Meissen's LT1 Rebuild Thread

[WMCC Doug]

I would caution you on re-using that cam. If it were me, I'd throw it in the scrap bin or make a mailbox post out of it. You had a slurry of metal filled oil run through out that engine. If you are dead set on re-using it, have it checked out by someone who knows what they are looking for.

James is keying on the same thing I mentioned here, Brian. My main concern was for the lifters. I guess most guys don't give much thought to the valve lifters, but they are easily the most precision parts in your entire car. The tolerances are extremely tight on the internal parts in a lifter and they are not able to handle any type of contamination. There's no amount of mineral spirits or solvents that will clean them up internally.

I understand you're trying to save as much $ on this rebuilt as possible, but I would be very careful in reusing your valve train parts. Your rocker arms also have needle bearings in them.

Even though you only drove the car about 100 miles, the contaminated oil has circulated through the engine thousands of times already.

I know this sucks, but if you just concentrate on the bottom end and miss some contaminated parts up top, you risk taking out the entire engine again when a rocker arm (or cam bearing, etc) seizes up and starts sending (new) metal particles through the engine.

I know it's easy for everyone to sit here at their computer and try to tell you how to spend your money, but please, at the very least, replace the lifters. Stock ones are fine. Make sure some expert examines the other parts you want to reuse (like the cam, cam bearings, rocker arms).

I'm guessing you don't want to do this for a third time.

[sman]

I didnt think balancing included the converter? Does it include clutch parts on a manual?

[meissen]

James is keying on the same thing I mentioned here, Brian. My main concern was for the lifters. I guess most guys don't give much thought to the valve lifters, but they are easily the most precision parts in your entire car. The tolerances are extremely tight on the internal parts in a lifter and they are not able to handle any type of contamination. There's no amount of mineral spirits or solvents that will clean them up internally.

I understand you're trying to save as much $ on this rebuilt as possible, but I would be very careful in reusing your valve train parts. Your rocker arms also have needle bearings in them.

Even though you only drove the car about 100 miles, the contaminated oil has circulated through the engine thousands of times already.

I know this sucks, but if you just concentrate on the bottom end and miss some contaminated parts up top, you risk taking out the entire engine again when a rocker arm (or cam bearing, etc) seizes up and starts sending (new) metal particles through the engine.

I know it's easy for everyone to sit here at their computer and try to tell you how to spend your money, but please, at the very least, replace the lifters. Stock ones are fine. Make sure some expert examines the other parts you want to reuse (like the cam, cam bearings, rocker arms).

I'm guessing you don't want to do this for a third time.

Not sure where the misinterpretation was, but I have absolutely no disagreements on replacing my lifters - those are definitely going to be replaced. It's the cam that I'm not willing to replace yet until I really get it inspected. Same with the roller rockers. If I get them inspected and they turn out to be junk, then I have no choice but yeah the lifters there's no disagreement on replacing those.

[DETROITMUSCLE]

I didnt think balancing included the converter? Does it include clutch parts on a manual?

LS cars are different they are internall balanced which is why the flexplate/flywheel and converter do not need to be balanced with the rotating assembly.

[sman]

So lt cars are done as one big piece?

[MP81]

Wow, Brian. I finally was able to get on (it's live-in week at the house) to see the pictures of the damage, and I have to say I am stunned and saddened to the highest degree.

Let me know if there's anything I can do, or if you need any help doing something.

Only thing I can say, really is that I'm really sorry to see the build go this way. I know how excited you were when it ran - we all were. We were all so happy for you, and none of us could have even guessed what was about to unfold.

My condolences for your loss, but just keep this in mind: when you rebuild it, it'll be more powerful than the initial configuration.

Good luck, sir.

[02redz28]

This just sucks Brian.... I was hoping to see the car this week too.

Have you thought about just buying a crate motor from GM? I know it takes away from the hands on tinkering but it would have a failure protection plan. Not to mention, you could just drop it in without all the messin around trying to clean metal shavings out of everything. Just a thought....

[meissen]

This just sucks Brian.... I was hoping to see the car this week too.

Have you thought about just buying a crate motor from GM? I know it takes away from the hands on tinkering but it would have a failure protection plan. Not to mention, you could just drop it in without all the messin around trying to clean metal shavings out of everything. Just a thought....

Financially impossible at this point.

[98blackbeauty]

Yeah right now its like to soon to jump in any direction, still haven't totally got engine stripped down. His pitcrew is moving slow today after big work day Sunday. And what really sucks I didn't get overtime or double time pay for sunday.

[ICEPICK]

ive never heard of balencing a whole motor, the crank and fly wheel are done together not with the torqconverter, trany fluid would probly go everyplace,

on the cam note, 1fstss had his cam in for a week and somthing got in the bearings and tore it all up and that car sat for a long time, if there are any grooves in the cam it may be more likley a cool paper waight.

ive had my motor done top to bottom and paid the guy to put the internales in so as to not have a problem, it has been 4 yrs now.

all i can say is good luck and hope the cam is good.

[OIF1VET]

Wow, those are some screwed up pics... Good luck to you B!!

[Phantom409]

So lt cars are done as one big piece?

My car, Red's car and Josh Yoeasy69's were all balanced with everything.

The more you can give them the better off you are.

Our Flywheels were neutrally balanced because they are externally balanced and the rotating assembly is internal.

The flex plate will have to be neutrally balanced because it's externally balanced right now.

[bigjon88]

Yeah right now its like to soon to jump in any direction, still haven't totally got engine stripped down. His pitcrew is moving slow today after big work day Sunday. And what really sucks I didn't get overtime or double time pay for sunday.

hey you had another set of hands that helped!!!!!!! un like someone....
cough cough b......

[98blackbeauty]

hey you had another set of hands that helped!!!!!!! un like someone....
cough cough b......

A big thanks to Jon, he got there just as we were dropping motor. THANKS AGAIN JON, you were a huge help, even though you didn't like my ratchet extentions!

[bigjon88]

lol it cuz you threw them at me under the car!! then offered me a light...