HIPO GM crate engines

[LVCamaro]

Does GM test fire/run the crate engines they offer through GM Performance Div? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

SS

[olredalert]

-------GM used to start all complete engines on propane, I think. Im not sure if its a practice now or not.........Bill S

[LVCamaro]

I remember those days, Bill...I'm hoping someone here is informed about current crate engine policy/procedure. I couldn't find anything on the Internet to confirm/deny the process these days.

SS

[Mr70]

I believe they still do Steve.
Chuck Hanson used to raffle off a complete brand new GM 502 Crate engine at the A.C.E.S Nashville Chevell-Abrations in the past.(He raffles off 1K cash now)
I walked up to look at it,and could see it was clearly fired up at one time.
Chuck had mentioned that it was tested and proved upon delivery.

[Chevy454]

I don't like where this thread is going, Steve! Please tell me this isn't in referencet to a certain yellow 'Vert...

[LVCamaro]

We installed and briefly test fired/ran the new Ram-Jet ZL1 crate engine last Monday in my 69 Chevelle inside the shop...without a load, everything seemed fine. Then, last Friday, we pulled the Chevelle outside the shop under it's own power to set up for a road test mile or two. At high idle RPM while in gear doing a clutch/shift test in the parking lot, we suddenly heard rod noise! We immediately shut it down and yanked the engine to find EVERY rod cap nut was only speed wrench tight [less than 10 TQ] and the mains held less that 45 TQ. The rod/main bearings appear to be the only damage, but with the Memorial Holiday weekend, it'll be Tuesday before new bearings/gaskets arrive for another test run Tuesday evening.

SS

[Chevy454]

That SUCKS! I would make sure GM picks up the tab on that little brain-fart, and the best case scenario would be to just slap in a new short block...but there's probably not another RJZL-1 short block within 500 miles! I wish ya all the luck in the world...

[LVCamaro]

[ QUOTE ]
...but there's probably not another RJZL-1 short block within 500 miles!

[/ QUOTE ]

especially tough to find in this condition...

SS

[Xplantdad]

WoW http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif
That's a cool engine Steve...have you tried looking for another engine yet?

I know that Guaranty Chevrolet in Santa Ana California supplied the engines used in the TV show Overhaulin'. They have a HUGE warehouse for GM performance parts/engines...

Ask for the parts manager Carl Lutes... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Guaranty Chevrolet
711 E. 17th Street
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone (800) 569-4708
Fax (714) 973-8207

[92646]

Steve, you may want to contact a engine builder named Jim Van Gordon out here in southern California. He has had a bunch of experince with going thru these crate motors for people before they get installed. I asked him about a ZL1 motor for my camaro and he told me about some issues that he came accross. His number is 1-909-946-5991. In fact he just got done fitting a 572 in a 69 camaro and it suprised me on the amount of custom fabrication it took to make that motor fit and work in the car.
Mark Sheppard

[LVCamaro]

Thanks Mark...I'll try to reach him on Tuesday. The crate engine was the one part of this car build that I figured would go smoothly http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

SS

[70 copo]

WOW!!! Thanks for the info. I am going to put a BB crate motor in my truck soon, I guess I will have it checked out.

Phil http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Chevy454]

Steve, do you at least have a line on the parts to fix it?

[LVCamaro]

Bearing and gasket kit are supposed to arrive Tuesday, then we'll test run on the dyno Tuesday evening. If everything doesn't behave properly, we'll have to drop a new crate engine in it. One way or the other, it'll be at Colin's HRPT party this Friday evening.

SS

[JChlupsa]

[ QUOTE ]
They are not test fired. They are spin tested only

[/ QUOTE ]

What happened sucks esp since there were only 200 produced!

[markjohnson]

Due to the popularity of crate engines these days, GM now contracts the engine assembly to an outside sub-contractor. I think they're called Performance Engine Assemblers, or something very similar to that name. I've seen photos of the facility and it's not somewhere that I'd spend big money on an engine from. Sorry to hear about your start-up problems. Looks like you spent much time and money dressing up that ZL1.

[LVCamaro]

major surgery today

[LVCamaro]

not a good sign

[Mr70]

Those Blocks are Butter when things go bad.

[Belair62]

I would say count to 10....then go and slap the crap out of the guy who put it together and made it all pretty for not taking a few minutes to check it !! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif

[LVCamaro]

Next time Darren gets the job

[Charley Lillard]

What is that groove cut in the cylinder and block ?

[LVCamaro]

Clearance notch for the rotating rod cap is my understanding. Similar to strokin' a hemi engine block...

[Lynn]

How hard is it to torque rods and mains? All the fasteners for that matter. Hard to believe there could be this kind of oversight on a target motor, let alone a limited edition ZL1 at a cost of over $16k. I don't get this at all.

Lynn

[rpoz11]

On the pan rail; That's for a stroker crank that puts the rod bolt ends out farther...so as to clear with the bigger stroke. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Charley Lillard]

Now I get it...I saw the notch but you had posted "Not a good sign" so it threw me off. Now looking closer I can see where the rod was hitting it...Must of made alot of racket.

