I bought a 95 lt1 (never saw it run) for my 59 impala build.. was told the motor had 70k on it.. i found mice got inside the number 1 cylinder so i took the heads off cleaned everything out.. cleaned all valves from carbon build up..

put heads back on and did a leakdown test.. i found all cylinders to leak 60% or moderate on the scale.. air is blowing past the rings.. valves are not leaking

anywho i was wondering if its worth having a shop re ring and hone this motor out or not.. i called a few places and some are willing to do it for around $300.. some are saying that they will not touch it because i needs to be bored out 30 thousands and the pistons need to be replaced....

what are your thoughts.???

 

I would let the shop atleast look at the block,for 300.00 to clean,hone,and new rings,a very good price..I have 8 stock pistons and rods from a 32,000 mile motor..if it turns out you need new stock pistons.pm me if interested.

 

You can't tell w/o inspecting the block if it needs just a hone and new rings or if it will need to be bored for new pistons. A little extra piston to wall clearance is not a big deal in most circumstances if you don't mind some piston slap when the motor is cold. So, in all likelihood you can get away with just a hone and new rings.

Rich

 

How wet or dry were the rings when you did the leakdown test? In other words, how many years did the engine sit before you tested it? Engines that sit for a long time usually need oil in the top side and spun over a few times before you get a normal seal again.

 

well the walls were dry.. and stupid me cleaned everything real nice with brake clean and forgot to oil them after..

i just oiled all the cylinder walls an hour ago.. i will do another test in the morning..

 

Spray them with WD-40 (iirc) and use a wrench and torque the crank over a few rotations... then re-test.

Look at it like this: 300 to fix the engine, or how much money thrown out the window when you sell it off and your without anything to wrench on?

 

Sounds like the engine was NOT set up to run. You should have oil in the crankcase and oil should have been pumped up till it got normal oil pressure and the crank rotated a right good number of rotations.

 

Well any updates?

 

no updates yet.. i think you are right though about the oil.. i totally did not think of it at all.. oh well

I took the heads off again today and lapped all the valves and installed new valve seals.. i used the feldpro ones form autozone... and i have to day that they are very hard to install i had to beat the crap out of them with a large socket and a hammer even after i oiled them..

so as soon as i get the heads on (this weekend) im going to get this motor installed in the car and then ill test it again after it runs

 

I would have to assume based on this comment that you don't think there is an issue with rings at all then.

I didn't want to say this earlier but, I have yet to see an engine with ring issues. Excluding the ones that were grenaded with nitrous.

Heard of a few Fords (sorry for using the F word) that screwed up the cylinders when the injectors got stuck. But that's pretty much it.

I don't know why so many want to blame rings for things first. Not talking about your situation. I see some looking at fouled plugs and the first thought they have is it must be the rings. Unbelievable.