| RE:[1992 LT1/MN6] My Engine is dying... |
Subject: RE:[1992 LT1/MN6] My Engine is dying... by bogus on 2007/10/27 1:50:24 Casey - Here in lies the rub... GM has been building their crate engines south of the boarder for the last several years. Mexico to be exact. I have heard nightmarish stories of metalurgical failures from these engines. At the same time, I have heard there has been improvement... there had to be. Here in lies the other rub - I just checked both Superior Chevy and Skoggins-Dickey - NEITHER offer a GMPP LTx motor of any kind off their website. That's nuts. Some site called www.crateenginedepot.com wants $4000 for an LT1!!! Golan wants $4300 for their mildly tuned LT1. 360hp/402tq. Summit doesn't even LIST a catagory for LTx crate engines... they show Gen I and then skip to Gen III... leaving me in the dust. In short, my options are limited. If I do the hotcam kit, it includes cam, roller rockers, springs and retainers. I know the heads aren't perfect, but gee, I won't miss the 15 hp that porting them would give, and also, I can do some mild match porting - you know, clean up the heads and intake at the junction. I understand your concerns, Casey... But I feel the used motor isn't a concern. It's like this - if used motors were so very bad, there wouldn't be a market for them. It's that simple. Right now, Mr Mojo is driving on one... as are countless others. I spoke to Jason today, via email. I asked three questions: 1. Did the engine ever run for you? yes the engine ran excellent when it arrived. 2. Do you have reason to believe it was thrashed? no 3. What kinda warrantee? 90 days on motors less freight In reference to #2, I don't feel Jason would have bought it if it was thrashed... you can hear bearing issues... things like that. It seems reasonable. If I must, I will skip the hotcam and stay stock... It isn't that important, but if I can, with the motor out, I will do the hotcam. As long as it doesn't need a full clutch kit. If I can get away with a new pilot bearing and a friction disc, I will! At the minimum, I am going to do the following: 1. Replace all gaskets and seals a. front timing cover seals. b. rear main seal. c. oil pan and oil filter housing gaskets. d. intake manifold gaskets. e. head gaskets. f. valve cover gaskets. 2. If I get the hot cam kit a. replace cam. b. replace rockers. c. replace valve springs. 3. Clutch a. Test DM - if it passes, great. Clean and use. If it fails, use it to match balance to the Fidenza I already have. b. Replace friction disc, my pressure plate has only 40k on it and should be good to go. c. new pilot bushing/bearing. |
