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BADASS of New England
An automobile club for the enthusiast who enjoys the last of the big GM cars. The rear wheel drive B and D bodys. Chevrolet Impala SS, Caprice, 9C1, Buick Roadmaster, Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser, Cadillac Fleetwood
Posts : 2141 Join date : 2011-01-11 Age : 42 Location : Warren, MA
Subject: The Little LO3 That Could Sun Apr 28, 2013 6:07 am
Took my '79 c10 out for a little "joyride" Open headers and a 4 bolt main 350 connected to a super T-10... I was pulling the engine the next day.
I don't know exactly WHAT happened. But halfway up the hill coming back from getting some gas I lost all oil pressure and the thing starts knocking like a bastard, blue smoke pourin' off the back of her and an ominous feeling like I wasn't gonna make it home.
She stalls a few feet from the driveway and I pushed in the clutch and coasted into the driveway. I'm assuming wore bearings since when the engine cools down I get 40 psi oil pressure and no knocking.
Fortunately I had taken Anthony's LO3 from his laidlow91 caprice when he cut her up, Been sitting for a while but I was told it has less than or around 100k miles. It will have to do for now. Started swapping stuff over last week.
A few things for anyone out there planning on using a 87+ engine with centerbolt valve covers and a one piece rear main seal as a replacement engine and wants to convert to carburetor,
1. You will have to hog out the 4 center intake bolt holes on the carb intake to allow for those bolts to go in properly. (center bolt heads have bolts in center spots with almost 90* placement) you do not need spacers or anything (that I know of yet) Torque specs are: 10 ft lbs and then 35 ft lbs and the bolts tightened down fine against the intake.
2. If you run any kind of after market timing components (gear drive, double roller) you have to get them for a factory roller cam setup. Gen 1 engines with tappet cams don't have parts that interchange.
3. Flywheel (manual trans) for lo3 lo5 is available under 1991 chevy c1500 pickup truck if your running an 11" clutch I believe a 91 camaro will give a flywheel for a 10" clutch ( not sure but it's a different part number)
4. all pilot bearings should be the same part number 87-93.
5.you MUST use an electric fuel pump, the plate for mechanical pump can be removed, and the hole for the rod is still there, BUT there is no extra lobe on a roller cam to push the rod. (this one really pissed me off!!!!)
will post final results this week once I get it stuffed into the truck. Fingers crossed that it actually runs. Swapped the HEI over so I'm gonna reset timing to the old spec. Going with the v-belt system for now.
Pics:
Basically still in exact shape from when it was pulled from Ant's car.
He had dropped it on the oil pan (or something like that) and it had a hole in the oil pan just enough to let oil leak out, welded that up from both inside and outside.
Losing some weight, got fully degreased and painted
Ordered a gear drive set for a roller cam, it came in and I definitely got what I paid for. Cheap non fitting garbage. Had to do some slight "goon handing" but they are installed. Let's hope it doesn't explode in there!!
All new gaskets, pipe plugs to block off all unnecessary crapola, aluminum edelbrock intake installed with 650 cfm carb Almost ready to go (found a bunch of broken bolts stuck in the intake manifold. Working on re threading the thermostat housing bolt holes,
Installed the radiator and electric fans from Billy's DGGM caddy this weekend so hopefully that will work out. gotta get under the truck and pull out the x-member, trans, and exhaust,
MASShole9C1
Posts : 4294 Join date : 2009-12-16
Subject: Re: The Little LO3 That Could Sun Apr 28, 2013 7:26 pm
Good info!
All that would have driven me nuts as did you.
Post up results when you get ripping around town again.
1984twodoor
Posts : 4068 Join date : 2010-03-30 Age : 30 Location : Wilmington/Wakefield/Andover
Subject: Re: The Little LO3 That Could Sun Apr 28, 2013 8:58 pm
What was the gear drive you got to prevent anyone else with an '87 engine from getting the same one.
That blows about the fuel pump, I didn't want to have to go electric with mine... hmm.
Ironfistdog
Posts : 2141 Join date : 2011-01-11 Age : 42 Location : Warren, MA
Subject: Re: The Little LO3 That Could Sun Apr 28, 2013 9:54 pm
C.A.T. Racing or something like that. Someone said to boil the bottom gear first, but idk. I have 2 sets for pre 86 engines. one is procomp and went on like butter the other one was another CAT (I think, same package) and it had the same problem. I took the damper back off today and pounded it in some more (like 1/8") because the pulleys were not lined up, better now, but I'm still a little nervous. I hear one freaky thing (besides the whine) and I'm pulling them out.