[LVCamaro]

seemed to get louder at higher RPMs http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hmmm.gif

[njsteve]

I have heard about the same problems with the Mopar Performance Hemi crate engines. I wonder if the same company is building those? Many buyers have installed them and then had them spin bearings, throw rods, etc., on start up. The unofficial advice out in the field is to disassemble them upon delivery, check everything twice and then reassemble and install.

[LVCamaro]

crank lobe meets pan windage http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif

[Kim_Howie]

How big is the crank?? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[DarrenX33]

Oh man not cool Steve. I'm anxious to see this car done. Hopefully all the other bolts throughout the motor are torqued. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

Recall their ISO certification. If they have any!? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Root Cause?
Did the bolts come loose and it walked out, wrong crank, or they never clearanced the block?

[LVCamaro]

The crank strike resulted from replacing the factory oil pan with chromed repro pan that was just enough different to take a windage hit. Once again, the bling comes with unexpected expense. Fortunately, that squawk was discovered during engine cranking test prior to start-up.

[427TJ]

Back in '88 my buddy bought a new crate LS-7 for his '67 Camaro. Once it was home we took the pan off for inspection before putting the engine in the car. Inside the engine was a mess! Dust and grit everywhere. We disassembled the motor and cleaned everything thoroughly. I think the shipping crate came with a tag in Spanish because it had been assembled in Mexico. We just shook our heads. That LS-7 is still in the car and runs great but he's glad he decided to pull the pan and take a look before putting it in the car. That would have been a $3,000 "uh-oh."

[LVCamaro]

Lesson learned here!!


The engine will be done late tonight. It will be running by noon tomorrow. The crank had one counter weight that was 36 grams heavy and the lightest was 7 grams heavy. The whole assembly is balanced to "within" .8 grams. I will be looking for a nickel to balance when it is running!! See progress picture attached...

[LVCamaro]

24 hours to deadline and counting...

[camarojoe]

Git 'er done... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Stuart Adams]

Steve, with all the crazy last minute thrashing going on - don't forget the oil!!!!! Cool car. Have fun on PT - you'll make it.

[Mr70]

Now who's gonna tell Steve the Power Tour was last week. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[kwhizz]

Steve.........You are going to Heaven for Sure!!!!!!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif
Looking forward to seeing your car and meeting you at Colin's Friday........We're doing the Long Haul also....
Ken

[LVCamaro]

The Aloha Automotive "engine guys" stayed til 11:00 PM and got the engine back together and installed, wired and plumbed in the Chevelle last night. The tranny and exhaust crew will do their thing, then test fire late morning for a midday test drive TODAY. Now that's 11th hour thrashin'... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

SS

[DarrenX33]

Cool! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif

[Xplantdad]

Judging by the time that you posted Steve, It doesn't look like you got any sleep, either! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[Chevy454]

I think I saw the 'Velle move under it's own power... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif

click here for live action! (http://aloha.dnsalias.org:81/wg_sp-page.ml)

[LVCamaro]

Soon it'll be outside the shop breaking-in the new rear tires.

SS

[Chevy454]

Just pulled outside... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[budnate]

[ QUOTE ]
Just pulled outside... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Dang Rob!!..another way to play vids..how many can a guy load on his machine!!!

[Born30YrsLate]

Stevie Stevie he's our man - if he can't do it no one can... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[LVCamaro]

Thanks Freddie, you wise guy http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

It's gonna be close getting the car to Colin's by 5-6:00PM tomorrow. We just discovered the A-1000 fuel pump must have a bad check valve since we're getting sporadic fuel pressure variance. We need constant 60# fuel pressure, but sometimes without rhyme/reason our fuel pressure drops to 35#, then slowly recovers to 60# in about a 10-count.

I hate the final 5 days to HRPT http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif Driving me crazy!

SS

[XcYZ]

Where's the fingers crossed emoticon? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[JChlupsa]

Dont need to cross your fingers Scott, Just make sure your wearing Depends when you guys jump on it during the tour:)

[Chevy454]

Oh, so he's one of the lucky guys who gets to shoe someone else's car for a week?! Where do I sign up for THAT job! LOL!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[LVCamaro]

I think we got it now, Scott. The Velle should make it to Colin's place around 7:00 this evening. Talk about down to the LAST HOUR...I need a valium. Get the $100 from Charley that he bet against us making the deadline and buy yourself a beer. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

SS

[LVCamaro]

ready for HRPT 2005...

[JChlupsa]

Very nice Steve, Big difference from the last time I saw it a couple years ago at the Super Chevy Show in Vegas.

[Xplantdad]

[ QUOTE ]
ready for HRPT 2005...

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif!

That's one cool http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif ride!

Have fun! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Chevy454]

Sweet... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

[XcYZ]

Awesome, Steve! I'll ask Charley tomorrow if he remembers the bet. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Got stance?!?!

http://www.lateral-g.net/temp/sand2003.jpg

[LVCamaro]

Enjoy the Tour and the ride, Scott...remember Valet-Parking-Moe's motto: Drive it like parts are free! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif

SS

[Belair62]

Steve...trust me he does !!! I'll post a nice few pics later... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[LVCamaro]

say it ain't so http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif

[Belair62]

Just kidding...he was real easy on it ALL NIGHT...you have to use your imagination as to the music this thing was making while doing this !!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/wheels/JoannaPinning061.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/wheels/JoannaPinning062.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/wheels/JoannaPinning063.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/wheels/JoannaPinning060.jpg

[Belair62]

Engine was filthy...almost cut myself trying to shave with it !

