Started dismantling Trans-Am engine

AmericanThunder said:
Seconding what Chris said, although I have never broken a cam with roller lifters before so perhaps the process is different.
Hard to say from a cellphone clip but did sound tappy? Header leak?
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I can hear clicking on the passenger side. Had that before when a coil pack was arching, although cant see the arching this time. Will investigate. When I first started it up it was more ticking until oil pressure pumped up the lifters. All lifters should be perfect, as checked each one manually by tuning over engine by hand and feeling all pushrods, everything was done to spec and all even. So I'm happy that is all fine. What is common is high lift cams creating noise though the plastic intake. It seems to be the same in all videos I've watched of other LS1 with non standard cam shafts. However I will be running more checks and tuning before taking it out on the road again.
I should be happy with the running of it by Sunday, ready for the Hayling show. 49 miles to go until an oil change. :)
 
Should I mention to the DVLA its a 6.3L? its still the same engine number. I don't know the CC, it was 5666cc. Perhaps 6271cc now, going by 346 to 383 conversion.
 
True, engine number is the same, the only way they would know is by reading this thread.
 
New pulley wheel was tight, so I used an unconventional unmeasured method of making the internals bigger.
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It took a while, take a bit out, clean it up, grease it, try sliding it on the crank, light tap with a hammer, it wouldn't go far enough in for the bolt to catch the thread. So had to take it off, more sanding, and re-try. Probably only 5 mins of total sanding time. So eventually it would go on, and the bolt would pull it on past the seal, its still tight, never gonna come off even without the bolt in there.
This is an under-drive pulley so I had to put on a shorter belt.

One of the injector connector wires was broken, soldered back on and applied heatshrink sleeve
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Taped it up too to keep it tidy.
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First start up to check oil pressure comes up.
[video=youtube;Jys_SUdY6UA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jys_SUdY6UA[/video]
Oil pressure comes up good. Now to attached the water pump, radiator, and assemble the rest of the bits.
Pulley is 10 years old, and this is the first time its been installed on the car. Was new when i got it.
attachment.php

Fans all plugged in, and ready to be cable ties together.

Water is in the radiator.
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Lowering the car with my new awesome jack. Low profile, lifts from 70mm, to over 520mm.
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Running the car, checking for leaks, and letting it warm up to temperature.
[video=youtube;9OBH74IXlJs]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OBH74IXlJs[/video]

[video=youtube;bKWoXKC_XGo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKWoXKC_XGo[/video]
Nice burble around 20 seconds in. Liking the sounds of this new creation.
 
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Don't know who told you that but all cams and lifters need to be fast run in its to bring the cam and lifters up to working temp to case harden lobs and lifter faces.!!! If you haven't I would for peace of mind! Or you run the risk of having the same happen again.
 
Chriswrx123 said:
Don't know who told you that but all cams and lifters need to be fast run in its to bring the cam and lifters up to working temp to case harden lobs and lifter faces.!!! If you haven't I would for peace of mind! Or you run the risk of having the same happen again.
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Many threads including this one:- Camshaft break-in oil - LS1TECH seem to indicate no run in period for the cam.

Posted the question on Ls1tech.com Is Cam / Lifter run in required for LS1s - LS1TECH has a response already. I guess others will respond too with their opinions. You are right to question it Chris. The last thing I want is premature failure, but it does seem so far that the high revs for that duration is not required.
 
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The choice is yours mate but I know wot I would do.great job by the way
 
Interesting, nice find. :)
 
Don't want to say told you so but. I've built many engines over the years and have always had to do the baptism of fire on start up.!!! It's nerve racking but once done that's it for ever. Some may not agree but it ain't there engine or mine hence the choice is yours. Wot ever you decide good luck great work .
 
Thanks for the replies. Okay I have a plan.
As you know I posted the question on LS1Tech, the general thing is that you dont need to run in the roller cams. Is Cam / Lifter run in required for LS1s - LS1TECH I mentioned about keeping my RPM's low for some time, and the post by Zmg00camaross said "Don't worry getting the rpms up to 3k and shift up and down. Helps seal rings". So thats a good point.

From the link AT posted...
Bring the engine up to 2,500 rpm and vary the speed by a few hundred rpm for 20-30 minutes.
After a 30-minute break-in, change the oil filter. At this point, you have removed all the larger particles that could cause problems and you can start upping the flow rate of your filter.
Change the oil and filter after initial break-in. Most of the wear metals created by an engine occur during the first hour of operation.

So my plan is on Thursday after work, is to start the car up, monitor with the laptop, bring up to 2k-2.5k rpm, and run for 20mins(depending how long my 1/4 tank of gas lasts) also during this break in time I can finish fitting my interior. Once done, let engine cool somewhat but still warm, I'll change the oil/filter. Put in more break/in oil and engine oil, and run for soo many miles before the next oil change.

The arse end of the car is facing towards the road. I wonder what 2.5k rpm will sound like for 20mins to the neighbours. I cant take it back to near work, in case I hear odd noises during the run in process and need to shut off. I really want it on the drive way. I think what I will do it use some loft insulation to muffle the sound of the exhaust. I have a spare roll, pop it behind the exhaust tail pipes, but not blocking flow, and add a few cardboard boxes to help deaden the sound.

I'm not around Friday, and Saturday is MOT time, the first time slot. so limited on playing time.
 
Another suggestion

***************
There is a school of thought that says you want to maximize cylinder pressure during break-in to properly seat the rings... i.e. drive it like you stole it.

$0.02
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Happy with that dont hold on a set rpm for more than a couple of minutes. Once you've done the 20 mins slowly back off to idle let run for 3 mins just to let oil cool at normal rpm then turn off cool and drain re fill happy days . Any over heating issues during run is a stop stop ??????. So make sure all is done up before you start
 
Chriswrx123 said:
Happy with that dont hold on a set rpm for more than a couple of minutes. Once you've done the 20 mins slowly back off to idle let run for 3 mins just to let oil cool at normal rpm then turn off cool and drain re fill happy days . Any over heating issues during run is a stop stop ������. So make sure all is done up before you start
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i have another bottle of Comp Cams Engine Break in Oil, after changing the oil, was going to put it in and run with that. How many miles should I do till next oil change after tomorrow?

So to bed in the rings I need to boot it, to great some good pressures in the cylinder. However the clutch says drive it easy for 500 miles to bed it in, mainly round town driving it advises, loads of stop starts. lol. Well I can't do both.
 
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I wouldn't bother with the 2nd bottle. Assuming you have a bottle in now, just change for fresh oil after the break-in period.
Also agree vary rpms - maybe set your baseline at 2k rpm and go as high as 2500 and as low as 1500. Might be easier on the neighbors?
 
First 1000 miles No WOT !!!! Drive like Darren or maybe abit faster plenty of stop starts all gear changes under 2k may be 2.5k after 500 miles change oil and filters on 1000 miles be happy i the knowledge that she is broken in drive it like you stole it. Maybe a weekend away to John o grotes and back job done ✅ 2 for 1 Gretna Green?
 
First 1000 miles No WOT !!!! Drive like Darren or maybe abit faster plenty of stop starts all gear changes under 2k may be 2.5k after 500 miles change oil and filters on 1000 miles be happy i the knowledge that she is broken in drive it like you stole it. Maybe a weekend away to John o grotes and back job done ✅ 2 for 1 Gretna Green?
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:thumb:
 
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