “V-6 Performance” by Pat Ganahl of S-A Design Books.

Options Used For The V-6 

1. Most of the small block Chevrolet performance parts will fit the V-6, without much modification.
2. Chevrolet intake manifold (part #’s 14044803 and 1404804).
3. Brooks pistons (10.5 – 1) and Brooks rocker arms (1.5 – 1 ratio) and 3/8” rocker studs. TRW 305 Chevrolet pistons 13.5 – 1 compression, (part # L246BF), TRW piston rings (part # T9115.5).
4. Chevrolet 350 rods, (you either have to rework the rod or crankshaft widths to use these rods – take .050” off the big end of the rod).
5. Standard block and heads, heavy-duty blocks and aluminum blocks and heads are available for your use.
6. Crane camshaft (part # 17-F-260/3694-2S-6) and Iskenderian valve spring set flat with a height of 1.875” and 120 lbs at the seat and 380 lbs open.
7. Lifters are sealed power (part # AT-992) and Chevrolet push rods (part # 366277).
8. Holly 4-barrel, 600 CFM carburetor (part # 4776) and a Iskenderian carburetor plate welded to be able to turn the carburetor in a north and south direction to the motor (or front to back).
9. The distributor is a stock HEI with a 1976 Chevrolet straight six cap and rotor. The counter weights and vacuum advance have to be locked down (to insure the advance stays at the exact degree your engine requires for optimum performance). You will have to run a remote HEI coil with this setup. This setup is enables the carburetor to clear the distributor. Also, after market distributors are available now.
10. Rod bolts are Mr. Gasket S.P.S 3/8” (part # 2984). Poly Locks are Mr. Gasket 3/8” (part # 923). Rocker Studs are Mr. Gasket 3/8” (part # 1075).

High Performance Chevrolet Parts and TRW #’s 

1. Head gasket (part # 471593).
2. A. Chevrolet Clevite 440 Bearings:

·                    Cam bearing (part # 474005, 474006, 474007)

·                    Rod bearings (part # 474098)

·                    Main bearing (part # 464047, 3912041 & 3912035)

2.   B.TRW Clevite 77 Bearings:

·              Rod bearings (part #CB1227P

·             Main bearings (part # MS3454P)

3. Timing Chain: (part # 3735411), cam sprocket: (part # 3735412), crankshaft sprocket: (part # 3735413). It is also a good idea add a cam button to help reduce cam walk – it goes between the cam and timing chain cover.
4. Oil pump pressure spring: Chevrolet (part # 3848911).

Miscellaneous Items 

1. Bore and hone cylinder walls as desired with specifications.
2. Deck block at .050” and mill heads as desired
3. Port and polish heads to your specifications
4. Blue print and balance all internal components
5. Clay piston clearance to heads .020”
6. Plastic gauge main bearings to .0005” over what Chevrolet states. (main bearings .002” to .004” and rods bearings, .0025” to .003”).
7. Tork rod bolts at 50 ft lbs and mains at 65 ft lbs. Head bolts should be torked at 65 fl lbs.

Valve Train Adjustment Procedure

Set Exhaust valve – “Just as the intake valve closes”

Set Intake valve – “Just as the exhaust valve opens”

First adjust allen head tight, then tighten ploy nut holding allen head tight

Set the piston rings at .017 gap

For any further information contact: Bob Bolam, APBA 225 Technical Chairmen

2007 Revisions and Additions  

The 262 (4.3 litre) V-6 was produced from 1985 – 1994. The bore is 4.00” and the valve sizes are; intake 1.94” and exhaust is 1.50” 

These engines were made in Tonawanda New York and Romulus, Michigan.

As a basic rule, it should be noted that engines parts from the two plants should only be mixed with care. There are a few specification dimensions that differ between crankshafts and rods between the two plants.

Publications that provide excellent information are: Chevrolet Power, seventh addition. It supplements the earlier editions under the same name from year’s prior.

Exceptional internet articles “rebuilding the New Chevy 262 by Doug Anderson”, “Technical Database – Engine” by GM Direct, “Chevy 4.3L, 262 CI V-6 – Engine Build overview, Hot Rod Magazine”, “Edelbrock.Com”

As with the 229, many aluminum blocks, heads and billet crankshafts are available from numerous sources.

Chevrolet cast iron blocks from Tonawanda (part # 10172756), Romulus (part # 10105867)

Chevrolet heads from Tonawanda 14094768 and Romulus (part #’s 14099064 and 10238181)

Chevrolet crankshaft from Romulus (part # 10055480)

Chevrolet Pistons (part # 32A 10128212)

Chevrolet Rods (part # 45, Romulus)

Chevrolet Starter Motor (part # 64165, 168 tooth)

Many other part #’s exist; the internet and Chevrolet power provide a more detailed list.

As with the 229, the after market place has expanded and as with the previous Chevrolet V-6 engines, almost all Chevrolet SBC components are interchangeable.

A number of excellent aftermarket sources are Jeg’s, Summit Racing, and Speedway Motors. A very good V-6 HEI Racing Distributor can be acquired through Performance Distributor’s Inc. The stock HEI is still an excellent distributor, but you will have to modify it for your application.

And don’t forget about E-bay as a good source for those racing parts.

Bolam's Express - Ongoing Progress