L48 toast? Need advice!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Woodstock GA
L48 toast? Need advice!
Well juuust got a call from my mechanic with some real bad news. I took it in for some bad knocking, and he said that I've got "piston slap", not rattle, where the piston is slappin' hard against the cylinder. He guesses that whoever rebuilt the block bored it out and didn't put the right size pistons or rings in.
So, any advice? The guy says it's pretty much a no-brainer that I am looking at another rebuild here, since the pistons don't apparently match up right, and that it is almost certainly the case.
Do I rebuild this L48 again that has 130k on it?
Put a replacement motor in?
or do I sell it outright and start over?
Oh man, this really stinks. I sold my C4 to buy this '77,and I just got hosed. I was all set to put in a cam, intake and headers, too. (cry)
Thanks for any input.
Kaboom
So, any advice? The guy says it's pretty much a no-brainer that I am looking at another rebuild here, since the pistons don't apparently match up right, and that it is almost certainly the case.
Do I rebuild this L48 again that has 130k on it?
Put a replacement motor in?
or do I sell it outright and start over?
Oh man, this really stinks. I sold my C4 to buy this '77,and I just got hosed. I was all set to put in a cam, intake and headers, too. (cry)
Thanks for any input.
Kaboom
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
Likes: 155
From: Thomson Georgia
Re: L48 toast? Need advice! (Captain_Kaboom)
Man that really sux.............Who is doing your engine work?? What would it cost to do a rebuild......?? There are a lot of nice crate motors out there for sure
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Woodstock GA
Re: L48 toast? Need advice! (Alwyn678)
I have a guy at American Automotive (literally right down the street from me) looking at it now. I tried to take it to the place you recommended on Hwy 140, but he apparently didn't want the work.
Do you know of a good place around here that will either rebuild it or drop in a crate? Any suggestions on where to find a crate motor locally? I am looking at some at http://rebuiltcarengines.com that have some 350 blocks for around $1,300 - $1,500.
Thanks for your help,
Greg
Do you know of a good place around here that will either rebuild it or drop in a crate? Any suggestions on where to find a crate motor locally? I am looking at some at http://rebuiltcarengines.com that have some 350 blocks for around $1,300 - $1,500.
Thanks for your help,
Greg
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 1
From: Mt Juliet TN
Re: L48 toast? Need advice! (Captain_Kaboom)
http://www.JasperEngines.com has a reman 300hp short block for just under 2k. Actually for an extra $100 they picked up my short block and rebuilt it at there factory being careful with the casting numbers. But they don't install it. I had to pull it and reinstall it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 6
From: lancaster ma
Re: L48 toast? Need advice! (Captain_Kaboom)
Why mess around with the 70s technology engine. Put in a ZZ4. It has almost twice the power of your L48 and is made to run on what passes for gasoline these days.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Woodstock GA
Re: L48 toast? Need advice! (adamdinat)
ZZ4 is more money than I think I want to spend. Granted, that is some nice power, but I don't want to throw in a tranny cooler, new radiator, etc. in there as well.
Yeah, the guy recommended Jasper as well. They don't install blocks? Yikes, who am I going to get to yank out this paperweight and plop that new block in?
Yeah, the guy recommended Jasper as well. They don't install blocks? Yikes, who am I going to get to yank out this paperweight and plop that new block in?
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,844
Likes: 0
From: Pearland TX
St. Jude Contributor
Re: L48 toast? Need advice! (Captain_Kaboom)
Captain....
Do you know anything about the internal works of a SBC? If so, rip into it and see what you are working with. If you have some decent knowledge of these engines and you are set to have it replaced/rebuilt anyway, take the intake, heads & pan off the motor to see what you really have. Any good mechanic is not going to penalize you if you carefully mark all parts/lines that are dissassembled. I'm sure many of us can walk you through it. A set of internal/external dial calipers is all that is needed after you get that far.
Just food for thought... you won't ever know if you don't have first hand knowledge.