I got a new mr gasket electric pump from my old man, so I saved there. Gotta find brass fittings for the in/out with barbs (rubber fuel lines) today. I also have to dig out my BIN-O-LT1 HARNESSES and find a factory electric fan connector.
Hoping to get this back into the truck today. I re-tapped all the holes in the intake that needed it installed the t-stat, and installed the motor mount plates and alternator today.
FYI if you ever have doubts about a thermostat hold it with a pair of pliers and LIGHTLY run a blow torch over the bottom of it side to side for a couple seconds. If it opens it's good. If not it's trash.
1984twodoor
Posts : 4068 Join date : 2010-03-30 Age : 30 Location : Wilmington/Wakefield/Andover
Subject: Re: The Little LO3 That Could Sun Apr 28, 2013 10:52 pm
Ironfistdog wrote:
C.A.T. Racing or something like that. Someone said to boil the bottom gear first, but idk. I have 2 sets for pre 86 engines. one is procomp and went on like butter the other one was another CAT (I think, same package) and it had the same problem. I took the damper back off today and pounded it in some more (like 1/8") because the pulleys were not lined up, better now, but I'm still a little nervous. I hear one freaky thing (besides the whine) and I'm pulling them out.
I got a new mr gasket electric pump from my old man, so I saved there. Gotta find brass fittings for the in/out with barbs (rubber fuel lines) today. I also have to dig out my BIN-O-LT1 HARNESSES and find a factory electric fan connector.
Hoping to get this back into the truck today. I re-tapped all the holes in the intake that needed it installed the t-stat, and installed the motor mount plates and alternator today.
FYI if you ever have doubts about a thermostat hold it with a pair of pliers and LIGHTLY run a blow torch over the bottom of it side to side for a couple seconds. If it opens it's good. If not it's trash.
Thanks for the info as I will be going gear driven!
Would a different cam spec'd out for a roller non-fuelie engine work with the mech. pump? Just a thought seeing as I want to swap the cam while I'm getting dirty with my 350
Oh, and I have a special pot for testing thermostats. My mom still doesn't know what happened to it....
Ironfistdog
Posts : 2141 Join date : 2011-01-11 Age : 42 Location : Warren, MA
Subject: Re: The Little LO3 That Could Sun Apr 28, 2013 11:25 pm
The mechanical pump is driven by the rod. The rod rides on an "extra" lobe at the very front of the cam. If the cam you are installing has it then you are good to go. The factory cam has no provision for the rod apparently.
Also while you have the cam out take a light and shine it down (or up) through that hole. I've heard that some blocks are cast with the opening but the hole doesn't go all the way through. Take a long screwdriver and clean it out. I found mine to be packed with sludge and grease. At first the rod wouldn't even go in.
toomanytoyz Club President
Posts : 6876 Join date : 2009-01-20 Age : 47 Location : East Hampstead, NH USA
Subject: Re: The Little LO3 That Could Sun Apr 28, 2013 11:35 pm
Looks like a lot of work. Looks great though!
So... why a carbed TBI 305 and not an injected LT1 that's almost free?
Ironfistdog
Posts : 2141 Join date : 2011-01-11 Age : 42 Location : Warren, MA
Subject: Re: The Little LO3 That Could Mon Apr 29, 2013 12:12 am
1) don't wanna swap gas tanks and fuel lines and figure out mounting 2) already have a nightmare of wiring since swapping the 67-72 dash don't need more 3) probably a bigger headache trying to make a t-10 work with an lt1 4) canT run old school flame throwers on the lt1 5) lt1 PCM (96 engine) would need to be tuned for no cats etc (on a budget with this) 6) no gear drive made for lt1 (not that's it's a huge deal breaker) 7) see #2 but add VSS and other various nickel and dime things that need adjusting/changing this was supposed to be an "easy" swap. Just hitting a few bumps.
It's actually going by cheaper and quicker than usual. I'm only working on the engine on my days off. Lt1 isn't out of the question just kit right this moment. I wanna enjoy it now not in a month ,
1984twodoor
Posts : 4068 Join date : 2010-03-30 Age : 30 Location : Wilmington/Wakefield/Andover
Subject: Re: The Little LO3 That Could Tue Apr 30, 2013 12:08 am
Ironfistdog wrote:
The mechanical pump is driven by the rod. The rod rides on an "extra" lobe at the very front of the cam. If the cam you are installing has it then you are good to go. The factory cam has no provision for the rod apparently.
