Even my old 422ci which was 12:1 was not as hard to turn over... could be a 1 in a million issue but nobody wants Russ to take a chance, it feels way too tight know what I mean? Like double the normal torque to turn the motor.

 

Was this checked prior to the engine going into the car? Just wondering whether it could be a problem in the transmission and not in the engine. Also, did Nick assemble the whole engine or just the shortblock? If not, is there too much pre-load on the valves? Are you sure that your rocker arms are not too tight? Just throwing out some ideas.

Brian

 

Is the blower on the car now? What about turning it over without the blower hooked up? I never tried to spin mine over by hand with the blower and everything hooked up to it.

On the old motor it would spin fairly easy as a long block but I could hardly spin it the first few times by hand to set the rockers. I do not remember it being hard for the car to turn over though. Its still a hyd. roller motor right? Rev kit?

Also is the starter shimm'd right so that its not pressing itself to hard against the flywheel?

Just tryin to throw some ideas out there.

I would get ahold of Nick on the phone though, and I'll see what he has to say on Thursday if you don't talk to him before that.

 

I think at least two of the reference cars for Russ are ZNine's car and ZBass28's car. I know at least one other well known LT1 guy has noticed this problem too, someone who went 9.29 back in the day.

 

9 second quarter mile times or no, I think it's time to pull that motor and see what exactly is going on there. Free-spinning the crank (no rods/pistons) will probably tell you alot.

-Mindgame

 

Mindgame, my point is that some of the most experienced LT1 guys in our area, who also happen to be a couple of the fastest ones too, think the motor needs to be pulled and cannot be run as it sits. External stuff has been checked.

 

John,
I read ya man.
I agree, the engine needs to be pulled and checked. Nutek has a good reputation but sometimes things get missed. Just keep us informed as to the findings, good to have guys who are willing to help out.

-Mindgame

 

We are definitely saying the same thing, I just wanted you to know that some older experienced guys were involved.

 

The shortblock and cam/timing chain was all done at nu-tek. I put the heads/intake and valvetrain on. Hydro roller with a rev kit.

Engine:
Cola Pro Series Lightweight crank
JE 9:1 pistons
eagle h rods
federal mogul chamfered bearings
oliver billet splayed caps
melling pump


Nu-tek called yesterday and left a message. Nick will be in the chicago area this weekend and hopefully he can stop by to see the car.

Im calling tomorrow to hopefully set something up.

Once again, appreciate everyones feedback. I have had the car looked at by people like Chris Sikora and the car just came from Jay Billingsleys shop. Everyone feels the shortblock has to come apart.

Hopefully things get taken care of...

Russ

 

Out of curiosity, what flywheel and starter are you using? When I finished my 396 rebuild, I used a LT4 starter on a Street Twin flywheel, and it cranked really hard (but would start). It sounded like there was a problem with the engine itself and the starter was straining to turn it over.

Luckily, I still had the tranny out and noticed that the starter gear was stuck in the out position (I had checked it before, that was the first time it had gotten stuck that way). Three shims later and it cranks and starts the way it should.

Just a thought, something you might want to check out.

 

Its a new factory starter and a JW "wheel" flexplate. I also used the old starter and had the same problems. The engine is very hard to turn over by hand, not just starting it.

I have talked to Nick and I should have the engine picked up this weekend, he will be in town here.

I already have it almost out.

Hopefully the problem is found and I get this car up and running. I plan to be at the N vs S shootout in May.

Russ

 

Did you check the clearance between the flexplate and the starter gear? Seems that there is an issue whenever anything other than a stock flywheel/flexplate and starter is used.

 

Sounds like main bearing clearence to me. Had a buddy of mine that built a 392 windsor, turned out the same way you described. Ended up being the bearing clearences were to tight. Anyhow good luck...

Jose

 

Any word yet?

I just picked mine up last thursday and everything is fine with it so far. Haven't started it up yet but so far so good. Hopefully starting it this weekend for the first time with out the blower for now.

I have no problems turning mine over, its a little tight but hell it is a solid roller so there is going to be some resistance with that big of a spring in it.

 

My engine was back at Nu-tek on sunday.

Just waiting for the "word"...

Ill post when we get the results!

Thanks

Russ