"Courtesy Question:" could anybody actually be interested in buying STG-2 448 engine?

Re: "Courtesy Question:" could anybody actually be interested in buying STG-2 448 eng

The only thrust bearing issue I've seen on a BBB was due to a cracked main web. Believe it or not but it was tough to spot right away until all the oil ran off the surface. Oil pressure was fine until any rpm increase then it would drop. I'm assuming at that time the crank moved forward and restricted oil flow, end play was 0.1" and it drove to my house this way (~20 miles). If your engine shows similar behavior, I'd look there first.

 

Re: "Courtesy Question:" could anybody actually be interested in buying STG-2 448 eng

In this case it was, I originally built the engine 10 years ago or so. The engine was competed hard and had about 10,000 street miles on it when the main web broke. We changed blocks, fixed the crank and are still using the same torque converter. All I'm saying it's worth a check.

 

Re: "Courtesy Question:" could anybody actually be interested in buying STG-2 448 eng

Its either a ballooned converter or converter wasnt seated in the trans properly. I bet the trans is hurt too.

 

Re: "Courtesy Question:" could anybody actually be interested in buying STG-2 448 eng

I've heard of drag week guys in a rush sticking a driveshaft into a car, where when the axle is hanging fits, but then bottoms out the yoke on the output shaft when the suspension is compressed, supposedly took out the trans and thrust bearing. Of course, in a rush, there could off been multiple failure points too.

I threw it out there as something too look at. If the shop or such took it as gospel that the ST300 (or what ever the OE trans was) and the 2004-r were the same length and stuck the stock or stock length driveshaft in, but yet either the engine was set back a bit further than stock, or the transmissions were not the same length, etc, and suddenly the yoke is bottoming out. It's worth a five second look at minimum when back together.

 

Re: "Courtesy Question:" could anybody actually be interested in buying STG-2 448 eng

Can't argue any of those points, just what I was told (and it wasn't a 2004-r trans) :beer And the way you describe it, maybe I simply mis-interpreted what failed. I may have assumed engine thrust.

 

Re: "Courtesy Question:" could anybody actually be interested in buying STG-2 448 eng

I've never bought the driveshaft theory either. The yoke always bottoms out on the tailshaft housing before the output shaft gets pushed in.

 

Tranny definitely needs a complete inspection. (Was: "Courtesy Question:" )

Dear V-8 Buick drive-train troubleshooters,

Thanks for all your thoughts and suggestions.

As soon as Mike found the bearing that failed, he immediately recommended that I have the 200-4R transmission gone-through to see if it has anything to do with engine failure. At the moment we just cannot say. I would prefer to avoid taking of this transmission inspection until it is time to but the car back together. The problem is that Biquette is stuck in my garage without any power obviously. So I would have to have the car transported to someplace were the transmission could be removed and then transported back. Never mind the expense, Biquette is now very high in the front without the weight of the engine. As you may remember, she now has hitch receiver that is quite low even when the car is level. With the front of the car much higher than the rear, getting Biquette onto a flatbed transport truck is a real misery. The tow-truck driver who unloaded Biquette back in May was "barely" better than a gorilla, and it was a real struggle to get her off the truck and onto our sloped driveway. You betcha' the odds were stacked against my poor car once more. So definitely the transmission will be inspected, but I want to transport her from the house - once!

Cheers, Edouard

 

Re: "Courtesy Question:" could anybody actually be interested in buying STG-2 448 eng

I am no expert and do not claim to be on towing or what the problem is with your car as a whole (engine, or trans or in between, wherever the problem may reside at). Looking and reading thru all 3 threads about your car and motor, I appreciate your love of the station wagon and the idea of towing with it. I have no doubt that the motor you had built is perfect for the mpg that you want along with it being able to tow a trailer. However you want the mpg's while towing also. With any truck new or old when driving the open road with no trailer you will get your usual mpg's but when you add weight and the trailer your mpg's are going to go down. How much will depend on how much weight and the road. My 1/2 ton truck gets 18mpg with daily driving however when I hook up to my open 18ft trailer and strap down the car properly ( I am not implying that sometimes I do not strap it down properly. I will stop after 5 miles down the road or less to double check everything to make sure nothing came off or apart) I will drop down to 13mpg.
I have also toyed with the idea and have done much research on "upgrading" my truck to a 1951-53 Studebaker pickup. (Wife needs a vehicle and my truck is to big for her). Upgrading this truck to do tow duties as well. I like the idea of pulling up to a car show with an old truck towing a trailer with a car on it. Why because I can. But in my research just adding a hitch does not make a truck be able to tow safely. An engine with enough power and torque ( even trucks from the 70's with low horse and torque could pull a trailer) a trans cooler because that trans is working harder than normal with all the shifting, proper cooling for the motor, the right rear gears, the rear suspension, and the proper brakes for the vehicle that is towing the trailer.
In my research I have come up with a 425 nailhead, o/d trans, proper cooling, 12 bolt with 3.73 gears, power disc all the way around, and still working on ideas for suspension, and might have to build a stronger frame.
Reading your car upgrades, you had a good motor, trans, and the proper cooling. You need to looking into your braking system on the car and the suspension, front is just as important as the rear. I think you will still have problems thinking that you will be able to tow a 24 foot airstream trailer. And yes I know they are a "lighter" trailer. Good luck with your car, hopefully you get everything worked out, and make sure you do all the proper upgrades before you purchase said trailer.