How to destroy a perfectly good motor with a 10 cent washer
09-17-2007, 12:03 AM
#1
TECH Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Washington Township, NJ
Posts: 490
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How to destroy a perfectly good motor with a 10 cent washer I had this on another board, but I need some help getting this sorted out. I want to get this engine back together and built just for stock. I will at least need the block resleeved and one new piston with rings to replace what happened. Here are the details.
---
I was chasing a small vacuum leak and removed the intake from the engine. I have the washers that came with the FAST under the manifold cap screws to help spread the load. When I took the manifold off I didn't notice but one of the washers came off the cap screw and rolled right into the number 7 hole. The valve must have been wide open because the damage is only in the cylinder. the bowls are clean.
---
It was late, I was tired, and I've had this manifold on and off so many times I was sloppy. Below are some pics that will tell the story a little better.
---
I am sussing the situation with Tony Mamo and as soon as we know more I'll post up on the direction I'm going to go with. I don't have much money right now, so I'm thinking Forged 347, or if Tony can do some magic on the heads maybe a forged 402. More will be revealed...
---
The major damage to the head
cylinder - crack on the right, gouge on the left, broken ring land in center
closeup of broken ring land
custom valve reliefs
overall shot of the chamber - note the minor damage on the top quench pad
the sucker that made this all possible - with my help...
---
How's that for shooting yourself in the foot? I'll document this as I go along, the teardown, build-up, etc. Might as well fess up and publicize it..
Too bad, it was a sweet running motor... The next one will be
---
I was chasing a small vacuum leak and removed the intake from the engine. I have the washers that came with the FAST under the manifold cap screws to help spread the load. When I took the manifold off I didn't notice but one of the washers came off the cap screw and rolled right into the number 7 hole. The valve must have been wide open because the damage is only in the cylinder. the bowls are clean.
---
It was late, I was tired, and I've had this manifold on and off so many times I was sloppy. Below are some pics that will tell the story a little better.
---
I am sussing the situation with Tony Mamo and as soon as we know more I'll post up on the direction I'm going to go with. I don't have much money right now, so I'm thinking Forged 347, or if Tony can do some magic on the heads maybe a forged 402. More will be revealed...
---
The major damage to the head
cylinder - crack on the right, gouge on the left, broken ring land in center
closeup of broken ring land
custom valve reliefs
overall shot of the chamber - note the minor damage on the top quench pad
the sucker that made this all possible - with my help...
---
How's that for shooting yourself in the foot? I'll document this as I go along, the teardown, build-up, etc. Might as well fess up and publicize it..
Too bad, it was a sweet running motor... The next one will be
09-17-2007, 12:10 AM
#3
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (18)
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: NW Houston, TX
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The heads don't look too bad. Ive seen chambers with a lot more damage have repairs done. LS1 blocks can be had for a couple hundred bucks now, and pistons and rods are starting to come down in price. Hell if you wanted to stay on the cheap you could just get a set of forged pistons for the stock rods (if theyre not bent) and you would really be able to keep cost down.
09-17-2007, 12:15 AM
#4
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (18)
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay area, ca.
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
that head can be fixed cheap. and if those are shelf pistons, you can get one with rings for cheap too. rods are usually sold as a set so you might pay there. and ls1 blocks are cheap as crap now too. i'd say the most expensive part will be labor to put it back together.
09-17-2007, 12:31 AM
#5
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (18)
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay area, ca.
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Actually dude. If I were you (unless you know how to build a shortblock yourself)
trash everything but the heads and cam. Get a new 347 from like TSP which is like less then 3k and throw your heads (after you get the one repaired) and cam in it.
after you buy a new piston, new rings, rods, block, pay a shop for rebuild labor, etc, you could have bought a new shortblock which will be way more reliable.
trash everything but the heads and cam. Get a new 347 from like TSP which is like less then 3k and throw your heads (after you get the one repaired) and cam in it.
after you buy a new piston, new rings, rods, block, pay a shop for rebuild labor, etc, you could have bought a new shortblock which will be way more reliable.
Last edited by jermzz; 09-17-2007 at 12:36 AM.
Trending Topics
09-17-2007, 04:58 AM
#9
That sucks man. We've all made our mistakes. Some big, some small. I think it comes with the territory or working on our own stuff. If it makes you feel better, I caught my car on fire last year at the track when a fuel line came off during a run and started dumping on a header. Same situation, tired, in a rush, etc. +1 on a reason to go bigger and better.
09-17-2007, 05:29 PM
#13
TECH Regular
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Summerville SC
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by 68chevypu
you are probably gonna want a new washer, that one is FUBAR
j/k That does suck cant imagine that one. 
09-17-2007, 06:07 PM
#15
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The upside is that you can buy a brand new LS6 long block (caddy motor) from a GM distributor for around $3k. It is the exact same motor as the LS6 Zo6 motor. There was a post on another forum about it that I saved to my Firefox favorites. I am not at home right now, but later (if you're interested) I could post the link and part number.
09-17-2007, 07:35 PM
#16
TECH Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Washington Township, NJ
Posts: 490
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the kind words and also the humor. Can't lose that for sure. Since I posted this I posted another thread after I talked to Tony Mamo and here is what I am going to do. https://ls1tech.com/forums/generation-iii-internal-engine/784215-more-10-cent-washermania.html The link contains the motor workup and associated components. The really big thing I want to do now is get the block resleeved and buy a new piston so I can put the motor back to stock. I'm thinking of putting it into my truck. Can anyone help with a recommendation of a shop in NJ near Bergen County (Northeast NJ) that can resleeve that block for me. The only thing wrong with it is the crack in the cylinder wall.
09-18-2007, 11:07 AM
#18
Originally Posted by jmill96Z
I would re-use that washer out of spite. Find some use for it.
