As some of you are aware, the engine I rebuilt in bastet44s 87 last year died.

Last June, she was driving out to Riverside, and about 1/2 way out there, the serp belt rolled off the waterpump pulley... It took her nearly 10 minutes to get off the freeway safely - from 70mph on the #1 (fast) lane to a parking lot.

(It was later determined, by Agent86, who I gave the waterpump too, a Milodon aluminum unit, that the pulley boss was pressed on about 1/4" too close to the engine!)

I would rather her be safe...

however, this overheating condition cooked the oil. That lead to a slow bearing failure. By August, the oil pressure was dropping... and by September, they were dropped... under 10 PSI at idle.

In October, I did an oil change, found metal in the oil... metal in the filter... dropped the pan... metal there, too... removed #2 main cap, bearing toasted.

That lead to a long thought process, add in a dying 700R4, I decided to upgrade.

That leads to the update!

As of yesterday, a nice, 60k mile LT1 from a 1996 Vette, with 4L60E, are on their way! The truck should be there Monday or Tuesday.

The car in question was apparently a 1 owner Polo Green/Tan beauty. The car was SO well cared for... so much so, I bought the seats and carpet!

A big thanks to Jason at Vette2Vette for thinking of me on this one. I made a request back in March, and it took nearly 2 months to find a drivetrain for this project.

He is sending me the engine, transmission, harnessing, PCM, AIR, Accessories, AC lines, PS lines, fans and exhaust hangers. It will also have it's cats on it, but only as support for the engine.

Another big thanks to Dino at Corvette Salvage... he worked like a dog to find me a good engine, but all he could get were flood cars, and he wasn't comfortable sending me such an engine.

If you are all curious, the engine package is about $3100, with packaging. Bastet44s dad is picking up the shipping for us!

As of about 2:30PM PDT, the engine (short block) is out. I will get the transmission in the morning. Then the steering rack comes out and I will start stripping down the front suspension.

I need to get a new rack, some new shocks and do the brakes. I also wanna get bushings.

That's where things are!

When this is all done, it will be seriously restored, at least mechanically.

Most importantly, I have to thank this forum for giving me the knowledge to make this swap possible. If not for nearly 6 years of shared experiences, I would not have the mental tools to make this happen.

 

Good luck with the project

 

Best of luck, Andy!

 

Take lots of pictures and show us all the steps! I have 150k on mine and eventually I'll be doing the same thing as you.

 

Good luck, keep us posted and with your attention to detail you could make some tech tips for everyone else. I always enjoy your posts.

 

Hey, it's about time! Give me a hollar if you need any help.

 

I wonder if theres going to be any problems with the electrical hook ups. There are after market kits to simplify an upgrade.

The after-market water pump lead to the failure of a engine?
Personally I'm huge skeptic of after market parts. I rarely use them they only complicate repairs.

Why would you go to all of that trouble for a $5,000 car?
Was that car wore out when you got to it?

I would have sold it and moved on, but good luck, and I hope it works out for you. It should be interesting.

 

Howdy Bogus.

Cant wait for pics. You going to do any mods to the LT1? Headers, Port/Polish? No better time than when the engine is on a stand.

You hang around OT anymore?

 

OT? not so much... I OD'd on OT.

Mods? Na... This is getting the car back to better than stock for the Mrs. I don't wanna mess with it internally. I am going to replace the seals and clean it up. Do a complete tune up (new plugs/wires/waterpump) and that's about that.

 

my, mr warm and fuzzy...

to start with, when I rebuilt the engine the first time, I had this dilusion it would last more than 6 months...

It still makes more financial sense to reclaim this than replace it. To start with, the car was a gift from her dad, so it does have sentimental value, second, no car payments. I was out of work for a long time, and the last thing we need is a car payment.

We made the decision a long time ago to spend some cash on this car, versus selling and upgrading. We could spend the money as we had it, instead of being stuck with a 5 year note, and could make it the way WE wanted it to be.

Wiring really isn't much of a problem. You see, the PCM can be programmed to run independantly of the CCM and EBCM, problem one, fixed. The engine sensors are duplicated, or, sent to the IP via the ECM, no biggie their.

I am getting a full engine harness, and intend on building a piggy back harness to wire up the IP and the ALDL. I do need to get an OBDII ALDL plug.

Last month, I bought a very nice Accel crimper, so I am about ready... I have a couple of catalogs for connectors, so I have most of what I need ready to roll. I will need to place a connector order here shortly.

 

I suspect when I am ready to put the engine back in, you more then likely will hear from me!

 

If Im not working, Ill hold the detonator again.

 

See you in a few minutes kid!

 

Latest Update:

The tranny is OUT!

 

NO!!!!!!!!!!! Not the dreaded detonator!!!!!!!!! Anything but that!!!!!!!

 

Sounds like you got it all planned out. Nothing beats a well thought out plan.

I prefer the L98, but the LT1 would likely be more reliable. Going to keep the ASR? I dont see that being feasable.

You should drop by OT sometime.

Didnt you, wireless and scoob used to chop eachothers av's?

I know at one point I recall all 3 of you had a bucky av..

I left for a year and came back this January..wondered if you might have left CF alltogether.

:

 

I can see it now. Both of the Vettes lined up side-by-side on a country road. This signal is given and the wife's better reaction time (and newer engine) kick in and she smokes the ol' man!
I would LOVE to see that video!

 

 

I am not a fan of the L98. I think its tech is now way old school. Gimmie the LT1 anyday.

ASR? No way... that is just way to complex... 2 computers, countless sensors... yuck.

I have been lurking out there again...

Yea, we didn't chop so much as use similar... it sure confused the hell outta OT for a few weeks.

 

Didnt wireless have "The anti-scoob" av? or was that you? The one with the star i nthe back and red eyes...

Yall confused everyone for a while, seeing as most people associate avatars to the posters...you get 3 people using similar av's it gets a little wierd fast.


The LT1 is nice, but its too technical to me. The newest LT1 is 10 years old already, with all the added electronics to fail...Its could be more work in the long run.

The L98 has the low end torque, great for Daily Driving. Of course the ultimate is the LT5...
Id like to pull my 350, and have it stroked and bored to a 383..but it seems like after someone does this, they end up with a money pit...

How bad was the old engine? Did it spin the bearing, or just overheat it? Was there metal damage elsewhere?