Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

PT88 alum block - part failure?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 16, 2011 | 08:06 AM
  #1  
Eagle02's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
From: NW Burbs of Chicago
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; Aug 16, 2011 at 08:22 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2011 | 08:13 AM
  #2  
Eagle02's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
From: NW Burbs of Chicago
Default

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...
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2011 | 03:54 PM
  #3  
gimmeluvin's Avatar
Launching!
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis
Default

might not be a good idea, but have you tried to start it?
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2011 | 04:39 PM
  #4  
Eagle02's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
From: NW Burbs of Chicago
Default

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.
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2011 | 01:16 PM
  #5  
Canbarelygo's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 277
Likes: 1
From: Shawnee, OK
Default

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
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2011 | 01:47 PM
  #6  
Eagle02's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
From: NW Burbs of Chicago
Default

Yea... it for sure broke the timing chain.

Reply
Old Aug 18, 2011 | 01:52 PM
  #7  
BLINGOLE's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
From: lakeland floirda
Default

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.
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2011 | 02:25 PM
  #8  
Eagle02's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
From: NW Burbs of Chicago
Default

I've never seen/heard of a chain breaking either. But there's your proof... it happens.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 18, 2011 | 02:28 PM
  #9  
usmcz28's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, Ny
Default

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?
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2011 | 02:32 PM
  #10  
Eagle02's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
From: NW Burbs of Chicago
Default

Pulling the entire motor out. The entire setup will be checked before she is started again.
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2011 | 04:00 PM
  #11  
joecar's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 17
From: So.Cal.
Default

pics of damage... please.
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2011 | 04:06 PM
  #12  
Eagle02's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
From: NW Burbs of Chicago
Default

definitely
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2011 | 12:40 AM
  #13  
Canbarelygo's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 277
Likes: 1
From: Shawnee, OK
Default

intense. that sucks big ones man i hope ya get it sorted out
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2011 | 09:28 AM
  #14  
02blackbeauty19's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 910
Likes: 0
From: Shreveport, Louisiana
Default

What harmonic balancer is that?
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:47 PM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE