348 Assembly Questions

[BA-Man61]

I'm finally getting around to assemblying my 348 and I have a few questions.

1. Is the oil slinger a required piece? I have never used one on any small blocks, but I'm not sure of any oiling system differeneces on the W motors.

2. I'm planning on using ARP's thread sealer for the head bolts. Anyone used any other sealers or have any comments?

Thanks

By the way, this things going in my 61 Bel Air, with an M21. I'm using 9.5:1 pistons, 340HP 409 heads with stainless valves, a comp cams cam (224/230 @ .050 duration, and .532/.535 lift), a 409 340 Hp intake, a distributor built by ignition man, 2 1/2 409 exhaust manifolds, and an edelbrock 650 cfm carb. Anyone have any speculations as to how much power this combo might be worth?

Thanks Again!

[fatride]

Use the slinger! It keeps oil from seeping out of thr front seal by throwing it off the crank. My 348 was very much like your build with 3 twos. It made around 330 HP.

[CDNpontiac409guy]

BA, for thread sealer, I always use the Loctite product that GM provides to their technicians in the dealerships. Essentially, it's pipe thread sealant.

[64ss409]

Aubrey
I have been using a GM teflon thread sealer, but I don't think it is a loctite product. Do you have the GM part no? I would like to try whatever you are using if it is available through the parts dept.
Ron