Katech block owners, check photos please..
07-24-2007, 03:21 PM
#1
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Katech block owners, check photos please.. I'm double-checking my ebay purchase, just want to make sure things are kosher. I got the block for a great price, just want to know if I need to fix anything. The machine shop I bought this from claimed all work was done by Katech.
The block is stamped GMK938, the bore is 4.125" (4.123 and 4.124 is written on front in magic marker). The lifter valley is screened and there's some mill work around the lifter bores, the first main looks like it was hammered on a little, and there was some grinding on the passenger side at the engine mount.
I also didn't realize there would be space between the sleeves.
How does it look? Usable as-is? I will take it to a machine shop and have it checked out also.
The block is stamped GMK938, the bore is 4.125" (4.123 and 4.124 is written on front in magic marker). The lifter valley is screened and there's some mill work around the lifter bores, the first main looks like it was hammered on a little, and there was some grinding on the passenger side at the engine mount.
I also didn't realize there would be space between the sleeves.
How does it look? Usable as-is? I will take it to a machine shop and have it checked out also.
Last edited by blu00rdstr; 07-25-2007 at 05:22 PM. Reason: Pictures made larger
07-24-2007, 05:46 PM
#6
Originally Posted by 02SOMWS6
whithout getting real technical --the screens are a peformance and safety mod
.....
umm.. ok... and what are they performing.. and what makes them safe? All i can see if that gunk they secured them with comes loose.. now you have some metal screens bouncing around.. You would think they would be bolted in or welded.. that looks like glue.. doesnt look like JB weld.. i would doubt that block was touched by Katech.. i cant see them doing that with the sleeves and using that (what looks like to be) epoxy for those screens..
have you sent a PM to Jason at Katech yet?
07-24-2007, 05:55 PM
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Yes, I am leery. Some things may not affect the operation, maybe the sleeve spaces are normal, but I don't know...
I gave Katech a call last week about pistons, timing set, lifters, etc, but they wanted the number stamp first. I called them today and left a message, I guess sales is busy. I'm wondering also about the 4.123, 4.124 markings if I'm ordering pistons. If Katech did all the work, I'm sure the bores would be exactly 4.125".
I gave Katech a call last week about pistons, timing set, lifters, etc, but they wanted the number stamp first. I called them today and left a message, I guess sales is busy. I'm wondering also about the 4.123, 4.124 markings if I'm ordering pistons. If Katech did all the work, I'm sure the bores would be exactly 4.125".
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07-24-2007, 06:18 PM
#8
Originally Posted by GR33N GoblinM6
..... umm.. ok... and what are they performing.. and what makes them safe? All i can see if that gunk they secured them with comes loose.. now you have some metal screens bouncing around.. You would think they would be bolted in or welded.. that looks like glue.. doesnt look like JB weld..
i would doubt that block was touched by Katech.. i cant see them doing that with the sleeves and using that (what looks like to be) epoxy for those screens..
have you sent a PM to Jason at Katech yet?
umm.. ok... and what are they performing.. and what makes them safe? All i can see if that gunk they secured them with comes loose.. now you have some metal screens bouncing around.. You would think they would be bolted in or welded.. that looks like glue.. doesnt look like JB weld.. i would doubt that block was touched by Katech.. i cant see them doing that with the sleeves and using that (what looks like to be) epoxy for those screens..
have you sent a PM to Jason at Katech yet?
If your upper valvetrain grenades itself, then the screens will catch pieces from taking out the lower motor.
07-24-2007, 06:56 PM
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Originally Posted by GR33N GoblinM6
...have you sent a PM to Jason at Katech yet?
Also any Katech block owners, are the sleeves very close to the water jackets on the bottom, and further from the water jackets on the top?
