SAR 11/19/03 results New best plus blown motor

[Bliggida]

Well, I went out to SAR, wednesday night with Nino and Merlin. Got there early so I decided to start making runs since I was waiting on the rest of the crew to show.

1st run, I was asleep at the line, but the car felt strong. I was able to get some decent heat built up into the tires. And I ran them at 28 PSI. 3,440 race weight with myself, 1/4 tank of gas.

RT - 1.21
60'- 2.21 (stock suspension and tires)
330' - 6.38
1/8 ET - 9.89
1/8 MPH - 70.15
1/4 ET - 15.41
1/4 MPH - 89.80

Car ran about the same as when I was at Alamo - where I was happy with the run but I could feel a lot more potential left in the motor.
My MPH was down a little bit.

2nd run, I got to the line, and starting hearing valve tick (or what sounded like). Thinking maybe my engine was cold I checked the gauge and I was near 210 (no fan switch yet). I was about to shut down, but went and made the run. I knew that my previous problem wasn't fixed and this may have been the underlying cause. Anyway I spun the bearings on the bottom end. That ET resulted in a 16.72 @ 84.54 MPH - I knew something was way off.

I parked it, heard the bearings squealing and called up a tow truck. Bottom end is toast. I knew sooner or later it would catch up with me. And even if I hadn't raced, the engine may only have lasted a few months anyway. 133,xxx miles so I can't complain too much.

Set on an LS1 swap, but I may have to park the Camaro for a while to save up for it.

Anyone know where I can get a good deal on a V6 shortblock? I may swap my accessories and top end over to a good short block to get me on the road again (as far as driving the Camaro)

Otherwise, my other options are:
- replacing the tranny in my Olds' 98.
- Re-ring the 307 in my Delta 88 and start its safety overhaul.
- Slap an exhaust & primer on my '79 Z28 and drive that bad boy.

So, set my best ET and blew the motor same day! I would have thought I'd be a lot more upset over the whole matter than I seem to be. Unless I am suffering from PTSD???

Thanks for all the support though, and I'll let you guys know when I get a short block or if I will park it to save for an LS1 swap.

[ November 21, 2003: Message edited by: Bliggida ]</p>

[Shirl]

Ouch :eek: Sorry to hear :(

[Magnus]

how low where you on oil. how old was your oil. what oil where you using? what was your normal oil PSI.

Not normal for a 3800 even with high mileage to spin a bearing.

[Bliggida]

good point Magnus.

I checked after I raced. Oil quality and quantity were both exceptional. I had about 3000 miles on this oil change. Clear, clean, not burnt at all.

[Magnus]

type of oil and normal Oil PSI at idle and 2K rpm?

[redbird00]

i was there, it sukt... had another v-6 f-bod break a radiator hose and need to be towed too that night...

merlin

[mrbako]

didn't you just get finished rebuilding that motor?

that is teh suck


srry...pull out the 79 yo ! [img]graemlins/burnout.gif[/img]

[Bliggida]

Well, I didn't do a rebuild because no parts were replaced. I pulled the motor down to the block to have the heads and valve train inspected and put new gaskets in. That was it. But yeah I just got finished doing that about a month ago.

During my first run and up to my second run, oil pressure was fine across the RPM range. After the second run, my pressure dropped to a dangerous level and that is when I shut the motor down.

I usually use Quaker State or other name brand quality oil. 10W-30 fill.

There was a lot of work to pull that motor apart in the car and I will not be doing that again. This motor (and tranny) will be lifted out, put on a stand and fixed that way. If I get another V6 short block I do not plan on having the car sit for months like I did before. I really do not want to spend more than a week swapping over accessories, and stabbing a new motor w/ tranny.

Anyone got a good deal on a shortblock? Or Longblock?