Why I'll Never Use Stock Rods Again!!!!

Where do I start, I put this newly built engine in about 2months ago and I put about 3 to 4 100 miles on it. It ran great and had plenty of power on the street. I decided it was time for the 1/4 mile and brought it up to my local track. I had made 2 passes and went 11.80's in about 100 degree temps. It was time for elimanations so I dialed 11.83. I came out of the hole great 1600 60' at about 1000' mark all hell broke lose, Needless to say I had engine trouble with oil coming out from the back of the motor. I attached some pics of what happened. Just my 2cents worth spend the extra money and get decent rods. I'm not knocking anyone who uses the stock stuff as I know of lots of great builds with the stock rods and have witnessed excellent times at the track.

 

i would'nt blame the rod.looks like you had a bearing get hot and when this happens the rod expands,kinda explodeing the bearing area.a good rod would do the same.maybe alittle tight or clearance issue.what oil are you running?low on zink?? just my opinion.good luck on the rebuild.

 

Hey Larry, I just put it in drive and the shift points were set @ 5000. It blew @ 5500rpm..I've been using the valvaline 20/50 vr1. You might be right with the bearing but everything was so new?????

 

I loaned my 1980 chevy G20 van (400cid V8) to my drummer, and he blew it up on the freeway (couldn't read an oil pressure gage). Looks like my V8 when I got it out.

My cam was busted into 3 pieces rather than 4. Rods 3 & 4 went boom.

 

Is the block damaged or can it be rebuilt?

 

tried calling you a couple times . have that 73 ore block and crank come and get it .

 

I agree with Dan - don't be too quick to blame the rod. That is more likely the result and not the cause..

Larry, didn't your engine make metal on the dyno? Were the rods damaged too?

 

You can't be serious.

 

I just noticed the lifter bore. I didn't look close enough at all the pictures.

 

Agree with Dan also.
The most obvious problem I see is that you are running 11.80's with a stock pan and without a baffle installed. Oil control is critical on these Buick engines. Just imagine .... when you launch the car the 3 1/2 quarts (at the most) that are left in the sump of the oil pan are now covering the rear of the pan and the back of the block, UNCOVERING the oil pickup screen. When that happens you suck air and for a brief moment..... no oil pressure. Do this enough times and you will fry a bearing.
When you build a new engine, please buy or modify a pan to hold a little more oil and be sure it has baffles to keep the oil covering the pickup. These are basics that a lot of people seem to over look.

Hope this helps on the next one!!

Steve

 

I had a similar sad story with the last 4.1 turbo motor I built for my GN. I spent too much money not to go that little bit extra and it cost me $$$$$.

 

I'm sorry for what happened but there was two flaws here, #1.) The Rods was not beamed or polished, #2.)I agree with bearing clearance's... Was this set up supposed to be balanced? Beside's running 11.80's on bone stock non touched rods was kind of risky don't you think? I have seen in here though of stock rods beamed and polished run some pretty damn good numbers. I'll be talkin at your engine builder or engine machinist, which ever you had done.

 

I agree with this 100%

 

Those are forged rods and they were not the problem IMHO. My guess is oil starvation. I will be interested in the final verdict. Sorry about your engine.

 

I'm with the others regarding oil. I modified my stock center sump pan by deepening and adding front/rear baffles and use a Moroso three quart accumulator; wouldn't dream of running with any less due to being forced to sort out to my own rod bearing oiling issues in the past. I still use a bright Autometer oil pressure warning light to play it safe. 6000 rpm frequently on stock balanced & polished rods w/ARP bolts, occasionally 6500.

Devon

 

I believe your clearences are too tight. Do you know what they are?

 

My bad - I went back and read the thread and JW said it was a main bearing that was failing.

Ozzy - like Steve mentioned, once you reach a certain level, stock oiling won't do. Proper machine work becomes ultra-critical too by someone who knows Buicks or that is willing to listen. Sorry for your loss.

 

Sorry about your motor, now I know why people were asking if I knew my car was blowing smoke on the top end of my last pass, I guess they had my car confused with yours
I do have a spare crankshaft fresh from the machine shop, if you need it or anything else let me know
Bryan