Do you know anything about the internal works of a SBC? If so, rip into it and see what you are working with. If you have some decent knowledge of these engines and you are set to have it replaced/rebuilt anyway, take the intake, heads & pan off the motor to see what you really have. Any good mechanic is not going to penalize you if you carefully mark all parts/lines that are dissassembled. I'm sure many of us can walk you through it. A set of internal/external dial calipers is all that is needed after you get that far.
Just food for thought... you won't ever know if you don't have first hand knowledge.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
Likes: 155
From: Thomson Georgia
Re: L48 toast? Need advice! (Captain_Kaboom)
Did you talk with Jerry Eller ....He has built three cars on the forum...Tell him Al told you to call....If he can't help you he may have suggestions......
678-893-0845 :cheers:
678-893-0845 :cheers:
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 393
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From: texas city texas
Re: L48 toast? Need advice! (Captain_Kaboom)
Got an engine in my garage I got from Precision Engine out of Houston. I'm close so they delivered for free, but they do ship. 350 four bolt main, 9.5 to 1 federal mogul hypereutectic pistons. Speed pro moly rings. Speed pro cam duel pattern cam. Ported chevy heads with 2.02 and 1.60 stainless valves. $1365 after tax. Will change cam around for you, and for 100 dollars more will put screw in studs and guide plates. For that price, I got to keep my engine too in case I ever want to go back with the numbers matching block. Desk top dyno sheet supplied showing 327hp at 5500rpm, before I upgraded the cam. They say I should get 350hp. They will do more headwork for a little more money. They stock this engine for $1200. I paid 62.50 for the cam upgrade. Am putting it in in December and will post results if you are interested. 1-800-275-7371. If interested, ask for Herb. Very friendly. Will do just about any combo of engine you want for the right money. Good luck. :cheers: PS He advertises this engine in the misc. of auto trader, sports car edition.
[Modified by mp77, 2:33 AM 11/19/2002]
[Modified by mp77, 2:33 AM 11/19/2002]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 792
Likes: 2
From: Norcross GA
Re: L48 toast? Need advice! (Captain_Kaboom)
Go talk to Dave Fain at Dave's American Performance Corvette Repair, 2101 Northlake Pkwy, Tucker, GA 30084. 770-934-7011. I've been in there a couple of times and he seems very knowledgeable. Don't Know about prices.
Another guy that specializes in Corvettes is Jim Watson at Performance Concepts, 1166 Webb Gin House Rd, Lawrenceville, GA 30245. I hear he is the Vette guru in Atlanta.
Bob
Another guy that specializes in Corvettes is Jim Watson at Performance Concepts, 1166 Webb Gin House Rd, Lawrenceville, GA 30245. I hear he is the Vette guru in Atlanta.
Bob
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,844
Likes: 0
From: Pearland TX
St. Jude Contributor
Re: L48 toast? Need advice! (mp77)
mp77...
At $1365 for that combination why even look at a crate motor? Bolt up your accessories.. intake, carb, waterpump, powersteering, ac, pulleys, etc go for it? Right? What kind of warranty did Precision offer? The online site only offered 12 months for those versions that were compression tested. Thoughts have also crossed my mind to pull this 195HP motor with 74,000 miles and put it on the side for more horsepower. It seems like the best way to go these days rather than mess with the original matching numbers motor.
At $1365 for that combination why even look at a crate motor? Bolt up your accessories.. intake, carb, waterpump, powersteering, ac, pulleys, etc go for it? Right? What kind of warranty did Precision offer? The online site only offered 12 months for those versions that were compression tested. Thoughts have also crossed my mind to pull this 195HP motor with 74,000 miles and put it on the side for more horsepower. It seems like the best way to go these days rather than mess with the original matching numbers motor.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
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CI-VIII Burnout Champ
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Re: L48 toast? Need advice! (bgrice)
yep -- go with one of the cheaper "crate" or rebuilt motors unless you want to spend about $4K
Racer
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
From: texas city texas
Re: L48 toast? Need advice! (bgrice)
mp77...
