1989GTA

I have been using www.partszoneonline.com. I think they are a Buick/GMC dealer in Pittsburg. Very good prices for GM parts.

squee

iTrader: (16)

Yup...I only needed one bare casting and was gonna get a set of the LS3 valves, but at that price I figured why not just buy a complete set of assembled LS3 heads. Actually came out to about the same as one head and the valves, so what the hell right?

frojoe

iTrader: (10)

Connecting rods 3, 4 & 5 all had extreme play on the crank, I'd say upwards of 1/16" of rattling around. Upon removing the rods, every single bearing surface on the crank was fucked.

Here is the 1st (and worst) one I pulled, #4...

MillsMotorvation

Very good info, thanks for the parts list, and number!! Got any rods, and piston combos that will work with the stock crank?

Marktainium

Those are F'd all right!!!

tsnow678

iTrader: (3)

It is a good thing you decided to go ahead rebuild when you did. Sorry for your troubles!

Turtle Bite

iTrader: (3)

Did you see anything during the teardown that may have caused the low oil pressure? oil pickup o-ring look good? Anything inside the oil pump?

I am assembling my oil pump, pickup, and timing set in my LQ4 tonight and those pictures scare me a little. Nice spread of parts you have there.

-TheBandit-

iTrader: (1)

Ah beautiful carnage. Thanks for posting. Looks like you made the right decision to pull it.

Prorac1

iTrader: (4)

Yeah, any idea what caused this ammount of carnage? Good luck with the new build. Eric L

frojoe

iTrader: (10)

No idea what caused the carnage.. it's had low oil pressure problems since the first time I ever started it so leading me to believe it was a shady seller I bought it from.. Oh well, water under the bridge.. let's build this bitch to handle some POWER!!

Chicago TDP

iTrader: (3)

that kinda damage looks like a start-up with NO OIL at some point.
Hard to scorch bearings that bad unless something was missing....like oil.

frojoe

iTrader: (10)

That's what I'm thinking about the oil.

On a side note, pistons just arrived. Need to borrow an electric impact gun to remove the crank pulley but other than that the block is ready for the machine shop. I was quoted a 4-day turnaround for basic machining and balancing if all goes well. Will pick the pistons up tomorrow after work. Really hoping to get this on the road for a huge local cruise on Sept.7.

-TheBandit-

iTrader: (1)

Sounds like a big rush to meet Sept 7. I wouldn't push it too hard. Mistakes happen when you're in a hurry.

Marktainium

You can do it! If you want any help let me know. Even if you just want to feed me beer while you assemble your motor. I can say things like "are you sure you want to do it like that?"

Jimbo1367

LMAOoooooo You NEVER stop. Lol. huh?

frojoe

iTrader: (10)

Believe it or not Mark, I'm so used to hearing that from you that it's starting to provide positive moral support. But yes, I wouldn't mind having a beer wench nearby.

gjestico

iTrader: (5)

Hey I am in on that ! Mark can park his Camaro one one side , I can park my Chevelle on the other, and we can both spout insults/encouragement at/to you from the sidelines. You got spare lawnchairs or should we bring our own ?

frojoe

iTrader: (10)

I feel so loved.

hookemdevils22

iTrader: (12)

Wow. I guess this is a good reminder to pull the oil pan and poke around a tad at the beginning of a build.

So what of the main bearings? I'd be interested in seeing those. One would expect the bearing surface to be shiny in the complete absence of oil, so that seems to be indicative of oil contamination, perhaps in addition to a short-time lack of oil. Either way, it is imperative that you pay close attention to the oil passages, being sure to hit them with a pipe cleaner and compressed air, and don't forget a new barbell restrictor.

Edit: The barbell prevents oil from bypassing the filter, so I'd expect to see what you're showing with one in poor condition.

tsnow678

iTrader: (3)

Don't forget to replace the knock out plug on the front side as well.