GM 502 crate motor owners manual
 

Does anyone know how I can obtain an owners manual for a GM 502 crate motor?
My 69 vette came with a 502 motor with the block-Part number-10237300. The previous owner put it in, but he does not have the owners manual with him anymore.

I have tried calling GM performance and Helm without much success.

Unbelievable
 

I just got off the phone with GM performance parts (again).

The representative asked me what kind of car the motor is in right now.
I said that it was a 502 crate motor and it does not matter which car it is in. After 3 minutes of hold, she very confidently told me that GM does not make 502 motors anymore :rofl:

Try calling again, and if you have trouble getting your point across, ask to speak with an area manager. They, if nothing else, should be able to point you in the right direction.

I asked for a manual when I bought my 454HO a year ago and I was told there wasn't one.......nothing came with the motor except some GM Performance stickers and a single page about the warranty, which is null & void because it's an export.........

As for GM not making 502's anymore: BWWWWWAHAHAHAHAAAAA !!!!!! :lolg: :lolg:

I didn't know there was an owners manual? You might try Scoggin-Dickey or one of the dealers that sell them and see what they say.

Not sure if it's called an owners manual or service manual. Usually crate engines should come with detailed engine specs and maintenance instructions. I will try Scoggin-Dickey :thumbs:

I bought a 502/502 from Scoggin Dickey last year, the engine did not come with ANY paper work, not even a "This Side Up" installation sticker.

I spoke to GMPP and Scoggin Dickey directly and they stated that that is the way they ship. No manual, no dyno sheet, no break in recommendations.

Very Interesting...
How did you find service information for your motor. By service information, I mean the following.

Recommended oil
Suggested spark plug
Spark plug torque specs
etc..

Even if the motor does not come with a service manual, it should be available for purchase.

Just called Scoggin Dickey. The sales representative that I talked to said that GM does not sell service manuals for their crate motors. It's available only for GM dealerships, which means that you have to have your crate motors serviced by the dealer.

*****n unbelievable.

My RamJet 502 came with a "RamJet 502 System 12497323 Specification". It has a GM part# 12486609. Consists of 7 stapled, double sided pages of System description, specifications, installation procedure, break-in, and parts list. Not much in the way of detail.

Bullshark

Talked to my local engine guru for oil recommendation - Valvoline Racing (high in zinc)

Engine came with spark plugs installed (I have never used a torque wrench for spark plugs). Checked factory preset gap when they were pulled for installing headers and dialing in bell housing.

Cross referenced oil filter off of part number on the one installed at the factory.

Specs for engine are availble on line. Thanks for the part number Bullshark!

Thanks to both of you Skunkvette & Bullshark :thumbs:
A couple of last questions.

What's the spark plug gap that you have set ?
What kind of spark plug cables do you use.

I am trying to do a full tune up and I am so annoyed by the fact that GM does not give out service information for these crate motors :(

RamJet specification document calls out "AC Delco Rapidfire #4" part#25164642 you might look up that part for gap setting????

Parts list calls out the following GM part number #12368383 - Spark Plug Wire Kit (7MM wires).


Bullshark

P.S. this info is for the zz502 and RamJet aluminum head engines

.035" for coils, .045 for HEI.

I can copy my ZZ502/502 "Installation Instruction" package for you, but mine is the 12371204 kit(Long block) Aluminum heads,etc....I would think most torque specs,etc same as yours maybe....(parts list different though)..

Here is link to Service Manual for the 502 Ram Jet:

http://www.crateenginedepot.com/stor...4-P1251C6.aspx

Rich

And I found a couple of other books that may help.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1557...46#reader-link

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1557...46#reader-link

Yeah,the Rat motor book may help...Just use common sense when it comes to maintenance...in otherwords, when in doubt,change the oil...:rofl:

Here is a not so related old timer saying.
"If it aint leaking.. There is no oil in it"

Try This,
 

About the closest article or catalogue information on the crate engines is the "GM Performance Parts" catalogue. The 2001 version part number is PP NO. 13, P/N 12497881. I believe available in book stores.

The GM Performance Parts Catalog is free to download from the web but it is a 38 meg PDF file so dial up users beware.

-Mark.