Aluminum Block 427 Install

[Gitter Dun]

Very cool build! Don't let the oil leaks get you down, I'm still chasing them out of mine after 18 years of the same car. I even tried the 1pc pan gaskets, still get some drips in the parking places. It does keep the underbody from rusting though! -Dan

I'm wondering if there is to much crank case pressure. Thinking about plumbing 1/2" lines into back of valve covers and tying into collector.

[Ripped]

Sorry to hear about your oil leaks and engine saga. Kind of going through similar issues ripping the engine, in and out again and again is not fun.

Have you opened the oil filter, to see what is inside the filter?

The excess cork is a PITA, but likely didn't get all through the system or past the filter.

I'd be more concerned if you saw an excess amount of bearing material in the filter

[MrQuick]

I'm wondering if there is to much crank case pressure. Thinking about plumbing 1/2" lines into back of valve covers and tying into collector.

eeek i hope not. If they used cork on the intake fronts then i'd say no.

Reminds me of the time a guy used full synthetic to break in the motor and the rings failed to seat. I assume your builder was smart enough not to make that mistake.

Vince

[Vegas69]

You have plenty of crancase ventilation there. Especially since you haven't even raced it. The engine made good power. Hopefully it's just leaks.

[Gitter Dun]

Sorry to hear about your oil leaks and engine saga. Kind of going through similar issues ripping the engine, in and out again and again is not fun.

Have you opened the oil filter, to see what is inside the filter?

The excess cork is a PITA, but likely didn't get all through the system or past the filter.

I'd be more concerned if you saw an excess amount of bearing material in the filter

I just got back from dropping engine back in. I have a System One remote oil filter with removable filter screen checked and cleaned it before dropping engine in. I didn't see anything that looked like bearing material so I think thats a good sign. There was a thicker viscosity fluid in the pan at the bottom though, silver in color. I'm hoping that is some sort of assembly lube. Any ideas?

[Gitter Dun]

eeek i hope not. If they used cork on the intake fronts then i'd say no.

Reminds me of the time a guy used full synthetic to break in the motor and the rings failed to seat. I assume your builder was smart enough not to make that mistake.

Vince

I dont think anybody uses gaskets in front of the intake anymore. I never have. Typically a thick bead of Permatex. I think he's probably a good builder, just buried in work. Took him 6 weeks to get motor to me and started it in the 5th week. We set a schedule for me to come and watch dyno pull and I think he rushed some of it.

[Gitter Dun]

You have plenty of crancase ventilation there. Especially since you haven't even raced it. The engine made good power. Hopefully it's just leaks.

Thanks. I'm used to seeing a little leaking but after the first time I fired it up after about 5 minutes of idling I had a 4" diameter puddle under my car coming dead center between the bellhousing and the engine. That is way to much. Also, the oil pan bolts were way to loose.

After pulling the pan the gasket and Permatex were practically falling off. He definitely did not clean the surfaces properly before installing pan gaskets.

[Ripped]

I just got back from dropping engine back in. I have a System One remote oil filter with removable filter screen checked and cleaned it before dropping engine in. I didn't see anything that looked like bearing material so I think thats a good sign. There was a thicker viscosity fluid in the pan at the bottom though, silver in color. I'm hoping that is some sort of assembly lube. Any ideas?

I think bearing material would show up as babbit between the filter folds. I don't know what the silver stuff would be, maybe assembly lube, zinc additive, some minor normal break-in stuff.

Sounds okay

[Gitter Dun]

I think bearing material would show up as babbit between the filter folds. I don't know what the silver stuff would be, maybe assembly lube, zinc additive, some minor normal break-in stuff.

Sounds okay

Thanks, I was thinking some sort of additive or assembly lube also. Filter folds looked fine.

[Jims78elky]

Thanks. I'm used to seeing a little leaking but after the first time I fired it up after about 5 minutes of idling I had a 4" diameter puddle under my car coming dead center between the bellhousing and the engine. That is way to much. Also, the oil pan bolts were way to loose.

After pulling the pan the gasket and Permatex were practically falling off. He definitely did not clean the surfaces properly before installing pan gaskets.

I don't feel comfortable with the way the engine builder did this engine,leaks and cork material in the build? I think you said it yourself "If they skimped there,where else did they skimp?" I would hate to see you get screwed for that much money.Tell the builder your bringing back there engine,have them correct the issues,you shouldn't have to fix ''there problems'' and for that kind of cash the engine should be 100% drop in and go,all the bugs and leaks should have been addressed on the dyno runs,that's why we pay them the big bucks,being a lazy engine builder should not cost the customer!

