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Topic: Rebuilt Engine failure

in Forum: C3 Engines


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Rebuilt Engine failure (1/10)
 5/2/10 1:04pm
7643
Former Member

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, - Canada

Vette(s):
1976 Stingray matching numbers. Stock 350 rebuilt, comp cam, roller rockers, push rods, 2.02 valves, +.30 flat tops, frontend & suspension rebuilt Dec 08. Interior from firewall 90% July. New exhaust, Collector plates, Paint will have to wait...& wait.


Joined: 12/18/2008
Posts: 88

Wow, what a set back but also good timing I guess. Went for a short 50 mile jaunt in the 76’ the other day, before stripping down the interior again and putting my rebuilt radio from Greg at Turnswitch in along with a few other finishing touches for the interior. (Getting ready for drive to Bend) I am just about home and hear a slight rocker rattle in my engine, it goes away. (Completely rebuilt with a few goodies added last year, 2000 miles ago by a great shop) Called the shop next day and said I would bring it down and see if it does it again, about 10 miles to the shop. Checked it out Friday, fired it up idled good, sounded good, so off I went, got just about there and the rattling started and no power under load, idled it into the shop. Engine got real hot quickly. What had happened we figured was the intake manifold gasket failed slightly when I first heard it and then driving it down to the shop it heated up quickly and got sucked in and about 6 quarts of anti freeze along with some oil after a head gasket went, got burnt through the engine. Lots of damage happened quickly, rings look ok but will be replaced no damage to pistons, will re-bearing crank, new harmonic balancer etc. I never noticed the temp gauge go up but assume it did. Why am I telling this? At first it seemed like a timing issue and very minor. I have never heard of an intake gasket doing this before so it was something totally new to me and maybe to you as well. Like I said the engine was done by a great shop and they already have the engine out, totally stripped, washed and on the bench being rebuilt. They are covering the cost and told me it is the second engine they have seen do this, they have spoke to the gasket company about it as well but it is hard to identify quality of workmanship vs. materials so keep you posted. Hard not to be impressed by the quality and response of the shop. So I guess next weekend is now set for the remaining interior work, after a little test driveWink

Eric...
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Rebuilt Engine failure (2/10)
 5/2/10 1:57pm
RedwingvetteLifetime Member
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Waterford, MI - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Red coupe


Joined: 9/13/2002
Posts: 1735

Sorry to here you have issues. What a great shop, I wish more shops stood behind their work like this one.
Hope it gets finished quickly.


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Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans
Borgeson Steering box
 


Rebuilt Engine failure (3/10)
 5/2/10 2:03pm
suncountryLifetime Member
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Moses Lake, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 L48 4-spd, Mahogany Metalic exterior, Buckskin interior 350ci/350hp, 3rd owner, fiberglass spring, 255/50-16's Torq-Thrust II


Joined: 4/16/2005
Posts: 2134

Sorry to hear about the motor. Looks like you found yourself a great shop! Like you said, better now than on the way to Bend.
Rebuilt Engine failure (4/10)
 5/2/10 3:48pm
dskopp
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Oak Creek, WI - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops, Going to remain as Stock as possible. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vetts Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!!


Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1958

The Summer awaits you !!!

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Rebuilt Engine failure (5/10)
 5/2/10 4:14pm
Per4manceLifetime Member
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Morganville, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1971 350 270 hp roadster millivanilli red, black interior, white rag top, white hard top, I've had it 18 years and intend on giving it to my son for his 25th birthday(another 18 years from now)


Joined: 1/25/2009
Posts: 92

I am definitally impressed with the shop you chose to do your motor. They did exactly what I would have done if I still was in businness.There are not too many shops that put a already payed customer first. I think you made a great choice,and if you don't do your own work I would keep using them for all my repairs..........Bill  
Rebuilt Engine failure (6/10)
 5/2/10 4:37pm
KDADDY79
Former Member

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Dutchess County, NY - USA

Vette(s):
White '79 Corvette. It's a driver.


Joined: 8/27/2007
Posts: 2484

Too bad about the motor but it does us all some good to hear of a decent shop that is willing to stand behind what they took your money for. And let us know if any info. is learned about the gaskets.
Sounds like you should be in good shape for the trip to Bend.
Kevin
Rebuilt Engine failure (7/10)
 5/2/10 10:23pm
lukesvetteLifetime Member
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HOWELL, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.


Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812

That's a good shop. Unless you did something wrong, you'd expect them to stand by their work!! Hope all turns out good for you with the rebuild of the rebuild  Wink

Paul
Rebuilt Engine failure (8/10)
 5/2/10 10:47pm
7643
Former Member

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, - Canada

Vette(s):
1976 Stingray matching numbers. Stock 350 rebuilt, comp cam, roller rockers, push rods, 2.02 valves, +.30 flat tops, frontend & suspension rebuilt Dec 08. Interior from firewall 90% July. New exhaust, Collector plates, Paint will have to wait...& wait.


Joined: 12/18/2008
Posts: 88

 Has anyone else had or heard of this happening before. I did blame myself for driving it like that but it was such a slight noise at first and then everything checked out before I started it again, when I heard it again it was to late. When I called the shop they also thought it was either a timing or fuel problem, hence drive it down to the shop. I am very happy/lucky with the work they do and their commitment to it.
Eric...
Rebuilt Engine failure (9/10)
 5/3/10 8:06am
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126

I've never heard of an intake gasket failure causing that problem, but anything is possible these days. My guess would be the head gasket failed first. I have seen intake gaskets that didn't seal well, and would suck oil into the chambers, as well as create vacuum leaks, and coolant leaks.
If they are certain it had an intake gasket failure, I would certainly make sure the heads, AND the intake itself were flat on the surfaces where they mate up.
It's definitely good to hear they will stand behind their work, and make it right for ya...not a lot of that goin on these days.


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Rebuilt Engine failure (10/10)
 5/4/10 1:23am
tb2k82ceLifetime Member
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Lemon Grove, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.


Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041

When you get all fixed up make sure you post the name and number of the shop. You are way north but who knows good shops need to be talked about with addresses and phone numbers recorded.
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