Plum 95 engine project

[meissen]

Well here's what he found when he got the head off - gasket was all mangled on the outside of cylinder 1 and cylinder 7. Also note the puddle of coolant in cylinder 7.

Woodward 034.jpg

[MP81]

Holy shit, that's, wow. Good you caught it when you guys did!

[ITSSLOW]

In reference to the head bolts, I bet someone used RTV on the ends to seal them into the water jackets. When you do that, you can end up with a hydraulic lock on the bolt. Looking good, Larry. Pretty soon I will get to do round 2 on dropping my engine out... ugh.

Don't you mean like round 22?

[98blackbeauty]

now that your getting so good at the lt1 stuff, i think you need to drop by my house and help me fix my oil leak .

Larry, I like how you are documenting the work. really easy to follow, keep up the good work!!!

also ft. meyers is awsome, you should go to sanibel island for a day while you are there... it is my favorite place in florida

Yeah, I like the beach between captivia island and sanibel. We have a condo on ft. Meyers beach overlooks sanibel, been going down there for 20 yrs.
Let me know when and we'll take a look at it. Common leak is back of intake manifold, front and rear seals. It could be a good winter project for you.

[Superman09]

Damn, I must say how you guys have this engine pull down is pretty awesome, great work!

[meissen]

Well dad's been outside cranking away. He bought an impact socket knowing that it's built "beefier" but still using it with hand tools. This proved to be the advantage on the driver's side head. The passenger side head came loose with no issues - though he didn't fully drain the coolant

Dad thinks the reason why the driver's head bolts were practically welded on was due to the blown head gasket and possible cooling issues. In the pics below, you'll see that cylinder 7 on the head is all white compared to the rest of them being all nice and dark. The piston itself is also really white too.

Dad's current plans are to just buy replacement lifters (LS7 lifters), get the replacement gaskets for what he's torn apart, and then put it back together and get it back in. He's going the cheap route but he feels the car "ran really strong" the way it was. He's just looking forward to being able to enjoy the car without having to worry about it overheating.

Anyway - here's the pics:
LT1 001.JPG

LT1 002.JPG

LT1 003.JPG

LT1 004.JPG

LT1 005.JPG

[MP81]

I still think it'd be wise to do a small cam.

But hey, Larry is a stubborn old man.

[Darren]

I still think it'd be wise to do a small cam.

But hey, Larry is a stubborn old man.

X2 both of these are very true...

[98blackbeauty]

I still think it'd be wise to do a small cam.

But hey, Larry is a stubborn old man.

also Cheep! No point in doing cam without headers, and if you do cam, headers, then need heavy duty valve springs, then also might as well do rollor rockers, etc etc. Its very easy to spend 2,000 plus on what I just said. Add that to the 450 it will take. So you have to draw the line.

[shawnc16]

Oooo come on.. It could be worse.. It could cost DOUBLE that amount...

[my1994z28]

Are you having the heads checked before you put it back together?It does not take much to warp these aluminum heads..Just dont want you to tear it apart and have to do it again..

[Darren]

also Cheep! No point in doing cam without headers, and if you do cam, headers, then need heavy duty valve springs, then also might as well do rollor rockers, etc etc. Its very easy to spend 2,000 plus on what I just said. Add that to the 450 it will take. So you have to draw the line.

True BUT its ohh so worth it, you dont have to do all the mentioned... Cam, headers would do you great...

Are you having the heads checked before you put it back together?It does not take much to warp these aluminum heads..Just dont want you to tear it apart and have to do it again..

X2 might want to get them at least looked at.

[klrlt1]

You guys should atleast pop the oil pan and change out the main bearings. And put a new oil pump in.

[shawnc16]

You guys should atleast pop the oil pan and change out the main bearings. And put a new oil pump in.

Not a bad investment. Bearings are CHEAP!

[Formula Z]

looking good larry. good luck on the rest