GeorgeC

One of my Crane solid roller lifters came apart on my last pass of the day, and sent shrapnel throughout the bottom end of the motor. I may be able to re-use the crank, rods and pistons, but I don't know yet. I got the motor out today and pulled the pan, but haven't gone any farther yet.

The motor was coming out anyway to replace my cracked block (big thanks to Wade and the other ARE guys for bringing it to me in KY!!!), but I really wasn't anticipating breaking it at the event. That's racing, though...

As long as the skirts and tops of the pistons aren't damaged, I'll just clean them up, debur them, and put 'em all back in. I'm pretty sure the cam is ruined, though.

I already have some nasty ideas of how to improve things when it goes back together. I'm just crossing my fingers that I don't have to buy any pistons/rods...

I'll probably be down for 2-3 months, as I have some other issues I want to address too, but lookout when I come back out! If some ideas I have pan out, it could be interesting (no, none of the ideas include more cubic inches)...

Hopefully I can find a new job and get the car back together for the Thunder Shootout...

BIGBOS

Man sorry to hear that, good luck on getting it back up and running, I'm finally going to get my car back up and running after months of down time...

gator's 99TA

iTrader: (2)

that is too bad George, but it IS the off season for the hot humid florida boys, so i guess it is good that it happened now. good luck on the build up and we know you will be faster afterwards!

Slowverado

sounds like you need a set of ROSS 4.030" forged pistons/rings setup for a 4.125" stroke long rod setup. that would definatly make for a beast when you get it back together. i happen to know a guy with an extra set lying around.

SLED28

iTrader: (7)

Post deleted by SLED28

LOnSLO

iTrader: (15)

Sucks to hear George. I enjoyed watching you run Saturday. Thanks for the staging tips, they paid off big time. Keep your fingers crossed.

GeorgeC

Thanks guys...

I'm going to finish tearing it down this afternoon and see how everything looks.

Slowverado, I don't think a 4.030" piston would work well with my 4.100" bore!

CHRISPY

Good luck George that sucks about the lifter! Hopefully it isnt too serious!

Cheers,
Chris

Guido

George, that sucks but it sounds like youve already looked at the good side.

Excuse to upgrade something. hehe

Good luck.
What kind of job are you looking for anyway?

Pro Stock John

iTrader: (34)

I have seen a motor eat a lifter and the damage was not extensive at all, in fact pretty minimal.

You think you need to check your lifter preload?

We got to get you hooked up with an intake I bet the car would be competitive with the 422-436ci guys then!

GeorgeC

Well, I won't really be upgrading anything... No money. Hopefully I won't have to replace too many parts...

I'm semi-unemployed right now, as my hours @ work have been cut from 40 down to 15-16. I think I'm going to try a career change, and get out of the damn computer business (I'm a repair technician).

GeorgeC

John, I have a solid cam. The lifter "preload" is around -.015"

I think I could stand to gain a small amount from an intake, but unfortunately that's absolutely out of the question any time soon.

I'm thinking about milling the heads a little for some more compression, but I haven't started measuring stuff yet to see how much work it would be to maintain adequate quench and piston to valve clearance. If I can't salvage my current cam, I'll probably replace it with the exact same one, but may change the LSA from 108 to 110...

Reckless

iTrader: (9)

Hope it isn't too bad George. Mine? Terminal

Pro Stock John

iTrader: (34)

Yeah maybe the 110 lsa would calm the car down a bit and give you longer legs on the big end.

Let me see what I can do for you regarding an intake, I'd like to see you take down the big cube boyz.

Villain281H

iTrader: (5)

Sorry to hear the bad news George (on both fronts!) Hope the rebuild goes smoothly, and maybe you'll be getting the boot for running 9s again very soon!

Derek

GeorgeC

Update...

Looks like I need 8 new pistons (the skirts are really scuffed/scratched up), a new crank (I have some pretty good damage to the counterweights on the back journals), a new set of lifters, and a new flexplate (unrelated to the other damage, but it's broken just the same).

Fortunately I have a new block sitting here for everything to go into. I'm trying to get off my butt and find a new job so I can get this thing fixed up before the TR Shootout, but I may have to attend as a spectator.

Reckless

iTrader: (9)

Damn that sucks! All that from a spent lifter?

Guido

George, that is tough dude. Im sorry to hear the bad news man. Good luck with the job hunt. Its been tough lately for everyone. Ive been searching myself with no success.

Villain281H

iTrader: (5)

Wow G, sorry to hear the motor damage was worse than expected. Maybe Jason can hire you to run the dyno?

Coach 02 A3 Z/28

iTrader: (10)

George,

Keep your head up buddy. Things seem to workout for good people.

Good luck!

Coach