66 Chevelle PT build (ours)

[tommycomfort]

Hey Tommie - Are you running a roadrace oil pan and Accusump? Sorry if I missed it, but with the way you drive your car I think it'd be some cheap insurance....

Just the accusump and the Mast pan (which isn't what I would consider truly baffled. I've watched the oil pressure like a hawk even while going through long sweeping corners and it has stayed absolutely consistent.

Tommy, I believe the Doctor has found the problem and now let the healing process begin!!
On a serious note I hope its not too bad.

It was good to teach Sam to use the stethoscope for engine stuff, but we really couldn't hear anything....

All those big money parts, and you dont have any fender covers?

Yeah Yeah, just like you to sharp shoot me... Right before we started taking parts off we threw a couple of hospital blankets on the fenders and a fender cover over the core support. Dang, everyone is a critic.

The only issue I've seen with the LS engines is occasional lifter pecking, I'm running Mobil 1 / 5-30 also, which I think I also will be upgrading to a heavier weight probably 10-40 because the oil pressure is so high on this engine. I'm so engine paranoid now, I don't know if I will ever really push this car to its limits. In the heat we are running I don't think 15-50 would be a problem, but in the winter I go back to the 5-30. The only reason I'm running the 5-30 is that Mark Steilow said, in GM's test they found it worked best, and that is what he was running.

Ron,
We've been basically running off the same info as you, but after making a bunch of calls (and nobody saying the same thing) everyone agrees that a thicker oil is the right answer. We also need to get our oil cooler installed ASAP.

[tommycomfort]

We pulled the pan off the motor and even though I missed it, Sam could feel a little slop in the #1 rod bearing. (He's turning out to be quite an asset) So, we pulled the cap and sure enough bad things were happening. It didn't quite spin, but it sure had clearanced itself. We stopped there and ran up to see our machinist to talk about options. He gave us a few so we shot home and disassembled it the rest of the way. To cut to the chase, we turned the crank .010/.010, upgraded to coated bearings, ARP rod bolts, and a GMPP high volume oil pump. Thanks to Danny Popp for the guidance in making it a high pressure pump also. True to his word, the machinist had all my parts and the crank ready in under 36 hours.
So, here's where we stand now on Sunday morning. The engine is pretty much back together and ready to drop back in. Sure we'll still have to bolt all the accessories on and mate the trans back up to it, but hopefully that will all be done this afternoon after we get some churchin'. Believe me, we need all the higher help we can get...
More to follow soon.

the rod bearings:


upgraded fasteners:

[sr73bu]

Man, you guys are fast! good luck getting it back in!


-Sean

[analyte]

Glad it wasn't any worse that that. Sam is becoming quite the mechanic!!

[tommycomfort]

Man, you guys are fast! good luck getting it back in!
-Sean

Nothing we do feels fast at all, but thanks!

Glad it wasn't any worse that that. Sam is becoming quite the mechanic!!

See what a week at DSE did for that kid...

[Yelcamino]

Hey Tom, good to hear it wasn't anything major and that you were able to find/fix the problem before it got really bad!

[Ron S]

Just glad to see you got it before it did something ugly. I was telling Bill the other day, I have been building cars since I was 15, but I think I have learned more in past 3 years then I did in the 30 years prior. It seems our group of cars are now running in some uncharted territory, pushing our cars and parts to there to there absolute limits. Roadracing pushes parts to there absolute edge, brakes,rears ,transmissions, and especially engines. Oilling systems,coolers, pan design, things I've never given a second thought until recently, the bad part about working in this area is, one mistake and its catastophic failure.

I think the strength of the LS engines is also its weakness. The head design produces so much power with a minor cam swap, you better make sure the bottom end is ready for how much HP is coming its way. Good fasteners, oil cooler and some kind of trap doors in the oil pan are an absolute must for 30 minute sessions on a road course, 3 years (2 engines ago) I would have said you don't need that stuff, it will be fine.

Really glad you got it out, fixed, and back together so fast, and can continue to enjoy the rest of the season. Hope to see you and the family at RTTH. Ron

[tommycomfort]

The motor went back in last week and we ran it for a few minutes before hooking everything back up. Much to our disgust it had what sounds like a valvetrain noise. Someone suggested checking out the pushrods because they are prone to bending and in fact four were very slightly bent so we ordered a full set. It was down to the wire on Thursday getting ready to leave for Columbus Goodguys of course. Finally got it back together and started it up. 63 PSI oil pressure cold, and no noise. Ran it for a little while and the noise came back. Took a spin around the block and the oil pressure was down to 21. Not cool considering we just installed the new GMPP oil pump. Now I'm thinking I may have some cam bearing problems that need to be addressed.
So bottom line, it sat in the shop all weekend while Deb drove the wagon on the GG auto-x. I guess Sam told Kyle (DSE) that I was crying myself to sleep Friday night so they pulled out the DSE 65 Chevelle for me to drive on Saturday. Very nice and more to follow on that next.

