L98 reliability
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 750
Likes: 1
From: Branson MO
Re: L98 reliability (DSKRALL)
My 88 has 112K on it and counting. I have pretty well rebuilt the rest of the car, but have not had to touch engine internals. Still uses no oil. Don't know how others have done. :)
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,105
Likes: 2,511
From: ...tearing up the highways, one state at a time™®©
Re: L98 reliability (DSKRALL)
3 L98's here - one of them was at 145k when I removed it (Still pulled 13.0@109 - w/ some mods ;) ) Absolutely NO issues :flag
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
Likes: 12
From: OBAMA IS HITLER
Re: L98 reliability (*89x2*)
3 L98's here - one of them was at 145k when I removed it (Still pulled 13.0@109 - w/ some mods ;) ) Absolutely NO issues :flag
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,441
Likes: 421
From: Ventura County, CA
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '24
Re: L98 reliability (1Patriot)
157k and running good. Had to rebuild the transmission at around 148k. She still hits the track about once every month or two and gets driven daily as long as the weather aint bad :U Has no oil issues as well :cheers:
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Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 27,818
Likes: 8
From: CT
L98 reliability
I have to say, I am more than pleased with how reliable my L98 is even with the Lingenfelter 383. Nearly 46,000 miles on the engine and it has never let me down or left me stranded. Daily driven also.
:thumbs:
:thumbs:
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
From: Palm City FL
Re: L98 reliability (DSKRALL)
An L98 is still a basic 350 chevy. The most popular and I beleive the longest production motor ever produced.
It is also the cheapest motor to build... As long as its not in a Corvette!
It is also the cheapest motor to build... As long as its not in a Corvette!
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 506
Likes: 12
From: Savannah GA
Re: L98 reliability (RedRiderZR1)
215K on my 87 automatic Z-51. Engine, trans and rear still orginal. Engine puts out it's puff of smoke 1st thing in the morning. Doesn't use a 1/2 a quart of oil between changes. Water pump changed @90K miles.
Suspension will wear out long before the engine. I've replaced wheel bearings, u-joints and steering rack, oh, and brake rotors in the front.
JS
Suspension will wear out long before the engine. I've replaced wheel bearings, u-joints and steering rack, oh, and brake rotors in the front.
JS
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 81
Likes: 1
From: Byfield MA
Re: L98 reliability (DSKRALL)
My 85 has 93K and puffs a little smoke at start up. I just got it this June, so I'm not quite sure of the cars history yet. Has 3:07 gears and is a 4+3 standard. It runs real strong, idles quiet, no engine noises. You can't kill those Chevy small block engines. :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,700
Likes: 3
From: Lebanon KY
Re: L98 reliability (DSKRALL)
mine had a 113,000 and was runnin real good. didn't burn a drop of oil. but due to the cold air intake and water crossing the road, i hydro-locked it and had to rebuild it due to a bent rod and some serious knocking. hopefully it will last another couple hundred thousand before i'll have to worry about it again :smash:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,531
Likes: 35
From: Lecanto Florida
Re: L98 reliability (aj1988)
127,000 +. Other things are starting to go, but the engine runs great and doesn't use oil. What more can you ask for?
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 322
Likes: 1
From: Manchester TN
Re: L98 reliability (DSKRALL)
Keep the oil changed and the coolant in good shape and it should last over 200,000 miles with no problem.
I had to change head gaskets at around 130,000 miles because I had fan problems and let it get hot.
I did a complete rebuild at around 193,000 miles. It only needed head gaskets again but I decide to completely rebuild it while I was at it (I didn't maintain the coolant and it started to leave a build up on the head ports leaving very small holes for the coolant to pass). So basically, the only trouble I have had was because of mistakes I made. Life leason learned, I hope.
I had to change head gaskets at around 130,000 miles because I had fan problems and let it get hot.
I did a complete rebuild at around 193,000 miles. It only needed head gaskets again but I decide to completely rebuild it while I was at it (I didn't maintain the coolant and it started to leave a build up on the head ports leaving very small holes for the coolant to pass). So basically, the only trouble I have had was because of mistakes I made. Life leason learned, I hope.