Pre-lube
Originally Posted by racer7088
Critter,
Pistons are made for the bore on the box. The clearance is built into them from the factory. If they say it's for a 3.905 bore thats what they mean. This shop that did your engine must be in the 50s still I guess? Also you CAN and SHOULD double check it as well off of where they measure the suggested skirt clearance but it should already be designed into the piston. We have used many Mahle pistons with GREAT results especially on NA apps. That sucks but do you know what the bore size the pistons were made for vs. what they were really honed to? There's where your problem lies or most of it probably.
Pistons are made for the bore on the box. The clearance is built into them from the factory. If they say it's for a 3.905 bore thats what they mean. This shop that did your engine must be in the 50s still I guess? Also you CAN and SHOULD double check it as well off of where they measure the suggested skirt clearance but it should already be designed into the piston. We have used many Mahle pistons with GREAT results especially on NA apps. That sucks but do you know what the bore size the pistons were made for vs. what they were really honed to? There's where your problem lies or most of it probably.
The shop does circle track SBCs and had never done an LS1 or used Mahle pistons. I did check clearance and thought it a bit tight, but my technology is 30 years old and I knew piston design has improved and they don't require the kind of clearance we used to run, so I assumed the shop knew what it was doing. I wouldn't have questioned your clearance if you had done it either. 'course, it would have been right if you did it ....
Originally Posted by racer7088
Carl,
That sucks and I do feel very bad for you. I just read your post on this other engine problem and posted something. Hope you find out what went wrong.
That sucks and I do feel very bad for you. I just read your post on this other engine problem and posted something. Hope you find out what went wrong.
I use the Super Slick Assembly Lube from Permetex..it sticks to what ever you put in on real well and will not run off like motor oil does...I put it on the camshaft, chain, rocker arms, push rods, ect....then like someone said before have the coils unpluged and turn the engine over with the starter until I see some oil pressure ..then plug everything together and fire it up..I always have oil pressure immediately when it starts..it works for me.. 
When I assembled my motor, I put ARP assembly lube on just about everything that moves. Just do an oil change after the initial start up to get rid of the extra lube that comes off.
Keith
Keith
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Verdad Gallardo Using petroleum jelly to prime oil pumps has been done for many years on many types of engines. The jelly dissolves quite well in the oil after it starts running. It should work fine. On SBCs I never bothered since I could always spin the pump up with a drill.
Originally Posted by BJM
If you do figure it out conclusively, I hope you will post back here and let us know.
Originally Posted by BJM
What pistons did you wind up with and what clearance are you now running?
