Opinions needed ASAP!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: NC
Opinions needed ASAP!
Recently I paid a notable shop (I will leave the name out on purpose) to install an LT1 that was stroked. Now upon getting the car one of my rocker arms is 65 degrees sideways. The metal on the rocker has been shaved down pretty well along with the valve tip. Thank god it didn't fall in the motor. Anyway would replacing the cylinder be an viable fix?
The motor was stroked and had pretty good HP and Torque. The motor has about 200 miles on it.
Please reply here and certain information will only be sent as pm's. I don't want to bash the guy on this forum as I jsut want opinions now.
The motor was stroked and had pretty good HP and Torque. The motor has about 200 miles on it.
Please reply here and certain information will only be sent as pm's. I don't want to bash the guy on this forum as I jsut want opinions now.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
You can remove the head and replace the valve. You can also get single replacement rockers. I would be worried about metal in the oil pan though.
It sounds like he either tried to run non self aligning rockers without guideplates, or he set the valve lash entirely too loose, or he didn't properly lock the polylocks.
It sounds like he either tried to run non self aligning rockers without guideplates, or he set the valve lash entirely too loose, or he didn't properly lock the polylocks.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Assuming the shop built the engine, was a warranty offered? If so, were there requirements you had to meet such as staying within a certain RPM range, oil change by a certain mileage/time. You mentioned the shop "installed" a stroker motor. Did you mean to say "built and installed"? Did you specify any specific parts by brand or design to be used in the build?
What was going on when the rocker arm slipped? Were you driving at a reasonable pace? Leaning on a new motor? Simply idling and something started to make ugly noises?
With the valve tip being damaged, the head will have to come off. At that time, it would be a good idea to be there during teardown and demand that the builder show you the condition of all the other valves, rocker arms, and the pushrods.
What was going on when the rocker arm slipped? Were you driving at a reasonable pace? Leaning on a new motor? Simply idling and something started to make ugly noises?
With the valve tip being damaged, the head will have to come off. At that time, it would be a good idea to be there during teardown and demand that the builder show you the condition of all the other valves, rocker arms, and the pushrods.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: NC
Okay, the motor was built and installed by the shop. The problem is with motors like these they say there is no warranty. I think is BS because I wasn't on the track or anything like that just simply driving it. Of course I got on it every one and awhile but nothing severe.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 286
From: Puyallup Washington
If you knew there was no warranty before the work was done then you should have no complaint. If they did not let you know there was no warranty until after the work was done then I think you have a valid complaint with the shop.
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Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
If I was gonna shell out the kind of money to build an engine I would want some kind of a guarantee that they had some idea what they were doing. If they only offered the "out of sight" warranty then I would build it myself.
But, it is what it is, can't change that now. It shouldn't be extremely costly to fix, just time consuming.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,711
Likes: 174
From: Chatham NY
St. Jude Donor '13, '15-'16,'18 thru '25
Unless it was a part that failed common sense says that it was a mistake by the builder especially less than 200 miles. And if they are a notable shop as you say good business sense says they would have to fix it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '12
I know of a couple of places that would have built the motor with no warranty - HOWEVER based on others experiences they would fix things like this. Example one guy had an l98 rebuilt, just a basic rebuild. He drove it for a while and it started making a valvetrain noise. Shop said "Bring it by and we'll take care of it". Sure enough they did take care of it.
THose are the kind of shops you should investigate using next time.
THose are the kind of shops you should investigate using next time.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Okay, the motor was built and installed by the shop. The problem is with motors like these they say there is no warranty. I think is BS because I wasn't on the track or anything like that just simply driving it. Of course I got on it every one and awhile but nothing severe.
Do you have any idea what parts were installed? Brand name stuff or eBay "specials"? What machine work was done? By who? It sounds like the one rocker may not have been properly tightened/adjusted or the lifter may have failed. Did a rocker arm stud fail?