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Old 03-10-2008, 01:40 PM   #13
El Jay
Gone to greener pastures
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Gateway to the Delta
Posts: 7,354
Re: Engine/Sparkplug Question

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gray Ghost View Post
I never rebuild part of any motor, it's a recipe for disaster.

As far as crate motors go....save a ton of cash contact a local builder to rebuild your motor. You can also usually come out way ahead HP and torque wise over what GM offers.

I ordered a GM 350 HO with roller cam and roller timing chain [350hp] back in 2000 and wound up being very disappointed with the power. The engine alone cost me $2850 back then and my locally built El Camino SS's motor [325 hp according to the PO] with a 3.08 posi would run circles around the Monte Carlo SS with it's 3.73. That was my last crate motor. I have had two built for that same $2850 since [in two different trucks].

Another local guy had a ZZ4 in his C-10...spent $4200 on that one and while it was a good running truck, no one else in the club thought it ran good enough to warrant the price or the hype the crates get.

Mr. "Old Skool" here,

Mr. Ghost is correct.
Never rebuild part of a motor.
If you just do the top end, you'll just end up beating the crap out of the bottom end/bearings because of the "new" compression.
Do it all, or do none.

As for oil on the spark plug threads, you'll find that on all of my vehicles. I put a little oil on the threads to lubricate them before installation.

Personally, I'd do a full electric tune up & run it.
Then in a few thousand miles I'd pull the plugs & "read" them.

If they're "oily", it could very well be time for an overhaul.
If they're just "sooty", start looking @ the fuel system, or maybe you need a hotter plug because of your particular driving habits.

And, just as an aside, I love building motors. Just don't get to do it often enough.

I hoped this helped a bit.

El Jay
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