Well a couple of weeks ago we had a engine failure in my 70 Camaro "shop beater v 3.0". Well this weekend we finally had the chance to get the motor out of the car and do the autopsy. Well upon removing the oil pan drain plug we were greeted with a bout 2 gallons of water before we got any oil. So I knew already we had major issues. The hole in the pan and 7 dents in the pan pointed to big issues any way. But I didn't expect to be as bad as found upon tear down.
After removing the pan, we immediatly notice the lack of the bottom portion of the #4 rod. There is heavy blueing on the crank at the where the #4 rod was, which leads to a bearing or oiling failure of some type. Well it seems it let loose at the cap area and then in turn snapping the rod in half and due significant damage in the mean time. All 8 pistons are damaged, either cracked or broken skirts. #4 cylinder and #3 cylinder walls have holes in them at the bottom. The resulting schrapenal made quick work of breaking the cam shaft in half, which in turn stuck open the valves which then made contact with the top of the pistons, therefor bending every valve. So in turn there is nothing salvagable internally. The heads can be salvaged with a valve job and all new valves.
Everything internally and part of the short block is trashed. Nothing like staring at a $20,000 boat anchor to make your Sunday. Motor assembly was done by Evernham Motorsports Nascar team a couple years back. The detail work inside the motor is insane, every part was laser engraved with location, date of assembly, and sizing info. The valley under intake and all internal area of the motor had been ground down to a mirror like finish. incredible amount of detail and time spent in machining and assembly of the motor. But now all that work, has left me with a new coffee table.
Just thought I would share my grief and heartache with all my buddies. If anyone has a lead on a stroked or cheap LS take out motor please let me know. I'm thinking big cubed LS with a carb. Keep it simple and get it back on the road ASAP. Back to my sulking and depression!!
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
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My 70 Camaro "Shop beater v 3.0" catostrophic engine failure
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