[BayouSS]

Tommy,

Sorry to hear about the problems, I for one certainly know you were not expecting this.

I'm sure everything will turn out ok in the end as you'll are quite a team.

PS - I still have that ZZ502 crate engine in the garage plus the ZZ572 that has not run yet for sale, in case you're getting the BBC urge again. LOL

[tommycomfort]

Now that 502 is tempting, but I'll go ahead and stick with the LS for now. ;-) It will work out in the end, it's just always a bummer to throw more money at something that should have lasted...

[tommycomfort]

I know I should be concentrating on getting the engine out and sorting out all the week links, but when we returned from Columbus the other night the power was out at the shop/garage and we couldn't work inside. So, that gave me a chance to take some pictures of our new parts. Although we've been happy with our hodgepodge of various suspension parts I've always said I thought that running a complete setup that is engineered to work together would be the way to go. So, we are now putting our money where our mouth is and pulled the trigger on the DSE parts. We're currently running their baseline coilovers and rear anti-swaybar so of course those aren't pictured. We had already made the decision to buy this "kit" before Kyle let me drive the 65 test car at Columbus Goodguys. If I can sort it out just half as well as that things runs (and continue to sort out my driving) we will be thrilled. Now I just have to be patient while we work on the engine before jumping into the suspension. Just couldn't wait to share the info with our PT friends!

[analyte]

Sweet!!!
Looks like Sam's car is getting upgraded as well. Those will be some great "hand-me-down's"!!

On a serious note, I'm curious how you'll like the splined front sway bar though it won't be a one-to-one comparison since you're swapping everything.

[tommycomfort]

Sweet!!!
Looks like Sam's car is getting upgraded as well. Those will be some great "hand-me-down's"!!

On a serious note, I'm curious how you'll like the splined front sway bar though it won't be a one-to-one comparison since you're swapping everything.

Good point, it seems like everytime we upgrade something it's never a one on one comparison since we change multiple things at once. I do understand the advertised benefits of the splined bar though and look forward to putting it through its paces.
As for the hand-me-down parts, I think Sam is holding out for the same setup so all our old stuff will be for sale soon to help pay for the new parts...
Tom

[COPO-RAT]

As for the hand-me-down parts, I think Sam is holding out for the same setup so all our old stuff will be for sale soon to help pay for the new parts...
Tom

My '67 isn't too proud to use 'hand-me-downs'!

[wiedemab]

Very cool on going with the complete DSE setup. One thing that always crosses my mind is being able to tap the vast knowledge that they have from their data gathering with their systems.

I don't know how many others do this, but I saw them (Kyle, Stacy, Ryan) taking notes after every AutoX run at Columbus as to what they changed and how the car reacted. Tom - - you did this for their Chevelle when you ran it, right? ;)

[66SuperSport]

Tom

I'm really liking the LSX emblem on the back of the car. VERY COOL !!!

Hope all goes well with the engine project and we can see you guys up at GG Chicago next month.

[67MAL]

Tom,
Sorry to hear about more engine problems, not much fun in that.

Great decision on the complete suspension set-up, I day dreamed a lot at CB in the DSE tent.

I like the LSX also.

[tommycomfort]

My '67 isn't too proud to use 'hand-me-downs'!

I hear you! I still can't believe we're upgrading great parts to greater parts!

[tommycomfort]

Very cool on going with the complete DSE setup. One thing that always crosses my mind is being able to tap the vast knowledge that they have from their data gathering with their systems.

I don't know how many others do this, but I saw them (Kyle, Stacy, Ryan) taking notes after every AutoX run at Columbus as to what they changed and how the car reacted. Tom - - you did this for their Chevelle when you ran it, right? ;)

Oh yeah, of course I did it. I logged all that information in my rusty steel trap brain...

[tommycomfort]

Tom

I'm really liking the LSX emblem on the back of the car. VERY COOL !!!

Hope all goes well with the engine project and we can see you guys up at GG Chicago next month.

Tom,
Sorry to hear about more engine problems, not much fun in that.

Great decision on the complete suspension set-up, I day dreamed a lot at CB in the DSE tent.

I like the LSX also.

Thanks guys, we dig the LSX emblem too. Finally people will stop asking us if it is a "real" SuperSport.