LSM
5+ Year Contributor
- 113
- 16
- Mar 25, 2018
-
Phoenix,
Arizona
I am hoping that somebody with extensive short block knowledge can help me with an issue I have. I'll try to keep this as short as I can, but I also want to specify exactly what problem I'm having, so it's gonna be kind of long, I apologize ahead of time!
So I bought a '97 GSX, had it shipped to me, immediately stipped the whole car down, inside and out, and spent roughly $30K - $35K on upgraded parts throughout the car. The only original parts that will still be on the car are for the most part, the body, chassis, some of the suspension components, the head (though heavily ported), and the 7 bolt block....plus some hoses and stuff like that......but anyways, besides that stuff, the rest of the parts will be new and better, upgraded parts.
I originally had not planned on stripping the short block down, so I didn't bother getting a 6 bolt block, because I don't know how to properly reassemble the short block internals, so I really didn'twanna mess with it. Then I began to realize that the lower end Manley pistons and Eagle rods, that were already in the block, were not going to be strong enough for my build. So of course, I started the tear down. Since I had already ordered several thousands of dollars worth of parts, specifically for a 7 bolt block, the 6 bolt was still out of the question. Mad at how much I had screwed myself in regards to that particular subject, I decided to make the best of the 7 bolt block I have and do the 2.3L stroker!
So I bought a Manley 100mm billet crank, Manley Turbo Tuff I-Beam Rods, and some really nice JE 85.5mm Pistons made for high boost and/or a lot of nitrous, I thought I was good to go! Then, while trying to save up the money to have somebody properly check all of the gaps, so I will know what exact main and rod bearings I need, I found the issue.
I told you all of that just so you will be aware of my platform. I am expecting to be sitting around 700hp-750hp at the crank without nitrous, and up to 1050hp-1100hp with the nitrous. I believe that to be a fairly accurate figure.
Now, heres the problem! I had just happened to be in my garage messing with something, and I looked down at my block.....must have been in just the right position and light, because I noticed something that I had not seen before! On the outside crank/main bearing saddle, on the side of the block that will be facing the passenger side of the engine bay, there is what looks almost like some very fine etching into the metal along one side of the saddle. I can just barely feel it, but I can definitely feel it, so there is in fact missing material to some extent.
When I first got the car it wasn't leaking at all from that spot, but it was also only pushing 353hp to the wheels and 323ft-lb at the time. I also see that the saddle that has damage is the only one of the 5 total that doesn't have an oil squirter or an oil galley. To be honest, I cant remember if there is a bearing that goes there or if the bare part of the crank rests on that spot.....the car has been torn apart for way too long haha! My question is, do you think this will cause any issues with the setup I will have? Any leaking or anything else? And of course, if it can or will cause issues, is there a way to fix it, or resurface it, or do I need to find another block?!
I have included a couple of pictures in this post, it was really hard to get a decent picture showing the damage really well, so I hope you are able to see it fairly well! Please let me know if this will cause any issues or not, as this is keeping me from being able to start reassembling everything! Also, as I had asked above, if it will cause problems, is there any way to properly fix it, as in a permanent solution, not a band-aid?! Sorry this was so long, just wanted whoever answers my question(s) to know exactly what I will be running and what kinds of force and pressure this spot will be seeing while running! I would SERIOUSLY appreciate any accurate info or advice, and I thank you very much for your time and your knowledge in advance!
So I bought a '97 GSX, had it shipped to me, immediately stipped the whole car down, inside and out, and spent roughly $30K - $35K on upgraded parts throughout the car. The only original parts that will still be on the car are for the most part, the body, chassis, some of the suspension components, the head (though heavily ported), and the 7 bolt block....plus some hoses and stuff like that......but anyways, besides that stuff, the rest of the parts will be new and better, upgraded parts.
I originally had not planned on stripping the short block down, so I didn't bother getting a 6 bolt block, because I don't know how to properly reassemble the short block internals, so I really didn'twanna mess with it. Then I began to realize that the lower end Manley pistons and Eagle rods, that were already in the block, were not going to be strong enough for my build. So of course, I started the tear down. Since I had already ordered several thousands of dollars worth of parts, specifically for a 7 bolt block, the 6 bolt was still out of the question. Mad at how much I had screwed myself in regards to that particular subject, I decided to make the best of the 7 bolt block I have and do the 2.3L stroker!
So I bought a Manley 100mm billet crank, Manley Turbo Tuff I-Beam Rods, and some really nice JE 85.5mm Pistons made for high boost and/or a lot of nitrous, I thought I was good to go! Then, while trying to save up the money to have somebody properly check all of the gaps, so I will know what exact main and rod bearings I need, I found the issue.
I told you all of that just so you will be aware of my platform. I am expecting to be sitting around 700hp-750hp at the crank without nitrous, and up to 1050hp-1100hp with the nitrous. I believe that to be a fairly accurate figure.
Now, heres the problem! I had just happened to be in my garage messing with something, and I looked down at my block.....must have been in just the right position and light, because I noticed something that I had not seen before! On the outside crank/main bearing saddle, on the side of the block that will be facing the passenger side of the engine bay, there is what looks almost like some very fine etching into the metal along one side of the saddle. I can just barely feel it, but I can definitely feel it, so there is in fact missing material to some extent.
When I first got the car it wasn't leaking at all from that spot, but it was also only pushing 353hp to the wheels and 323ft-lb at the time. I also see that the saddle that has damage is the only one of the 5 total that doesn't have an oil squirter or an oil galley. To be honest, I cant remember if there is a bearing that goes there or if the bare part of the crank rests on that spot.....the car has been torn apart for way too long haha! My question is, do you think this will cause any issues with the setup I will have? Any leaking or anything else? And of course, if it can or will cause issues, is there a way to fix it, or resurface it, or do I need to find another block?!
I have included a couple of pictures in this post, it was really hard to get a decent picture showing the damage really well, so I hope you are able to see it fairly well! Please let me know if this will cause any issues or not, as this is keeping me from being able to start reassembling everything! Also, as I had asked above, if it will cause problems, is there any way to properly fix it, as in a permanent solution, not a band-aid?! Sorry this was so long, just wanted whoever answers my question(s) to know exactly what I will be running and what kinds of force and pressure this spot will be seeing while running! I would SERIOUSLY appreciate any accurate info or advice, and I thank you very much for your time and your knowledge in advance!
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