HIPO GM crate engines
 

Does GM test fire/run the crate engines they offer through GM Performance Div? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

SS

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

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

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

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

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

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.

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

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

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

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

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

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...

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

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

[/ QUOTE ]

especially tough to find in this condition...

SS

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

WoW https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...emlins/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... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

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

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

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

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

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 https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/rolleyes.gif

SS

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

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 https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

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

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

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

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

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

[/ QUOTE ]

What happened sucks esp since there were only 200 produced!

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

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.

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

major surgery today

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

not a good sign

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

Those Blocks are Butter when things go bad.

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

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 !! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/scholar.gif

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

Next time Darren gets the job

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

What is that groove cut in the cylinder and block ?

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

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

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

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

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

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. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

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.

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

seemed to get louder at higher RPMs https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/hmmm.gif

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

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.

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

crank lobe meets pan windage https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...thumbsdown.gif

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

How big is the crank?? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

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

Recall their ISO certification. If they have any!? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...thumbsdown.gif

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

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

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

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.

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

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."

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

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...

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

24 hours to deadline and counting...

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

Git 'er done... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/wink.gif

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

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.

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

Now who's gonna tell Steve the Power Tour was last week. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/wink.gif

Re: HIPO GM crate engines
 

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