Jason's 70 Big Block SWB Project

[jlsanborn]

Is that a flat tappet cam in there? BBC are famous for eating those up. I'd yank the intake for a peek.

[jeh]

Originally Posted by jlsanborn

Is that a flat tappet cam in there? BBC are famous for eating those up. I'd yank the intake for a peek.

It's a roller cam. We are going to tear into it to see what's going on.

[jeh]

Originally Posted by sduckworth13

Nice work Jason. Sucks that you had to pull it though.

Thanks Scott

Originally Posted by mud.man.rj

Issues aren't cool, hope you get them resolved.

If there will be issues, I'll have them!!!!

[jeh]

I took the engine down to my buddy's shop, just waiting on the results now!!! I'm going to to drop the "2 speed" 700r4 out next week and try to make up my mind which direction I want to go with a new transmission. I talked to TCI about one of their 700's and Bowtie Overdrive about theirs. I kinda like the manual valve body that BTO offers, no wires, and no TV cables... Have any of you guys had any experience with either of them?

[mcbassin]

Bummer about the big block problem, hope it's an easy fix. Good luck with the tranny too. Seems like you just finished this project recently.

[jeh]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Bummer about the big block problem, hope it's an easy fix. Good luck with the tranny too. Seems like you just finished this project recently.

Hey Mike, here at my house, when it rains it pours!!! I only have around 500 miles on it right now. The transmission never felt right from the beginning, 1st and 2nd gear were strong, 3rd and 4th just felt sluggish. Hopefully get some things sorted out this week. The picture you posted the other day of your truck looks sweet.

[jeh]

I just talked to my buddy a little while ago, he disassembled the bottom end of my engine and didn't like what he saw. The crank and main bearings are wiped out So at this point I'm not sure what I'm going to do. We need to see what the rest of it looks like with the cam and bearings also. I'm even considering parting it out as far as the Trick Flow heads, Eldelbrock intake, and the Sanderson headers if I can recoup some of the money. Maybe that way I would just go a different direction with a sb stroker or a Ls, too many decisions!!!!

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by jeh

I just talked to my buddy a little while ago, he disassembled the bottom end of my engine and didn't like what he saw. The crank and main bearings are wiped out So at this point I'm not sure what I'm going to do. We need to see what the rest of it looks like with the cam and bearings also. I'm even considering parting it out as far as the Trick Flow heads, Eldelbrock intake, and the Sanderson headers if I can recoup some of the money. Maybe that way I would just go a different direction with a sb stroker or a Ls, too many decisions!!!!

Sucks about the lower end.
Two words... L.S. SWAP

[sduckworth13]

Originally Posted by jeh

I just talked to my buddy a little while ago, he disassembled the bottom end of my engine and didn't like what he saw. The crank and main bearings are wiped out So at this point I'm not sure what I'm going to do. We need to see what the rest of it looks like with the cam and bearings also. I'm even considering parting it out as far as the Trick Flow heads, Eldelbrock intake, and the Sanderson headers if I can recoup some of the money. Maybe that way I would just go a different direction with a sb stroker or a Ls, too many decisions!!!!

Ouch!! Man that sucks!

[jeh]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Sucks about the lower end.
Two words... L.S. SWAP

I like those words also!!!!

Originally Posted by sduckworth13

Ouch!! Man that sucks!

It sure does Scott, with the machine work and all the parts, I have a pile of $$$ in that engine. Other than the block, crank and conn. rods everything in it was new, and top quality parts to. I can see if I skimped on cheap stuff...

[sduckworth13]

Jason, there is a place that's called LKQ that sells low mileage LS setups for cheaper than most places. LKQ is a automotive supplier of new and used parts. They are a nationwide company if you decide to go the LS route.
http://www.lkqcorp.com/en-us/

[sduckworth13]

Here is the closest location to you.
http://www.lkqcorp.com/en-us/locatio...sville-oh.aspx

[jeh]

Originally Posted by sduckworth13

Jason, there is a place that's called LKQ that sells low mileage LS setups for cheaper than most places. LKQ is a automotive supplier of new and used parts. They are a nationwide company if you decide to go the LS route.
http://www.lkqcorp.com/en-us/

Thanks Scott, I'll check them out tonight. Just for the heck of it, I looked at Jeg's engine/transmission packages this evening, you can get a stock GM crate 350 with a TH350 transmission for about $2500. That's just crazy. It wouldn't have the "wow" factor that the cammed up BB had, but a least I could drive it!!!!