Wow..I wish you luck on everything.

-Jim

[Vegas69]

Certainly sounds pretty half assed. Hopefully it was just a couple leaks.

[Gitter Dun]

I don't feel comfortable with the way the engine builder did this engine,leaks and cork material in the build? I think you said it yourself "If they skimped there,where else did they skimp?" I would hate to see you get screwed for that much money.Tell the builder your bringing back there engine,have them correct the issues,you shouldn't have to fix ''there problems'' and for that kind of cash the engine should be 100% drop in and go,all the bugs and leaks should have been addressed on the dyno runs,that's why we pay them the big bucks,being a lazy engine builder should cost the customer!

Wow..I wish you luck on everything.

-Jim

Thanks Jim, I couldn't have said it better myself. I didn't see any bearing material in the pan or the filter folds so I'm hoping all is good.

I dropped the motor back in after fixing their work and finally took her for a ride Today. So far all is good. Minor tuning needed that I will save for tomorrow.

I dont have it in me to pull that motor again. I work alone and I am friken beat.

I'm gonna call those guys Tuesday and work on getting back some compensation for fixing their work.

[Gitter Dun]

Certainly sounds pretty half assed. Hopefully it was just a couple leaks.

Definitely half ass on pan and intake install. Hopefully the rest is OK cause I'm still taking her to Buttonwillow next weekend.

[Gitter Dun]

OK, took her for a ride today. Leaks seem to be under control.

Totally different car now. I can really feel all of the wait that was taken off the front of the car. When I get on her and hit the torque curve the back of the car bounces. I think with all of the weight taken off the front the rear needs to be adjusted and I may have to go to softer springs up front.

I'm gonna bring 3 sets of front springs to Buttonwillow next weekend and try and dial her in.

When I'm done tuning car tomorrow I'll post pic's

[Jims78elky]

Thanks Jim, I couldn't have said it better myself. I didn't see any bearing material in the pan or the filter folds so I'm hoping all is good.

I dropped the motor back in after fixing their work and finally took her for a ride Today. So far all is good. Minor tuning needed that I will save for tomorrow.

I dont have it in me to pull that motor again. I work alone and I am friken beat.

I'm gonna call those guys Tuesday and work on getting back some compensation for fixing their work.

Hey man that's Awesome!! Iam happy to hear that you got it all sorted out and no more issues,but your right about calling them and letting there owner know what stress you had to go through,and that maybe somebody else with not as much patience or time would have not been very happy,or would be so forgiving, they should at least refund you the Buttonwillow money you lost out on,there time is money...and let them understand so is yours!

Enjoy that new engine..and let us know how she goes!




-Jim

[Ripped]

Glad to hear it's working out.

I spent the weekend makng a run-up test stand for mine. I don't hav it in me, to haul it out again either, so I am going to check the thing completely for leaks, before I even drop it in the car.

I am so frickin beat from redoing the engine re & re again :( the only thing that's good, is the weather has been $#itty, and I would not have been driving, it much

[Gitter Dun]

Glad to hear it's working out.

I spent the weekend makng a run-up test stand for mine. I don't hav it in me, to haul it out again either, so I am going to check the thing completely for leaks, before I even drop it in the car.

I am so frickin beat from redoing the engine re & re again :( the only thing that's good, is the weather has been $#itty, and I would not have been driving, it much

I feel your pain buddy. I'll say a prayer for you tonight, LOL. Glad to hear the weather is in your favor.

[Gitter Dun]

Well the gremlins continue to haunt my car. I took her for a ride this morning and as I was just getting home(Luckily) I lost a radiator hose. I wanted to dial in the timing but everything is closed so It will wait till tomorrow. I also noticed oil under the car which means not only was my pan leaking but now my rear main seal too. Just Wonderful!!

On a good note, I got the opportunity to cut a coil off my front springs.

[Ripped]

Well the gremlins continue to haunt my car. I took her for a ride this morning and as I was just getting home(Luckily) I lost a radiator hose. I wanted to dial in the timing but everything is closed so It will wait till tomorrow. I also noticed oil under the car which means not only was my pan leaking but now my rear main seal too. Just Wonderful!!

On a good note, I got the opportunity to cut a coil off my front springs.

The stance looks good.

Really, though, you have more oil issues?

Did you do anything with the rear seal when it came out before?

Can you get at it from under the car?

Ohh man, that sucks

[MrQuick]

damn. are you absolutly sure its the oil pan? Could it be up higher? Hope you get it sorted out.

Vince