The engine is toast. Now what?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
Likes: 33
From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
The engine is toast. Now what?
It appears that the bearings are out in the fresh 355 I installed in my '80. It is knocking fiercely. I've don all the troubleshooting I know how to do and that is the conclusion. All that time and money down the drain. I had about 30K miles on it and really enjoyed the power and decent mileage it gave. Now it is a paperweight.
It was a four bolt main 355, steel crank and rods, 10.5 to 1 hypereutectic pistons, freshened L-82 heads, Performer intake with a Lars QJ that has been on it about a week, and Hooker long tubes.
Sickening...
It was a four bolt main 355, steel crank and rods, 10.5 to 1 hypereutectic pistons, freshened L-82 heads, Performer intake with a Lars QJ that has been on it about a week, and Hooker long tubes.
Sickening...
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 774
Likes: 1
From: Round Rock Texas
It appears that the bearings are out in the fresh 355 I installed in my '80. It is knocking fiercely. I've don all the troubleshooting I know how to do and that is the conclusion. All that time and money down the drain. I had about 30K miles on it and really enjoyed the power and decent mileage it gave. Now it is a paperweight.
It was a four bolt main 355, steel crank and rods, 10.5 to 1 hypereutectic pistons, freshened L-82 heads, Performer intake with a Lars QJ that has been on it about a week, and Hooker long tubes.
Sickening...
It was a four bolt main 355, steel crank and rods, 10.5 to 1 hypereutectic pistons, freshened L-82 heads, Performer intake with a Lars QJ that has been on it about a week, and Hooker long tubes.
Sickening...
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,607
Likes: 7,053
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Sorry to hear about the engine!
The good news is that it STILL knocks.....(it didn't fly apart internally)!
I'm hoping that the damage is limited to replaceable bearings.
Keep us posted.
The good news is that it STILL knocks.....(it didn't fly apart internally)!
I'm hoping that the damage is limited to replaceable bearings.
Keep us posted.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,577
Likes: 121
I agree. Its not that hard and wouldn't cost that much even if you had to have a new crank. On another note I have had a piston skirt to break off and it knocked like hell and i thought it was a bearing until i tore it down. Have seen on autos a torgue convertor bolt come loose and also sound like a bearing.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
Likes: 33
From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
For the moment I'm just tired of spending so much money on the thing. Maybe I need to step back and get a plan. Wait, that is a plan. I need a better plan...
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,607
Likes: 7,053
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 926
Likes: 2
From: Castle Rock CO
Well that bytes on the blown bearings. Have the crank replaced or ground a little deeper and install new mains. Or if you want to spend the bucks go for a 383 Stroker upgrade kit. The crankshaft is a little longer and will give you more torque and HP most 383 Strokers will give you between 300 to 350 HP. I almost bought a 1976 with the 383 Stroker kit installed and he had it dyno the L48 produced 326 HP and close to 300 FT of torque. He showed me the paper work. The only reason I did not buy the car was it would have cost me close to 2000 to get it Emission Legal again.
Last edited by MakoJoe; Mar 14, 2014 at 09:54 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 129
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
Take a little break, then take a run at it. Personally, I would try to work with what you have and perform a QUALITY budget rebuilt.
If you are generally happy with your parts and power, I would think you could get a reputable area engine builder to take care of you.
I would NOT take it to a "machine shop", repair place, or a friend. You need a person that ONLY deals with performance engines. Get yourself a $150 cherry picker, pull it, and have some fun.
Took me 1-1/2 years to get back on the road. I worked within the provided budget and am very happy with the results.
If you are generally happy with your parts and power, I would think you could get a reputable area engine builder to take care of you.
I would NOT take it to a "machine shop", repair place, or a friend. You need a person that ONLY deals with performance engines. Get yourself a $150 cherry picker, pull it, and have some fun.
Took me 1-1/2 years to get back on the road. I worked within the provided budget and am very happy with the results.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 115
From: Yelm Wa
At this time you are frustrated..all the more reason to kick back, assess the situation, and make a decision based on practical matters, rather than emotional ones.
Good luck..it isn't the end of the world.
Good luck..it isn't the end of the world.
Terrorizing Orange Cones
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 17
From: Northern CO
I feel for you, C-J.
Had a very similar issue happen to the current motor in my car. I was lucky to get the car home without further damage. Parked the car in the garage and let it sit for almost 4 months before pulling the package (engine/trans) back out.
Each outcome may be different and I hope that you are as fortunate as I was. The following was my simplified process:
Discovered the #4 main and the #6 rod bearings absorbed the beating. Saved the journals but they were sacrificed in their duty.
After disassembly, inspection, cleaning, and final inspection, I installed new same-size rod and mains along with fresh same-size piston rings. The car was cleaned again and prepped for a fresh installation. Reassembled and installed the engine/trans and has run without issue since.
Oh and after proper break-in, I've run the car not only on the street and in parades, but in several autocross events. Power, performance, and mileage restored. YMMV.
It's a lower-cost option if the damage is salvageable. Good luck.
Had a very similar issue happen to the current motor in my car. I was lucky to get the car home without further damage. Parked the car in the garage and let it sit for almost 4 months before pulling the package (engine/trans) back out.
Each outcome may be different and I hope that you are as fortunate as I was. The following was my simplified process:
Discovered the #4 main and the #6 rod bearings absorbed the beating. Saved the journals but they were sacrificed in their duty.
After disassembly, inspection, cleaning, and final inspection, I installed new same-size rod and mains along with fresh same-size piston rings. The car was cleaned again and prepped for a fresh installation. Reassembled and installed the engine/trans and has run without issue since.
Oh and after proper break-in, I've run the car not only on the street and in parades, but in several autocross events. Power, performance, and mileage restored. YMMV.
It's a lower-cost option if the damage is salvageable. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
Likes: 33
From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
That's what I'm hoping. I'll pull it out soon and assess the damage. I hope I caught it before too much harm was done.
Thanks for all the good responses. I appreciate the support and ideas.
Thanks for all the good responses. I appreciate the support and ideas.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,453
Likes: 67
From: Midland Ontario
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Keep your chin up, crappy time of the year (not that there's ever a good time) for it to happen. Hopefully you don't have to put a second on the house to get back on the road by summer. All the best in your discovery.