[sduckworth13]

Jason, here is one more website for junkyards nationwide. This will give you a lot of options too.
www.Car-Parts.com

[jeh]

Originally Posted by sduckworth13

Jason, here is one more website for junkyards nationwide. This will give you a lot of options too.
www.Car-Parts.com

Ok, thanks

[nlped]

That sucks about the engine man. Just to put it out there, I'd like to know about the heads & headers if you go another route. Either way, it'll be a bada$$ ride.

[jeh]

Originally Posted by nlped

That sucks about the engine man. Just to put it out there, I'd like to know about the heads & headers if you go another route. Either way, it'll be a bada$$ ride.

Thanks Ed, man I've got tons of ideas running through my head right now. Not sure what caused it to fail but it made some STRONG power while it lasted!!! If I decide to part it I'll post it up on here first. There would be lots of goodies for someone with a big block.

[nlped]

[jeh]

I went down to the shop today to take a little peek at my engine. There were a couple bearings that looked terrible, but in the meantime he called me this evening after he tore it completely down and said something looked odd. The crank wore the top of the bearing on one end of the motor and the bottom on the other end almost like the block wasn't honed straight. On the other hand all the top end components looked good. So at this point I'm still not sure what I'm going to do????

[jlsanborn]

The machine shop should look closer. One of the two (block or crank) ain't like the other. I can't imagine the block being out of alignment that bad. Maybe a bad crank grind? You should also check all the journal clearances with plasti-gauge when it's assembled. Good luck man, stick with the big block!!

[68bowtie]

Originally Posted by jeh

I went down to the shop today to take a little peek at my engine. There were a couple bearings that looked terrible, but in the meantime he called me this evening after he tore it completely down and said something looked odd. The crank wore the top of the bearing on one end of the motor and the bottom on the other end almost like the block wasn't honed straight. On the other hand all the top end components looked good. So at this point I'm still not sure what I'm going to do????

first of all, very cool truck, love the build. bummer about the engine. hope you figure it out.

regarding your decision. on one hand, you can't ditch the big block or your build thread title won't make any sense. on the other hand, i could sure use some of those parts!

[jeh]

Originally Posted by jlsanborn

The machine shop should look closer. One of the two (block or crank) ain't like the other. I can't imagine the block being out of alignment that bad. Maybe a bad crank grind? You should also check all the journal clearances with plasti-gauge when it's assembled. Good luck man, stick with the big block!!

I might give the machine shop a call and talk to them about it next week. As far as the clearances, he did plasti-gauge them at the time of build. Decisions????

Originally Posted by 68bowtie

first of all, very cool truck, love the build. bummer about the engine. hope you figure it out.

regarding your decision. on one hand, you can't ditch the big block or your build thread title won't make any sense. on the other hand, i could sure use some of those parts!

Lol, I could always change the thread title.... These parts "might" be coming up for sale?

[Stickman]

Originally Posted by jeh

I took the engine down to my buddy's shop, just waiting on the results now!!! I'm going to to drop the "2 speed" 700r4 out next week and try to make up my mind which direction I want to go with a new transmission. I talked to TCI about one of their 700's and Bowtie Overdrive about theirs. I kinda like the manual valve body that BTO offers, no wires, and no TV cables... Have any of you guys had any experience with either of them?

I've done business with Bow Tie before and they are good to deal with and good customer service.

[Stickman]

Originally Posted by jeh

No more 700R4's for me in this truck. This one was from Monster Transmission and was supposed to handle some horsepower. I think I am going to put a TH400 from TCI or Hughes in it. What sucks is that it has rained here for 40 plus days and now that the weather is beautiful, I can't cruise around. Like my buddy says, " That's part of Hot Rodding"

After I read some more through your thread I saw where your 700 took a dump and you were considering a new tranny from Hughes. I had a Hughes 700 in my truck and it worked perfectly with the Bow Tie OD cable for as long as I had it. Probably 8 years, 50,000 mi. That being said it was only behind 250 horse SB. But Hughes is a good company to work with.

[jeh]

Originally Posted by Stickman

I've done business with Bow Tie before and they are good to deal with and good customer service.

Originally Posted by Stickman

After I read some more through your thread I saw where your 700 took a dump and you were considering a new tranny from Hughes. I had a Hughes 700 in my truck and it worked perfectly with the Bow Tie OD cable for as long as I had it. Probably 8 years, 50,000 mi. That being said it was only behind 250 horse SB. But Hughes is a good company to work with.

Things are a little confusing around here right now, I ended up with more problems than just the transmission, but thanks for good rating on Hughes and Bow tie Overdrive.