Engine coolant problem and which new BB is best for replacement
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 331
Likes: 1
From: ny
Engine coolant problem and which new BB is best for replacement
First off Vette is '68 327. I had the engine rebuilt at the end of last year and it was bored .30 over, forged pistons, the whole works. About a month later I had white smoke coming out of the passenger side exaust. I figured it was a head gasket or valve problem so I removed the head and had it checked and looked at and was told it was fine. I had the head redone and I reinstalled it. I brought it in to be set up and the guy said it ran beautifully after set up with no problems. So he started it the next morning and the problem came back shortly with the white smoke and he smelled antifreeze again. It overheated one time after rebuild last year but I shut it off right away. The guy says it is probably a cracked block and not the head. He is going to check it out more on Monday and see if he can narrow it down. Anyone have any ideas what it could be? If it is the block can it be repaired? If it is cracked I am thinking of just putting in a Big Block, i just hate the idea of losing the original engine. What Big Block would you guys recommend? I want a new engine and a lot of power( would like to at least do 12's for ET and hopefully lower). What would a good set up be? Money isn't really no object but I don't mind going up to $10,000 for the engine.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,096
Likes: 990
From: Sierra Foothills CA
Re: Engine coolant problem and which new BB is best for replacement (james75)
Well, the white smoke is never a good thing but have you considered the possibility that the intake manifold gaskets aren't sealing properly? If there's been enough milled off of the block & heads over the years, that can change the seating angle of the intake enough to cause sealing problems....something to think about. Even if you figure out that your motor is fixable it might not be a bad idea to bag & store it so you don't have to worry about losing it sometime & seeing the value of your Vette drop as a result(assuming you really don't mind spending on a new motor).
As for your other question, you have alot of options for $10K. It depends on if you want to have something built for you by a shop you trust or if you want to go the crate motor route. There was an oval port 427 for sale in the C3 parts section a couple of days ago that looked pretty reasonable. Or....the 502/502HP motor from Chevy would be a great choice. I think it's Scoggin-Dickey Chevrolet that goes that one better & builds a 600+ HP version of the 502.
There are also some sweet recipes in various mags on how to build a 502 up to about 635 HP while still having great street manners. I saved one in particular and can scan a copy within a couple days if you want.
As for your other question, you have alot of options for $10K. It depends on if you want to have something built for you by a shop you trust or if you want to go the crate motor route. There was an oval port 427 for sale in the C3 parts section a couple of days ago that looked pretty reasonable. Or....the 502/502HP motor from Chevy would be a great choice. I think it's Scoggin-Dickey Chevrolet that goes that one better & builds a 600+ HP version of the 502.
There are also some sweet recipes in various mags on how to build a 502 up to about 635 HP while still having great street manners. I saved one in particular and can scan a copy within a couple days if you want.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 331
Likes: 1
From: ny
Re: Engine coolant problem and which new BB is best for replacement (james75)
The intake gaskets were replaced when i took the head off. It is a new intake and the heads have only been done once. Could it be the intake even if it ran fine for almost a month then started the problem. I thought the only way to get white smoke would be through the exaust valve. Or do you mean coolant came from the water holes to the head. There was no antifreeze in the oil that I could tell when it was drained.
I trust the shop I deal with. I would like to go with a 427, doesn't matter if they build it or crate. Maybe crate would be better and less worries? I want the most power I can squeeze out hopefully for less than $10,000. That was just a number, I'd like to get it done for half that and spend the rest fixing the rest of the car.
I trust the shop I deal with. I would like to go with a 427, doesn't matter if they build it or crate. Maybe crate would be better and less worries? I want the most power I can squeeze out hopefully for less than $10,000. That was just a number, I'd like to get it done for half that and spend the rest fixing the rest of the car.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Re: Engine coolant problem and which new BB is best for replacement (One GM A Tech)
James, Lots of experience available on the forum but they might not pick up on this topic, or your username. I believe there are some issues in converting a smallblock 68 to bigblock, ie some suspension components that need beefing up. Several have done it and/or thoroughly researched it and can advise you. GDaina has a monster (540? 560?) built engine in his 68. Flareside has thoroughly researched the topic as well and is in the process of building a replacement engine for his 68 bigblock. I would rely heavily on both of these guys if I were upgrading my bigblock, although being very cost concious I would first look at the potential of the GM 454 crate engine.
Steve Straus is converting his smallblock to bigblock. Bence is building a bigblock for his as well.... very popular topic!! MJ
Steve Straus is converting his smallblock to bigblock. Bence is building a bigblock for his as well.... very popular topic!! MJ
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,809
Likes: 0
Re: Engine coolant problem and which new BB is best for replacement (james75)
After having the motor rebuilt I would go with a crate motor. A nice starting place to look is http://www.sdpc2000.com
As mentioned earlier chevy has some nice crates;
454 HO; 425 hp, 500 tq
502 HO; 450 hp, 550tq
502 ZZ; 502hp, 567 tq, aluminium heads
As mentioned earlier chevy has some nice crates;
454 HO; 425 hp, 500 tq
502 HO; 450 hp, 550tq
502 ZZ; 502hp, 567 tq, aluminium heads
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,563
Likes: 2
Re: Engine coolant problem and which new BB is best for replacement (james75)
I like the ZZ/502; 502 h.p., 565 lb./ft. torque, GM warranty, ready to run, complete around $6500. Best bang for the buck, IMHO. Throw in a R.O.D. 6 speed, and you have an instant BEAST!
Also, 454 HO, 425 h.p., 500 ft./lbs. torque, GM warranty, around $4500.
Check out Bill Mitchell Merlins too! Great combos here.
Rats rule!
:yesnod: :chevy :chevy :yesnod:
Also, 454 HO, 425 h.p., 500 ft./lbs. torque, GM warranty, around $4500.
Check out Bill Mitchell Merlins too! Great combos here.
Rats rule!
:yesnod: :chevy :chevy :yesnod:
