Katech block owners, check photos please..
07-26-2007, 05:30 PM
#41
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Originally Posted by GR33N GoblinM6
umm just out of curiosty.. what pictures were posted on the ebay add? do you still have a link to the add? just curious to see what they posted.
Ebay ad: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=180137289305
07-26-2007, 07:23 PM
#43
The buyer did not request close ups correct? If you look at the background of the sellers photos, looks like a shop. He knew EXACTLY what he was selling. Buyer beware....
Seems someone was looking for a 'deal' thats too good to be true. And they always are.....
Seems someone was looking for a 'deal' thats too good to be true. And they always are.....
07-26-2007, 09:35 PM
#44
You may have a leg to stand on considering they listed it as 'new'. I'd go after Ebay as well since that's false advertising. Plus the seller lists it as 'perfect condition with no cracks.' One of the water jackets is obviously cracked. You may lose shipping cost, but should get back the 1200.
07-27-2007, 01:15 AM
#45
Ah, nothing a little duct tape and epoxy can't fix...
What the hell. I've found 30 year old rusted out 318s and 2-bolt 350s that look better than that. I mean, what happened to this block? It almost looks like the sleeves deformed and rotated in the cylinder, cracking the water jackets and fubaring the block beyond belief.
I'd hate to be a customer of that "performance shop." I can see it now: Hey, what's with the driveline shimmy over 3500 RPMs? "Oh, it's normal for an out-of-square 1997 LS3. Oops I mean LS1. But, I assure you it's perfect with the 4.25" crank and 3.930" bore."
What the hell. I've found 30 year old rusted out 318s and 2-bolt 350s that look better than that. I mean, what happened to this block? It almost looks like the sleeves deformed and rotated in the cylinder, cracking the water jackets and fubaring the block beyond belief.
I'd hate to be a customer of that "performance shop." I can see it now: Hey, what's with the driveline shimmy over 3500 RPMs? "Oh, it's normal for an out-of-square 1997 LS3. Oops I mean LS1. But, I assure you it's perfect with the 4.25" crank and 3.930" bore."
07-27-2007, 08:17 AM
#46
Well ****, I see the problem. The work was "performed in house by Ka Tech", not Katech 
One question for you. In the description he says it is a LS2 block resleeved into a LS7. After he added that it is a 97 block by its casing number, why didn't you cancel your bid?
Keith
One question for you. In the description he says it is a LS2 block resleeved into a LS7. After he added that it is a 97 block by its casing number, why didn't you cancel your bid?
Keith
07-27-2007, 01:31 PM
#47
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Well, I bid on it with one minute to go. The seller corrected his descriptions so I figured he just wasn't an LS1 guy. I didn't leave myself much room for research. I could not see anything wrong in the ebay pictures; pic1 I couldn't see the material or crack around the sleeve, pic2 I could not see the epoxy job around the screen or the katech stamp clearly, pic3 I could not see the hammered main cap, and pic4 did not show the side of the block cut for clearance.
I do appreciate everyone's feedback here, it was extremely helpful! I didn't exactly know what I was looking at, not having had a Katech block in my hands before.
Good news is the seller has agreed to make things right! When I first received the block it looked good from a distance, and I gave him positive feedback. It wasn't until I examined it closer that I started noticing the details and started asking the forum questions. Turns out the seller is not a machine or repair shop, so he didn't know exactly what he was looking at either.
I sent email to Steve D. from Race Engine Development, the inventor of the MID wet sleeves. He responded and said he had also read this thread. To paraphrase, he told me that 4.125" dry sleeves have a slim chance of working in an LS1, which is why they invented MID wet sleeves. If I had an LS2, having 4.125-4.190" dry sleeves installed by R.E.D. would have cost a $175 more than the block I had bought. MID LS1 wet sleeves are 4.125-4.160" or 4.175-4.200" and can handle a stroke to 4.250. However it'll cost about $1,000 more for LS1 wet sleeves than LS2/LS7 dry sleeves. He also recommends the smaller sleeves for FI, and the larger for NA.
