Meissen's LT1 Build-up Thread

[Phantom409]

If you are going to take them apart I would just replace them and don't bother checking the old ones.

Make sure you MARK the caps so they go back on the same way.
And if you are going to be that far down you should think about doing the main bearings too.
They can just be rolled out and new ones rolled in with out removing the crank.

And your dad was talking about plastic gauge, it's soft a plyable and can be squished to check clearance.

[my95z28]

My 2 cents. If i was thinking about replacing rod bearings, I would just take the shortblock for a basic rebuild. Meaning; clean, honed, new rings, cam bearings, rod bearings, and main bearings. Shouldn't be more than a few hundred if you take it in torn down. Then you have basically have a new motor that is reassemblied with the correct tolerances. Other wise I wouldn't mess with the short block at all.

Project is looking good.
BTW, their is a guy at cz28 selling GM crate LT1 short blocks for 1K with shipping included. The wheels on the bus go round and round.

Perfect example of said slippery slope, lol.

[DETROITMUSCLE]

Well being that my motor is out for this exact same thing I'm gonna butt in and say it'll cost more than a few hundred to "freshen" up the motor. I'm having my stock rods, pistons, and crank used and getting all new bearings, rings, and having the ARP rod bolts installed and to be honest I'd be happy to get out under $800.

[92conv]

Wow B, sounds like you'll be lucky if the car is back together by August.

[Phantom409]

We better have an install party soon

[JoeliusZ28]

honestly i say leave it alone. dont even check the bearings, put it back together and enjoy it. Brian is going to shift it conservatively - itll live and still punish the pavement.

[smokeyrider05]

x2 better off leaving it alone if you dont have the cash. half A$$in it will just cause you more problems.. just change all the gaskets and trow her in there.

[smokeyrider05]

btw my bearings have never been changed and im sure mine gets reved higer then ur will....

[meissen]

Well, thankfully I'm getting considerably more back on my income taxes than I've... ever... gotten. to being a college student and getting credits for the tuition loans

That said, though, it doesn't mean I want to go on a spending spree for stuff I don't need... just means the stuff that I already knew I needed to get can be bought sooner than having to save up - and thus getting my car back together faster.

[98blackbeauty]

We weren't going to take the crank out I don't think. Mr Plum Nuts himself can correct me if I'm wrong but as I understand it you unbolt something, put a piece of soft plastic in, then bolt some piece over it. Depending on how much the plastic gets compressed depends on if I need new bearings or not... or something like that

their called plastigauge. Used them some years ago I think they still make them.

[81DaytonaPaceCar]

Well, thankfully I'm getting considerably more back on my income taxes than I've... ever... gotten. to being a college student and getting credits for the tuition loans

All that really means, B, is that you overpaid taxes for the entire year and the government got the interest for it...

I'd much rather get nothing back from the government in April as opposed to getting hundreds of dollars...hell, I'd rather pay in April...just means I kept my money longer...

[Phantom409]

their called plastigauge. Used them some years ago I think they still make them.

Yes they still make it.
It's used in the tool & die industry all the time.
And I'm sure the local engine shops use it too.

[MP81]

I still never got how a plastigauge worked...and they explained it in numerous articles in all the mags I get...

[meissen]

All that really means, B, is that you overpaid taxes for the entire year and the government got the interest for it...

I'd much rather get nothing back from the government in April as opposed to getting hundreds of dollars...hell, I'd rather pay in April...just means I kept my money longer...

Yeah but I'd rather get a lump sum in April... and I'm getting a lot more than "hundreds of dollars."

[Phantom409]

I still never got how a plastigauge worked...and they explained it in numerous articles in all the mags I get...

It's easy
On th e sleve that it comes in, it has different squish thichnesses on it so you know what your clearance is.

You just rip off a small piece, place it on both sides of the bearing, torque your bolts down, then undo them and see how wide it squished the plastic gauge.
Bam, you have your clearance

It comes in different colors and it all acts different.