rod knock, replace or rebuild?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
rod knock, replace or rebuild?
So I just bought a 98 c5 manual and looked over it and everything checked out. Half way back to San Antonio it started to knock, not good. I get home and found the sound coming from number 6 cylinder. So off comes the head and I discover the piston is lightly tapping the head. So should I rebuild or replace? This was supposed to be my daily driver as my truck is down at the moment. If I rebuild does anyone know of a decent priced reputable machine shop?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 46
From: Springfield IL.
Oldtimer
So I just bought a 98 c5 manual and looked over it and everything checked out. Half way back to San Antonio it started to knock, not good. I get home and found the sound coming from number 6 cylinder. So off comes the head and I discover the piston is lightly tapping the head. So should I rebuild or replace? This was supposed to be my daily driver as my truck is down at the moment. If I rebuild does anyone know of a decent priced reputable machine shop?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,245
Likes: 25
From: Blue Ridge Georgia
I would be super pissed at the seller. When I bought mine I didn't realize it had a bad 5th gear synchro. I never called the seller even though I knew he had to of known. I ended up with a new clutch, pressure plate, trans and TT bushings. Cost was about 6 grand, I did question myself if I had made a bad choice. In the end I was OK with it. I really liked my Z and have a new clutch and trans to start off with. But that's not as bad as replacing the motor.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 46
From: Springfield IL.
Oldtimer
Don't skimp on it. Do a complete rebuild on it so you can have many more miles knowing what you have. Be interesting to see the bearing that comes out of that cyc. It's a shame that happened right after you purchased it, but if you go with a used engine the same thing could happen again real soon. If it's a DD don't go too wild on the cam. I've done that before and was sorry.
I've never seen a piston hit the head like that because of a bearing, but I've never has a LS1 apart. I've worked on a ton of sbc though.
I've never seen a piston hit the head like that because of a bearing, but I've never has a LS1 apart. I've worked on a ton of sbc though.
Last edited by 92GA; Apr 12, 2015 at 04:54 PM.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
It was a bad rod bearing, I only had enough for a stock rebuild. Heads shaved .010 to clean up. She's up and running again and it's fun! I already want more power. After i got it running I started fixing the rest of the car. Head light motor, seat rock, coolant expansion tank, ac compressor, abs bleed, water pump, all idler and tensioner pulleys, e-brake adjustment, blower motor. It's the things that count.
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