At $1365 for that combination why even look at a crate motor? Bolt up your accessories.. intake, carb, waterpump, powersteering, ac, pulleys, etc go for it? Right? What kind of warranty did Precision offer? The online site only offered 12 months for those versions that were compression tested. Thoughts have also crossed my mind to pull this 195HP motor with 74,000 miles and put it on the side for more horsepower. It seems like the best way to go these days rather than mess with the original matching numbers motor.
At $1365 for that combination why even look at a crate motor? Bolt up your accessories.. intake, carb, waterpump, powersteering, ac, pulleys, etc go for it? Right? What kind of warranty did Precision offer? The online site only offered 12 months for those versions that were compression tested. Thoughts have also crossed my mind to pull this 195HP motor with 74,000 miles and put it on the side for more horsepower. It seems like the best way to go these days rather than mess with the original matching numbers motor.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 10,073
Likes: 1
From: Toronto
Re: L48 toast? Need advice! (adamdinat)
Why mess around with the 70s technology engine. Put in a ZZ4. It has almost twice the power of your L48 and is made to run on what passes for gasoline these days.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,770
Likes: 3
From: St Louis MO
Re: L48 toast? Need advice! (Captain_Kaboom)
Roll your sleeves up and dig into that motor. Either rebuild it yourself or buy a replacement and install it yourself. The money you save on labor can be put into engine components and/or accesories. This ain't rocket science.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Re: L48 toast? Need advice! (Brettmc)
Roll your sleeves up and dig into that motor. Either rebuild it yourself or buy a replacement and install it yourself. The money you save on labor can be put into engine components and/or accesories. This ain't rocket science.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 10,896
Likes: 2
From: CO
Re: L48 toast? Need advice! (wcsinx)
Well if you were planning new cam,intake and heads then the bottom end wouldnt' be that much more. Just take it to a machineshop and have them rebuild the bottom end and then put your cam,intake and heads on.
You will get out only what you put in. Use nice parts, and get what you want. It may take a while but Im sure you will be pleased with the end result. :cheers:
You will get out only what you put in. Use nice parts, and get what you want. It may take a while but Im sure you will be pleased with the end result. :cheers:
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 488
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From: Woodstock GA
Re: L48 toast? Need advice! (81Vette_by_eric)
Well I can't afford to rebuild the block AND add all the goodies.
I don't really know how to build the block, or even how to get that hunk out of the car. But even if I decide to rebuild it with machining parts, and getting new pistions, rings, etc- I'm still going to spend almost as much as buying a rebuilt block. Having never done anything like this- and apparently FEELING the results of someone who did it incorrectly, I don't want to do this again anytime soon.
I tried to get Jerry Eller to look at it; drove by twice and left three messages, even spoke to the old skinny guy (Matt?) and left my info, but never heard back from Jerry so I gave up that route.
Is the L48 a two bolt main? No way a 4 bolt would fit?
Thanks!
I don't really know how to build the block, or even how to get that hunk out of the car. But even if I decide to rebuild it with machining parts, and getting new pistions, rings, etc- I'm still going to spend almost as much as buying a rebuilt block. Having never done anything like this- and apparently FEELING the results of someone who did it incorrectly, I don't want to do this again anytime soon.
I tried to get Jerry Eller to look at it; drove by twice and left three messages, even spoke to the old skinny guy (Matt?) and left my info, but never heard back from Jerry so I gave up that route.
Is the L48 a two bolt main? No way a 4 bolt would fit?
Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis, Missouri
Re: L48 toast? Need advice! (Captain_Kaboom)
Is the L48 a two bolt main? No way a 4 bolt would fit?
As far as "fit" goes, there is no external installation differences between a 2-bolt and 4-bolt block. It merely describes the number of bolts that hold the inner main bearing caps in place. A 2-bolt block can be converted into a 4-bolt block but there are plenty of 400+ HP 2 bolt blocks that have no problems with bearing cap walk, etc.