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PT88 alum block - part failure?

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Old 08-16-2011, 08:06 AM
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Default PT88 alum block - part failure?

So there I was leaving my house late Sunday afternoon, heading over to meet some friends for a car show and a beer or two. I had my wife and son in the car with me, all was fine and good. I'd driven the car earlier in the day, no issues what so ever. She's been running great since I slapped on new 6.0L head gaskets and cranked the ARP head studs down an extra 5lbft...

The car is up to about 160* and being a TH400 car, I'm in first @ about 1/2 throttle about 3/4 the way through first gear. I decide to smack it and take off. Well, about a second after I hit it there is a loud POOOF sound from the exhaust - sounds like a lean nitrous backfire would sound coming out the throttle body. Engine goes to 0 RPM. I check the rear view almost expecting to see a trail of oil or parts in the road... but I see nothing. I get it pulled over and pop the hood. There's a small puddle of oil (about 3" round) coming from just under the balancer, looks like the back face of the balancer has oil on it. No obvious holes in the block...

Sooooo I walk back to the house with the wife and son, get my truck and pull the car back home. Get it into the garage and try to crank it, and it turns fine, balancer turns as do all the accessories, but sounds weird... not sure how to explain it. Doesn't sound like a bottom end issue though as there are no MAJOR thuds or banging noises coming from the engine...

Anybody have a guess what's happened? I'm going to start tearing into it later tonight.

Last edited by Eagle02; 08-16-2011 at 08:22 AM.
Old 08-16-2011, 08:13 AM
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Long block build:

Stock crank
Stock LS6 block w/PCV upgrade (valley clearanced)
Forged rods/pistons
ARP hardware throughout
double roller timing chain from SPDC
Stock LS6 camshaft
LS7 lifters
Comp Cams 26921-KIT for springs on 317 heads

I was running about 12psi at the time...
Old 08-17-2011, 03:54 PM
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might not be a good idea, but have you tried to start it?
Old 08-17-2011, 04:39 PM
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I have. But only briefly. It spins, but doesn't start. Usually it fires immediately. I have a couple buddies coming over tonight so we can tear into it. Right now, I'm leaning heavily towards failed timing chain.
Old 08-18-2011, 01:16 PM
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id think if the timing chain went there would be a valve or 2 hung open and when you turn it over it shouldve hit the valves
Old 08-18-2011, 01:47 PM
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Yea... it for sure broke the timing chain.

Old 08-18-2011, 01:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Eagle02
Yea... it for sure broke the timing chain.

fk me running....

I havent ever seen a stock ls2 chain break but **** yours should be 10x stronger.
Old 08-18-2011, 02:25 PM
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I've never seen/heard of a chain breaking either. But there's your proof... it happens.
Old 08-18-2011, 02:28 PM
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RutRo, Are you gonna pull the heads and see if any valves are damaged or are you just gonna replace the timing chain and see how it goes?
Old 08-18-2011, 02:32 PM
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Pulling the entire motor out. The entire setup will be checked before she is started again.
Old 08-18-2011, 04:00 PM
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pics of damage... please.
Old 08-18-2011, 04:06 PM
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definitely
Old 08-19-2011, 12:40 AM
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intense. that sucks big ones man i hope ya get it sorted out
Old 08-19-2011, 09:28 AM
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What harmonic balancer is that?




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