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/wheels/JoannaPinning053.jpg

[LVCamaro]

LOL...I bet those two Corvette guys were cringing and wishing they'd parked somewhere else. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

SS

[Belair62]

Nah he had 'er straight nuff !!! You should have seen it later that night !!! Then Colin had to bring out some lift-off-hood car and went berserk...today I rode to PT in Mike G's crazy horsepower '02 NICKEY/Bill Thomas Camaro...and on the way back I hitched a ride in Colins little Cobra....ummm...Colin enjoys driving quickly !

[Mr70]

Isn't that the same Car he went to go pick up the Hookers in? http://www.iii.co.uk/common/icons/discussions/emoticons/broke.gif

[Chevy454]

Hey Steve, do I need to bring an 1157 bulb with me to Nashville for that park light? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Belair62]

Yes it is...

[LVCamaro]

or remove the driver side bulb http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Belair62]

It was working until the tire shake. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif

[Chevy454]

Sweet...I'm looking forward to seeing Steve's new ride, as well as Charley's newest toy, and of course the Mule...see you long-haulers in Nashville! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[kwhizz]

Just for what it's worth..........If you have never been to Colin's place.......It's Muscle car heaven......What a First Class operation.........Only the "BEST" can make it onto Colin's floor.......No Junk....
Colin.....thanks for the food and drink.......................also the $2.00

Ken http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[resto4u]

Steve, You could not send that car on the tour without a durability test. It passed with billowing white smoke. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif And that was being lightly flogged and feathered. Very cool car! And colin has a very nice place, but some of his near neighbors are scary. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif Roger

[Belair62]

The Mal-itude ?? Looks like the owner lost the velcro shoes
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/wheels/JoannaPinning005.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/wheels/JoannaPinning006.jpg

[Belair62]

Khwizz....great to meet you..and your Nova !

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/wheels/JoannaPinning011.jpg

[Charley Lillard]

That is Kwhizz ? He didn't tell me that. Here is what he had at Indy today. http://www.yenko.net/attachments/142750-powertour2005044.jpg

[Belair62]

He was telling me about that car !!

[Xplantdad]

[ QUOTE ]
The Mal-itude ?? Looks like the owner lost the velcro shoes
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/wheels/JoannaPinning005.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/wheels/JoannaPinning006.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]


Why is every picture of Charley taken from 50 feet away?

Is someone afraid that the "image" might break the camera? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Get some close up shots for crying out loud...I won't photoshop them...I promise! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[Xplantdad]

[ QUOTE ]
He was telling me about that car !!

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey Ken...post some shots of the "other" car, too! Ken's got a trio of way cool http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gifcars!

[Mr70]

I like the whizz,he's a nice guy. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/Rick_Peters/20040417050444_s.jpg

[Charley Lillard]

He is no slouch on the throttle.. http://www.yenko.net/attachments/142824-powertour2005059.jpg

[Chevy454]

Sonofa...why didn't you guys hit me upside the head and tell me the PT was gonna be in Nashville on TUESDAY, not Wednesday?! Me and a buddy were heading out TOMORROW morning to Nasvhille to holler at y'all!! As usual, a day late and a dollar short... http://www.yenko.net/attachments/142829-doh.gif

[kwhizz]

Made it home today.........No Problems at all......When I get a chance I will post some "Trav'lin" pics of the "MULE TRAIN"........Nice meeting Charlie and Shirley.....Great People........ http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif Ken

[Charley Lillard]

Notice the wing window open and the windows down on Kens Chevelle. Ken has a pretty patient wife...

[csx289]

Wisconsin guys and their wives are a little tougher than the ones from California. Heck, we even have shoe laces, you know, the non-velcro kind.

Ask Gags if he thinks he could have taken the navigator's seat in the Cobra for the Copperstate based on his 6 mile ride...poor Jennifer!

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/CharleySucks.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/BelairSucks.gif

[Belair62]

I'm ready..it was a pretty cool ride...

[XcYZ]

It was an honor to drive Steve's Chevelle! I can't thank him enough for the opportunity. I kept track of the gas and mile for the whole trip, and overall, from Milwaukee to Kissimmee, we averaged 15.7mpg.

I put a webpage together with some of the pics I took on the Tour. I'll be updating the Chevelle page tomorrow night. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

2005 HRPT Pictures (http://www.lateral-g.net/events/2005hrpt/)

[kwhizz]

My co-pilot (Wife) kept track of the mileage on our trip also.......Now I know why the overdrive transmission was invented........Kinda hard to remember how bad these things were on gas......we averaged 11.5.......
Nice meeting you Scott.............Also .......Thank God for the XM Roady radio.........
Ken http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hmmm.gif