For what it's worth:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=180137289305
this is an awesome block made into a LS7- starting as a LS2 Aluminum 5.7 1997 GM Block - this has been transformed into a 4.125 Bore by sleeving it- it also sports 6 mains and arp studs for the mains and heads- this has no miles on it - bore of cylinders is 4.125- front cover has 7288 and 97 - there are a bunch of options for building this into a street or strip monster- it has been checked and is in perfect condition with no cracks- I can ship this but prefer pick up at Richards Auto Parts 35562 23 mile Rd New Baltimore Michigan
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On Jul-10-07 at 07:07:16 PDT, seller added the following information:
I was told this is a 1997 LS1 block by the casting #- the bore is 4.125
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On Jul-13-07 at 04:37:18 PDT, seller added the following information:
The oiling problem that GM had with theses early blocks has been corrected so do not hesitate to buy this very nice piece- the area above the camshaft has been opened up and screened - all work was performed in house by Ka Tech
this is an awesome block made into a LS7- starting as a LS2 Aluminum 5.7 1997 GM Block - this has been transformed into a 4.125 Bore by sleeving it- it also sports 6 mains and arp studs for the mains and heads- this has no miles on it - bore of cylinders is 4.125- front cover has 7288 and 97 - there are a bunch of options for building this into a street or strip monster- it has been checked and is in perfect condition with no cracks- I can ship this but prefer pick up at Richards Auto Parts 35562 23 mile Rd New Baltimore Michigan
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On Jul-10-07 at 07:07:16 PDT, seller added the following information:
I was told this is a 1997 LS1 block by the casting #- the bore is 4.125
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On Jul-13-07 at 04:37:18 PDT, seller added the following information:
The oiling problem that GM had with theses early blocks has been corrected so do not hesitate to buy this very nice piece- the area above the camshaft has been opened up and screened - all work was performed in house by Ka Tech
Last edited by blu00rdstr; 07-24-2007 at 07:07 PM.
07-25-2007, 12:38 PM
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Nothing yet. Just the two earlier calls to Katech and the PM to Jason yesterday, I did send an email to the seller (RichardsAuto).
Here's one more pic that shows the space between sleeves and how much material is left between sleeve and water jacket. Around the bottom of the sleeves is a thin skin of aluminum, about 1/16". It's as if I could pick off chips of aluminum with my fingernail. Again, I don't know if it's normal for a Katech or if it matters, maybe the sleeves are designed to stay in place other ways. I've seen MID sleeve pictures, those are tight against each other and there's no aluminum left around the sleeves.
Here's one more pic that shows the space between sleeves and how much material is left between sleeve and water jacket. Around the bottom of the sleeves is a thin skin of aluminum, about 1/16". It's as if I could pick off chips of aluminum with my fingernail. Again, I don't know if it's normal for a Katech or if it matters, maybe the sleeves are designed to stay in place other ways. I've seen MID sleeve pictures, those are tight against each other and there's no aluminum left around the sleeves.
Last edited by blu00rdstr; 07-25-2007 at 12:44 PM.
07-25-2007, 12:45 PM
#12
Man, talk about old school. I didnt think anybody put screens in any more.
Hindsights 20/20, but I woulda checked with katech to see if this was their block before I bought it. The sleeve job looks like ****. Not to mention the front main. Nothin like knockin em out with an eight pound maul!!
Hindsights 20/20, but I woulda checked with katech to see if this was their block before I bought it. The sleeve job looks like ****. Not to mention the front main. Nothin like knockin em out with an eight pound maul!!
07-25-2007, 01:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Phil99vette
How do you get an LS2 block being produced in 1997?
i wouldnt use that block and i doubt its a katech piece. if it is...machinist musta been trashed out of his mind.
07-25-2007, 01:24 PM
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Originally Posted by edcmat-l1
... Not to mention the front main. Nothin like knockin em out with an eight pound maul!!
Here are a few more pics...
"What do you mean, 'side bolts'?"
Kinda close to the water jacket
Katech stamp
Milled lifter bores
07-25-2007, 01:25 PM
#16
Yea, that looks like ****. Did the guy have pics posted of it before you bought it?? If so, man that was a bad investment. Usually on e-bay if you think your gettin too good a deal, it's gonna come back to bite you in the ***.
Look real close at your pic posted" kinda close to water jacket", the ****** water jacket looks cracked.
Look real close at your pic posted" kinda close to water jacket", the ****** water jacket looks cracked.
07-25-2007, 01:36 PM
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Originally Posted by BIG_MIKE2005
Yea, that looks like ****. Did the guy have pics posted of it before you bought it?? If so, man that was a bad investment. Usually on e-bay if you think your gettin too good a deal, it's gonna come back to bite you in the ***.
Look real close at your pic posted" kinda close to water jacket", the ****** water jacket looks cracked.
Look real close at your pic posted" kinda close to water jacket", the ****** water jacket looks cracked.
It was hard to tell from the ebay pics, here they are:
07-25-2007, 01:44 PM
#20
It really looks like some student or apprentice endeavor at overboring and installing liners. Never meant to be run - at least I would hope so. There are so many things SCREAMING - "DON'T USE ME" about this block that I wouldn't even consider the labor and time to assemble it much less the other expensive parts it will eat when it goes BOOM!!!