I do appreciate everyone's feedback here, it was extremely helpful! I didn't exactly know what I was looking at, not having had a Katech block in my hands before.
Good news is the seller has agreed to make things right! When I first received the block it looked good from a distance, and I gave him positive feedback. It wasn't until I examined it closer that I started noticing the details and started asking the forum questions. Turns out the seller is not a machine or repair shop, so he didn't know exactly what he was looking at either.
I sent email to Steve D. from Race Engine Development, the inventor of the MID wet sleeves. He responded and said he had also read this thread. To paraphrase, he told me that 4.125" dry sleeves have a slim chance of working in an LS1, which is why they invented MID wet sleeves. If I had an LS2, having 4.125-4.190" dry sleeves installed by R.E.D. would have cost a $175 more than the block I had bought. MID LS1 wet sleeves are 4.125-4.160" or 4.175-4.200" and can handle a stroke to 4.250. However it'll cost about $1,000 more for LS1 wet sleeves than LS2/LS7 dry sleeves. He also recommends the smaller sleeves for FI, and the larger for NA.
Last edited by blu00rdstr; 07-27-2007 at 01:39 PM.
07-27-2007, 04:18 PM
#48
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I'm shipping the motor back, thought I had shipping tape somewhere...
Just for fun, a pic of 'my three blocks' in front of my vette that's been covered since July 2005.
Just for fun, a pic of 'my three blocks' in front of my vette that's been covered since July 2005.
08-02-2007, 11:32 AM
#49
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***RESOLVED***
Just wanted to let everyone know that the seller made good on the block. I returned the block, and he returned my papal payment. The seller was not a Katech sleeve expert, and didn't see the things we saw.
Just wanted to let everyone know that the seller made good on the block. I returned the block, and he returned my papal payment. The seller was not a Katech sleeve expert, and didn't see the things we saw.
08-02-2007, 03:05 PM
#51
Originally Posted by blu00rdstr
***RESOLVED***
Just wanted to let everyone know that the seller made good on the block. I returned the block, and he returned my papal payment. The seller was not a Katech sleeve expert, and didn't see the things we saw.
Just wanted to let everyone know that the seller made good on the block. I returned the block, and he returned my papal payment. The seller was not a Katech sleeve expert, and didn't see the things we saw.
from now just stick to 6.0 iron blocks
08-03-2007, 01:55 AM
#52
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Learn from your mistakes.. Buy NEW or dont buy at all...
Orrrr, call LME (Late Model Engines) you wont have a problem.
Orrrr, call LME (Late Model Engines) you wont have a problem.
Originally Posted by blu00rdstr
***RESOLVED***
Just wanted to let everyone know that the seller made good on the block. I returned the block, and he returned my papal payment. The seller was not a Katech sleeve expert, and didn't see the things we saw.
Just wanted to let everyone know that the seller made good on the block. I returned the block, and he returned my papal payment. The seller was not a Katech sleeve expert, and didn't see the things we saw.
08-03-2007, 05:31 PM
#54
Originally Posted by blu00rdstr
***RESOLVED***
Just wanted to let everyone know that the seller made good on the block. I returned the block, and he returned my papal payment. The seller was not a Katech sleeve expert, and didn't see the things we saw.
Just wanted to let everyone know that the seller made good on the block. I returned the block, and he returned my papal payment. The seller was not a Katech sleeve expert, and didn't see the things we saw.
08-03-2007, 06:00 PM
#56
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Thanks for the support guys! I'm only out $110 for shipping it back.
I'm keeping an eye out for a good block in the SF bay area. Shipping costs are a big chunk, I've paid to pack and ship a bad motor three times so far (from TSP, to TSP, to Ebay seller). That's $330 + $200 + $110 = $640 and no motor.
I'm keeping an eye out for a good block in the SF bay area. Shipping costs are a big chunk, I've paid to pack and ship a bad motor three times so far (from TSP, to TSP, to Ebay seller). That's $330 + $200 + $110 = $640 and no motor.
