In case you don't remember me from 4 years ago.

https://www.camaroz28.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=456876

Dropped it off with a guy in NJ who is supposed to be pretty well versed with LT1s, with the instructions of "just get the damn thing running right."

With work, a baby, and one on the way, plus a house that I'm remodeling, haven't had the time to sit and futz with it like I used to. So, had to resort to having someone else do the work for me.

A reminder of where the car was at before it started running like ***:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJSYyfamH2A


So far he's discovered that the fuel pump has died (again) over the last couple years. That really sucks. He put a new one in, got it to start up, headers still running red, and he said signs are pointing to a timing issue.

I'll keep you posted. Longest LT1 rebuild in history continues.

 

I think I've got about the same timeframe as you with my 383.

 

Dave - blast from the past! Glad to see you're still around.

 

Sounds like timing gears might be a tooth or two off.

 

Still around man! Still trying to get this hog going.

Stl94LT1 -- yeah it does sound like retarded timing. But, how possible is it for the new timing chain to jump teeth? Literally only had maybe 15-20 miles, and I was normal highway driving when it started running like ***.

 

IMHO, it's not possible for the timing chain to jump. It would have to have been installed wrong.

 

That's what I was thinking too.

 

when i first put my engine in, my manifolds would get red hot and car would run like ***. turns out my opti was fried.

 

Well guys, I think we are nearing the end of the road. I have a few different things to discuss...


First thing as mentioned was the fuel pump. Put a brand new dealer-installed pump in back in '02. Worked when I parked it a few years ago after not getting it to run right. Had a Racetronix to replace it anyways, but never got around to putting it in (thankfully). My guy had a new Lingenfelter setup sitting around, so he put that in, and got the car fired up again.
$600 installed.



Next up was a really bad air/vacuum leak. Still glowing headers, no throttle response. Suspected intake leaking. Checked a few things, Pulled the intake. Found that half the threads on both sides of the engine were either stripped, ripped out, or galled. Had them all helicoiled. Is it common to helicoil them on an aluminum head prior to installing?
$Unknown at this time.



Fixed the holes, had the intake on and off literally a few times trying to get it to seal up. Gasket showed that there was a leak out the top of the mating surface (carboned up, I assume because of the backfiring through the intake. Wasn't sealing right. Took it to the machine shop to get the lifter valley ends milled more so it could sit tighter. Still not sealing, I forget what thickness feeler gauge he said he could fit in the top. With double gaskets, sealed up, at least enough to drop the idle RPM from 2K back down under 1000.
$225 to cover the mill work.







Headers still glowing, still not running right, no throttle response. He checked out a few things, all signs pointed to timing. Optispark questionable. Decided "let's replace the Opti and go from there." Pulled the Opti out, and found this:





Note the amount of exposed thread behind the cam gear. and how short the dowel pin looks due to the gear being out so far. No, there was not any Loctite on the bolts.

Pushed the gear back to the cam, and this is how it looks. Full length pin, bolts backed all the way out until they came to a stop....





...Resting against the Opti. I can't imagine the optical sensor liked this too much.










Have a Dynspark Gen II Opti on the way. Got a deal on a used case/new internals one that they had, paid $400 shipped vs. $600, same warranty/coverage etc.

Dynaspark was ordered today, as well as new cam bolts, WP gaskets, and other required things to put the front back together.

Don't know how much all this is going to cost me yet in labor etc. It's been a fun ride though.

So, a couple more thousand dollars thrown at this thing, and it looks like we might be back in business again.

 

Where in NJ is this "shop" located?

 

The shop its at now is fine, finding these issues and fixing them.

Forgot mention, looks like the rear main seal is leaking too.

 

Opti should arrive within the next couple of days. I am going to be both relieved, and pissed the hell off if this fixes it. Glad to have it running again, but pissed the cam bolts came out and trashed the opti.

 

Update:
Dynaspark was a waste of time. 2 DOA's.
https://www.camaroz28.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=806898



I'm home.

[autostream]http://autostream.com/camaroz28/?page_type=firebirdplayerthumbnail&framepage=990&t ransactionid=1305572096-9624420453&posted_by=Dave88LX_www.camaroz28.com&yo utube_video_id=qmYhf5Undd8[/autostream]

 

My daughter approves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7266-VAOQt8


Quick ride down the block.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E63POOdxcuo