Also while you have the cam out take a light and shine it down (or up) through that hole. I've heard that some blocks are cast with the opening but the hole doesn't go all the way through. Take a long screwdriver and clean it out. I found mine to be packed with sludge and grease. At first the rod wouldn't even go in.
I'm willing to bet that my 350 won't have it then as it was originally in a TPI IROC. I can only imagine how dirty my hole will be!
I guess a cam change is mandatory then!
MASShole9C1
Posts : 4294 Join date : 2009-12-16
Subject: Re: The Little LO3 That Could Tue Apr 30, 2013 12:35 am
1984twodoor wrote:
I can only imagine how dirty my hole will be!
Ummmmmmmm.....
.....what?!
GasTT
Posts : 2675 Join date : 2009-01-19 Age : 36 Location : Treasure Coast, FL
Subject: Re: The Little LO3 That Could Tue Apr 30, 2013 8:13 am
If your hole hasn't had a rod in it, it's probably pretty fudged up
MASShole9C1
Posts : 4294 Join date : 2009-12-16
Subject: Re: The Little LO3 That Could Tue Apr 30, 2013 8:27 am
sdstick
Posts : 4292 Join date : 2009-03-20 Location : Revere, MA
Subject: Re: The Little LO3 That Could Tue Apr 30, 2013 8:48 am
Azzed up another thread huh guys?
Wait...is that somehow ironic ???...
GasTT
Posts : 2675 Join date : 2009-01-19 Age : 36 Location : Treasure Coast, FL
Subject: Re: The Little LO3 That Could Tue Apr 30, 2013 9:29 am
I guess in this case we holed it up.....
toomanytoyz Club President
Posts : 6876 Join date : 2009-01-20 Age : 47 Location : East Hampstead, NH USA
Subject: Re: The Little LO3 That Could Tue Apr 30, 2013 10:07 am
Well, this thread's gone down the shitter...
Matt Trakker
Posts : 5093 Join date : 2009-07-30 Age : 42 Location : Reading, MA
Subject: Re: The Little LO3 That Could Tue Apr 30, 2013 11:31 am
After reading all this I realized that I needa have a shite!
Matt, here is an educational album you should buy:
1984twodoor
Posts : 4068 Join date : 2010-03-30 Age : 30 Location : Wilmington/Wakefield/Andover
Subject: Re: The Little LO3 That Could Tue Apr 30, 2013 7:31 pm
GasTT wrote:
I guess in this case we holed it up.....
Maybe we plugged it?
MASShole9C1
Posts : 4294 Join date : 2009-12-16
Subject: Re: The Little LO3 That Could Tue Apr 30, 2013 7:39 pm
Oh boy
phantom 309
Posts : 257 Join date : 2009-10-11 Age : 114 Location : in the gr8whtnorth
Subject: Re: The Little LO3 That Could Tue Apr 30, 2013 7:48 pm
Bummer,.
Ironfistdog
Posts : 2141 Join date : 2011-01-11 Age : 42 Location : Warren, MA
Subject: Re: The Little LO3 That Could Tue Apr 30, 2013 8:01 pm
I leave this thread for a day and Bevis and Butthead move in......
Hit a few snags with this "project" had the thing ready to mount clutch, pressure plate and bellhousing and realized the input shaft my old man gave me to use for alignment was a 10 spline and this clutch is a 26 spline. FAAAAAACK!
I said screw it I'll put a new clutch in since I'm going to the store to get a 26 spline alignment tool, WELL, apparently no one could find an 11" 26 spline clutch. No idea what the damn t-10 was out of!!
So after I yank the thing out and clean it down to get numbers I find it's out of an '82 f-body. Go back to get the part and NO ONE sells just a clutch disc, they sell them as "kits" cheapest I found was $129.99. So old clutch is going back in until I can afford that. (not worn out anyway)
While the trans is out I decide to re seal the front cover and also the side cover, since the thing was COVERED in sludge. I pull the side cover off and the damn forks stay in the trans along with the interlock and a ball bearing drops into the freaking case.
I seriously fished around in there for 25-30 minutes, then I started doubting there even was one to begin with. I called my old man and he came over to look at it. He was here for seriously 10 seconds and pulled it out.
Resealed it and drained it for new oil.
Still need to do electric fuel pump, some ppl say you can't mount then sideways due to seals potentially failing and a flood condition that could cause fire, some say it's fine. but I don't see any other way to mount it than to put it on it's side. Anyone have any experience info??
Slated for a Friday install now (as long as I find a damn 26 spline alignment tool)