Spun all 8 rod bearings
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Joined: Jul 2019
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From: Tasmania Australia
I have a newly rebuilt LS1 engine I'm assembling, my rod clearance read .0025 with plastiguage, I purchased some Penrite 15w-40 run in oil and then realised it's way too thick for my GM tolerances and they recommend 5w-30 or 5w-40. I wont risk it. I can't get run in oil in the correct weight so I'm not using run in oil at all. I blocked off my oil bypass so I'll probably toss my collection of oil filters that don't have a bypass also.
Last edited by TimsLS1; Feb 29, 2020 at 04:32 PM.
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Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Iowa
I think it just ended up being the o-ring
I've put a little over 3k miles on it...couple drag race events, beat the hell out of it regularly. Oil pressure still 40+ hot idle.
After finding the o-ring issue, I quit being paranoid about 1000 oil changes. I changed it once after about 100 miles...then once at 500 miles after that just for a look-see. All is well.
I've put a little over 3k miles on it...couple drag race events, beat the hell out of it regularly. Oil pressure still 40+ hot idle.
After finding the o-ring issue, I quit being paranoid about 1000 oil changes. I changed it once after about 100 miles...then once at 500 miles after that just for a look-see. All is well.
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Joined: Jun 2016
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From: Central Cal.
I think it just ended up being the o-ring
I've put a little over 3k miles on it...couple drag race events, beat the hell out of it regularly. Oil pressure still 40+ hot idle.
After finding the o-ring issue, I quit being paranoid about 1000 oil changes. I changed it once after about 100 miles...then once at 500 miles after that just for a look-see. All is well.
I've put a little over 3k miles on it...couple drag race events, beat the hell out of it regularly. Oil pressure still 40+ hot idle.
After finding the o-ring issue, I quit being paranoid about 1000 oil changes. I changed it once after about 100 miles...then once at 500 miles after that just for a look-see. All is well.
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Joined: Mar 2021
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Exact same problem with my 01 Z. I just now became a member of this site so I realize this thread is a bit dated. However, I have an 01 Z that has been in auto cocoon for a better part of three years because of same condition. Have had no money or time to pull engine to date. Only difference between mine and yours is that imy bottom end was a 36K engine. Perfect in all respects. Before I installed PRC 227 heads, big cam, Fast 102 intake, NW 104 mm TB, bigger injectors, all bolt-ons done previous. I had installed a melling 10296 and new o-ring. The whole process went nice and smooth. Only issue was I kept blowing the oil dipstick out about 3 inches. Possibly higher cylinder pressures due to increased compression(stock 10:1 to about 11.6:1. Replaced PCV and amazingly remedied that issue. Strong oil pressure at first 65-70psi. Drove for about 100 miles before things began to seem wrong. Was taking it to my friend for a dyno tune but car seemed underpowered than before. Ran three runs on dyno but we both felt like something was amiss. We only got 417 whp expecting somewhere in neighborhood of 440-450 before tune. It just felt sick. Noticed pressure had dropped to less than 25. Ran ok on drive home but it had gotten worse. 19psi and beginning to rattle. Seems like so far, the number one cylinder is the worst. Possibly 3 and 5. Not sure the extent of damage since I haven't pulled apart but metal shavings in oil filter. Replaced 10296 with proven 10295 but damage done. Been kicking around just doing a forged set up but also looking to maybe sell. Everything else seems nice. No other issues just spun bearings. Car still fires up on old gas. Did you ever get a resolution to your problem? I haven't read whole thread. k
As the title states, I spun all 8 rod bearings. This was a fresh rebuild with less than 500 miles in my 2002 camaro. 799 heads, 232 cam, etc spin to 6800 ish maybe a tad higher. Rods mic'd and plastigauged at around .0015-.002 for clearance.
Using a melling 10296 High volume/High pressure pump. I'm getting feedback that this pump could be a culprit for my issues. Sucking the sump dry and drawing air...or clearances too tight for this pump...both of which mayhave caused my issues. I had good oil pressure for the first 100 miles then it started to dwindle and by the time I had enough and just pulled the motor, it was around 10 psi at idle and hardly any rise with rpm. (this was after switching to 20w50 to try and save the oil pressure)
Stock rods, stock rod bolts, clevite bearings.
Anything else I should look for while it's apart? I'll be getting the crank machined/polished and put back together with new bearings everywhere and a stock oil pump.
I should also mention that the pickup tube o ring used was correct (melling Black with the stock f body pickup tube) and looked fine when I tore it down...didn't seem pinched or rolled awkwardly.
Any ideas of other stuff to check? Places to look while it's apart before I put it back together and try again?
Using a melling 10296 High volume/High pressure pump. I'm getting feedback that this pump could be a culprit for my issues. Sucking the sump dry and drawing air...or clearances too tight for this pump...both of which mayhave caused my issues. I had good oil pressure for the first 100 miles then it started to dwindle and by the time I had enough and just pulled the motor, it was around 10 psi at idle and hardly any rise with rpm. (this was after switching to 20w50 to try and save the oil pressure)
Stock rods, stock rod bolts, clevite bearings.
Anything else I should look for while it's apart? I'll be getting the crank machined/polished and put back together with new bearings everywhere and a stock oil pump.
I should also mention that the pickup tube o ring used was correct (melling Black with the stock f body pickup tube) and looked fine when I tore it down...didn't seem pinched or rolled awkwardly.
Any ideas of other stuff to check? Places to look while it's apart before I put it back together and try again?