66 Chevelle PT build (ours)

[73z-6sp]

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[tommycomfort]

Looking good Tom! Always like to see new bullets for projects!

We clearly could have tanked our old motor, installed new bearings and bought all the ARP bolts much cheaper than buying this, but now, when it's all said and done we have two all aluminum 6.2L LS motors. And, it was just in time for Sam's birthday... I did take the money he had been saving to help pay for the new engine. Does that make me a bad dad? LOL

[tommycomfort]

Ok now get sam and ded out in the shop and get it in for the NSRA Nats this weekend. LOL

Well, won't make the Nats this weekend, but we have something really big that the motor needs to be installed for coming up.

[wiedemab]

Cool - I'm glad you were able to pick that motor up. I think it was a deal worth buying............I'm sure Sam does too! He's thinking - UPGRADE!!

[rocketrod]

Nice build Tom and it was good talking to you last night. If I wasn't on vacation I would shipped you my Mast oil pan, or met you somewhere in between so you could make your event this weekend. I hope everything works out.

[tommycomfort]

Nice build Tom and it was good talking to you last night. If I wasn't on vacation I would shipped you my Mast oil pan, or met you somewhere in between so you could make your event this weekend. I hope everything works out.

Thanks Rod, I enjoyed talking cars and LS's with you also. We ended up driving to Murfreeboro, TN yesterday to pick up a Mast pan from Kerry (analyte) that he won't be using for a while. Today will be a long day getting the motor back in a started. Then drive it around tomorrow a little to do some break-in.

[tommycomfort]

No exciting pictures to post, but the new crate L92 is now installed and runs great (so far). The big news is that we leave tomorrow afternoon for SORC (Sandhills Open Road Challenge) and some other cool stuff that optima has put together. I'll post updates and pictures when I can. It's hard to believe the car has been down since June 26th!
Tom

[BayouSS]

Good Luck Tom. Checked out their website and looks like a good time. Keep us posted on how that new engine is doing. Maybe one day........

[Vegas69]

Sorry to see the LS family treating you like a red headed step child. Ha Ha That bearing damage sure looks like oil starvation. Once you lose a bearing, the block really needs all the passages cleaned out or you can tear up another set of bearings fast. The oil viscosity needed is really a by product of bearing clearance and internal leaks. Thicker is certainly not always better. It's what gives you the correct oil pressure, HOT.

I remember speaking with my engine builder about the LSX family. One comment that stood out was that he wasn't impressed with the oiling system which surprised me.

[tommycomfort]

As usual it's been too long since an update, but here's where we stand now. After a slight oil pan emergency and having to make a Saturday day trip down to Mufreesboro, TN to pickup a replacement (thanks Kerry!) we got the motor installed and logged a quick 100 mile local cruise to help with break in. Then on Monday when our oil pan fittings arrived we plumbed our new oil cooler and wrapped up the rest of the loose ends. Bottom line, Sam and I wrapped it up and loaded it on the trailer about 7 PM and then drove home to drop him off and pick up Deb. Poor Sam had to start school on Thursday, so after spending the summer thrashing on our cars, he didn't get to attend this event.

I know, you're disappointed to hear that we trailered, but it was only to Columbia, MO where we linked up with the other "usual suspects" at a hotel. That crowd was; Bill Howell, Brian Finch, John Parsons, Brad Granger, David Sloan, Kyle Tucker, Tom McBride, Yancy Johns and Albert. We left the truck and trailer at the hotel and packed the Chevelle with tons of luggage and tools for the rest of the trip and away we went heading to Hastings, Nebraska. Although there were more trailers than guys actually driving their cars, it is always a blast to convoy with that group. The laughs and memories from these kinds of road trips are forever.

Here's how it went:
Monday - leave for Columbia, MO and get very little sleep in the hotel.
Tuesday - Head to Motorsports Park Hastings and get wrapped up in a three hour detour on the way. We did get to get some "parade" laps in before it got dark.
Wednesday - An abbreviated driving school, then driving with an instructor. I told the instructors that even though I have been on a few road courses to treat me like I know nothing. Also had some "power summit" meetings to discuss with optima where our hobby is going.
Thursday - Road trip from Hastings to Arnold for the Sandhills Open Road Challenge (SORC). We also got registered, teched and the sponsor decals installed by the local high school kids. Great town and huge support for the event!
Friday - We skipped the 1/2 mile "drags" in order to run the actual Saturday course a few times and drive to North Platte for a 30 minute 10 minute oil change... Also spent some time going through the car making sure it was ready for the Open Road Challenge
Saturday - After a slight rain delay we were set to go on the 55 mile run in the 91 MPH average class. All I can say is that it was a blast and maintaining a 91 mph average was not a problem. Our max speed was 120 (max allowed for our class). After hanging out until almost 9PM we finally headed toward Hastings where a lot of our group left their trailers. We crashed at a track condo for the night thanks to our host George.
Sunday - It was full go heading back to Columbia to get the truck and trailer and then to Home. Long day and long week, but an absolute unbelievable time!
The car and engine did great and we're actually just a hair shy of putting 2000 miles on the car this trip. I would say that it is successfully broken in now. On the way from Hastings to Columbia we averaged 19.7 MPG at a high rate of speed...

I know these pictures won't do it justice but here's what we have.

[tommycomfort]

More pictures









If you think there is not danger driving at high speeds on a county road, think again...

[tommycomfort]

and still more pictures



We killed more bugs on this trip than ever before


The wheels ended up filthy too

[David Sloan]

What a great time with good people. Thanks for the update, an letting me hang out with you guys.

[sr73bu]

Thats just awesome!

"Victoria Per Perserverantiam Venit" (Through perseverance comes victory).... even if it takes a few motors and broken parts, you guys are proof that sticking with it always works out in the end!

-Sean

[tommycomfort]

Thats just awesome!

"Victoria Per Perserverantiam Venit" (Through perseverance comes victory).... even if it takes a few motors and broken parts, you guys are proof that sticking with it always works out in the end!

-Sean

Well Sean, Victory is not a word I like to mix with our car hobby, but if victory is about having a blast with incredible people, then we're the winners!

What a great time with good people. Thanks for the update, an letting me hang out with you guys.

It really is the people in this hobby that makes it worth while!

[Ron.in.SoCal]

Great update and pics Tom. 'Rockstar' class in the PT world...:thumbsup:

[Yelcamino]

Nice pics Tom! Looks like you and Deb had a good time! Too bad school got in the way for Sam.

[eric1967]

Glad to see you got the car back together. Sounds like a great trip. Eric

[HectorM52]

Where did you get this sticker???

[analyte]

That looked like a lot of fun. No wonder you were in a thrash to go!!