Guess who can't catch a break?

"matthewklein220" (matthewklein220)
05/26/2014 at 17:30 • Filed to: None

Answer: Me.

The Firebird has just destroyed its third engine in the last year and a half. After six weeks of putting it together and in the car, it barely lasted three weeks before the oil pump sucked the pan dry, wiped a bearing and destroyed an $800 set of Crower rods. At this point I'm thinking the car is cursed or some higher power really doesn't want me driving it. So now I'm carless for probably another six weeks, if not longer.

DISCUSSION (23)

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > matthewklein220
05/26/2014 at 17:32

Never give up. Just think once everything is new nothing will break.

matthewklein220 > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
05/26/2014 at 17:33

That was the point of this engine, it was supposed to be unbreakable, and it broke almost immediately.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > matthewklein220
05/26/2014 at 17:36

Well you are SOL but never give up.

Bandit > matthewklein220
05/26/2014 at 17:44

Man that sucks. Why don't you throw in a cheap Pontiac 400 that isn't too wild just so you have an engine that won't have a chance to kill itself. Buy this, sell the trans, and throw in some of the good parts from the blown engine (like the intake and carb). http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/pts/4472670844…

matthewklein220 > Bandit
05/26/2014 at 17:51

This engine wasn't too wild. It was just a mild 455 putting out about ~420 hp according to the butt-dyno. And I have spare blocks, but now I need a new crank, rods, possibly cam, oil pump, and an accumulator so this can't happen again. Which is going to take time to get together.

Bandit > matthewklein220
05/26/2014 at 17:53

What I would give to be making 420 hp... You'll get it running again. It would be a crime not to. You could build two blocks at the same time so the next time one blows you have one ready to go in...

matthewklein220 > Bandit
05/26/2014 at 17:54

Don't have the funds to have two engines ready to go at once... Otherwise I would.

Bandit > matthewklein220
05/26/2014 at 17:55

I know that feel. Do you track the car? If not there really isn't a reason to spend so much on a set of lifters (not to sound like a dick) which would free up money for more parts.

matthewklein220 > Bandit
05/26/2014 at 18:01

I do, it failed at an autocross event. And lifters is one part I have spares of, it's the big ticket items like cranks and rods I need. And after this I'm not skimping a cent on anything. I intend to be able to drop a nuke on this engine and have it not even notice.

Bandit > matthewklein220
05/26/2014 at 18:04

(I meant rods) Now that's a plan I like, thanks for not being typical and doing an LS swap.

matthewklein220 > Bandit
05/26/2014 at 18:07

Too expensive and everyone and their brother does that swap. Car came from the factory with a Pontiac, I intend to keep it that way.

Jedidiah > matthewklein220
05/26/2014 at 18:28

Ouch. You could probably get a Pontiac 350 for real cheap to use so you won't be carless. I think all Pontiac motors use the same block just with different bores and strokes so they will use the same motor mounts.

I may not be correct; I'm only fluent in Oldsmobile.

matthewklein220 > Jedidiah
05/26/2014 at 18:44

You are correct. The only structural difference is that the 428/455 uses a larger crank journal. ANd the car is a HO 350 car, and the 350 is still sitting on the engine stand in need of a rebuild. At this rate I may just go through with my high-revving 350 idea instead of rebuilding this 455.

Jedidiah > matthewklein220
05/26/2014 at 20:16

Is the HO 350 currently usable? They made like 320 HP at the crank, more than enough power to have fun until you get your 455 sorted out.

Pontiac 350s are oversquare but I don't really know anything about their driving characteristics. I'd imagine they are similar to an Olds 350 since they are 90 degree blocks and have long intake runners. If they crank and block can take revs, then a high duration cam and some flat tops would make it like a W-31 and be very entertaining.

matthewklein220 > Jedidiah
05/26/2014 at 20:24

It has a blown headgasket, and just about every seal and bearing is in need of being replaced. It may run, but it would be damn tired trying to move that car around.

Jedidiah > matthewklein220
05/26/2014 at 20:39

Damn. Pontiacs rarely turn up around here. I'd wait for a cheap donor and hope one turns up soon.

Do you know why your pan ran dry? I know its possible to do that in an Olds 455 if you haven't deburred the oil return in the valley or use use restrictive pushrods, but it is very rare and you have to be turning very high rpms.

matthewklein220 > Jedidiah
05/27/2014 at 01:30

I didn't do either of those, and all the oil got pumped into the valve covers and was spraying out of the breathers all over the engine compartment. With none of it returning to the pan, the pump sucked air. Also, I have plenty of Pontiac blocks laying around, the problem is none of them in functioning condition.

Jedidiah > matthewklein220
05/27/2014 at 08:54

Did you use a non-stock oil pump? Pontiacs might need a baffled pan if you use a high volume pump. You're getting too much oil in your top end and starving your bottom for some reason. I'd try to talk to your machinist and figure out what went wrong.

matthewklein220 > Jedidiah
05/27/2014 at 15:08

I've been suggested restrictive pushrods, since the engine is already baffled.

tromoly > matthewklein220
06/30/2014 at 00:27

Any idea why it's sucking air?

Also, food for thought, have you thought of running an Accusump?

Kinja'd!!!

matthewklein220 > tromoly
06/30/2014 at 00:37

Yes, it pumped all the oil into the valvecovers, and the high-g's kept it from draining back into the pan. Restrictive pushrods should solve that issue, and we're looking into accusumps as a possible just-in-case-we-were-wrong.

tromoly > matthewklein220
06/30/2014 at 00:41

Gotcha, best wishes for when you get around to the new build.

matthewklein220 > tromoly
06/30/2014 at 00:45

Just waiting on the machine shop!