Buick 455 build...last one i swear

Well, it's been while since my last 455 ate itself within minutes of cam break in. Come to find out there were quite a few small metal pieces that found there way through the engines oil system and completely destroyed all the bearings. So, i finally took my spare block and had it machined at the same place i got my heads done.
Specs:
455 block .030 over
Cometic .080 head gaskets
TRW Forged Pistons
Reconditioned rods with ARP bolts
TA 288-96H cam installed straight up
New lifters/solid pushrods
67 rockers with new tips (passenger side modified to recieve oil directly into the shaft)
TA Timing cover with high volume water pump
TA SP1
Holley Carb
Stock Exhaust Manifolds


More to follow, still haven't decided if i want to go the nitrous route or follow through with the whole turbo thing.

 

awful thick head gasket there.

 

sp1 with manifolds?

 

Yeah, my original plan was to turbo it but even if if i go nitrous I'll be good with the 9.25:1 cr.

For now. If i go nitrous ill get some headers but if i go turbo im keeping the manifolds.

 

Some pics of my oil supply/balance lines.


Engine going in.

 

Go Jason Go!

 

NIce work. How do you mod the rear of the valve cover for the oil line to pass through with no leaks?

 

Please insulate the braided line where it passes through the cast iron...both places. The stainless braid is tough, but this is one place it pays to play it safe.

Devon

 

I'll take some pics once i have the valve cover on, but basically i found a grommet that fits perfect around the fitting and cut a hole in the valve cover. Only time will tell if it weeps oil.

Thanks, youre not kidding about how that braided stuff will wear through anything. I'm going to put wire cover around all of it, i just left that part bare to show what it was in the pics.

 

Finally someone with a 2004r and a Riv. Let us know how it holds up. I have a 700r4 in mine , i just wish they made a dual bell pattern 700. I broke my stock connecting rod after 10 yrs with similar engine. If you go nitro or turbo i would have to think u will need the sportsman rods.

 

I can't believe you are not going to buy a roller cam after that cam failure...

 

Jason

What happen during the breakin?

George

 

As best i could tell, there were some metal pieces (looked like shavings) that circulated through the oil galleys and destroyed all the bearings. I didn't think to clean the engine after i got it back from the machinist. I did this time, i brushed out the galleys and blew compressed air through every hole i could find.

 

SHE LIVES! Got everything bolted up and i gotta tell you...this was the easiest start up ever. Started first try and actually idled on her own! Had a couple of oil leaks from the valve covers...forgot to torque them down like an idiot but after i did that everything is great! I will say the rockers are REALLY loud. I think the new rocker tips (67 rockers) need worn in as they were really thick compared to the stock ones.

Now, just need to do some tuning. It's really lean driving around and i gotta say these exhaust manifolds are choking the heck out of the engine but that should be temporary. Once i get the tune straight and some miles on the motor ill decide where to go from there. I'll try to get a video up soon.

Also, the electric fans/shroud is blocking too much airflow at speed. it never got over 190 but as soon as i stop temp goes down to 180. I might go back to mechanical set up but we'll see.

 

Whoo hoo! :TU:

 

LOL, this freaking saga continues. I decided to finally take Lupita out for a proper drive up to my buddy house in Ramona. Drive started ok but as time went on, there was a loud exhaust leak type noise tha developed and i noticed the AFR went way lean. Okay, so i needed to tighten the exhaust bolts. Well, as it turns out the damn passenger side midpipe became disconnected from the manifold. Easy enough to fix i guess but after than my buddy sai dhe heard a weird noise in the engine bay. I took a listen an sure enough there was this weird flapping metal on metal sound, kinda like a fan blade hitting the shroud except i have electric fans and this noise is coming fro the engine bay. he said to check the starter clearance and as it turns out the flex plate was wearing a slight groove into the face of the starter. So, out comes the starter and with some careful grinding the problem is solved. Start it all back up and noise is still there so i climb under the car and listen and sure as **** i feel the oil pan and either the rods or counter weights are hitting the oil pan or coming in close enough contact to make the damn thing vibrate.

Sigh, so the engine will need to come out AGAIN so i can further modify the oil pan. Yay me.

 

Booooo! I know that feeling :spank:

Got my car running this weekend, and two "noises" have popped right out, one is the header collectors are leaking (I re-used the gaskets...) and the fan is tagging the shroud. I figured I'd share as misery loves company.


Have you tried manually turning the engine while under the car to listen for the "rubbing" sound up close to be sure sure it's not outside the oil pan? It's weird having the starter rub anything. I'd look extra close at the flexplate through the engine rotation.

 

I literally felt the pan with the engine running and felt the pan being hit/vibarating. I did look at the flexplate for straightness and it seemed fine, i think i may have had the starter slightly off center or something. Regardless, there at least a 1/8" of clearance now. i wish i powerful electro magnet to just pull the indented pan out without having to remove the engine. lol.

 

Might be worth it to look into using a stud welder on the pan if you have access to the area of concern. I know of folks who've done it in the past with good results.

Devon

 

Well guys, i don' know what to ****ing do. I got the engine out and when i drained the oil everything looked fine, no metal in it and none on the magnetic drain plug. The wear spot on the pan is as shown and i thought oh ok, no biggie, good thing i caught when i did. Well, apparently, it was enough. I go to clean the rest of the oil pan and BAM. Babbit every freaking where. Copper. I took off ONE rod cap and the bearing was wiped, not to copper, but still wiped. I'm sure its the mains and cam bearings that ate it.

I can't imagine that one little wear spot introduced enough material to **** up the engine like this in 45 miles but it did.? Now, i just dont care anymore. I've lost all motivation and quite honestly, im fed up. Bad thing is i have no car anymore. Both of them are down hard and my free ride is coming to end once my g/f gets back and needs her car again.