Fitzi722
10+ Year Contributor
- 81
- 0
- Jan 9, 2011
-
Pittsfield,
Massachusetts
So I bought my first DSM about 2 months ago. When I got it, my friend Evan and I thought we would just need to put a new timing belt on, fix the brake lines, and we would be all set. Well here we are two months and an entire top end rebuild later and the car still hasn't left the driveway.
I guess some info about the car will be in order. The previous owner was not by any means intelligent. He abused the car as far as I can tell, which is probably why I am in this situation. Before him the car was owned by a guy who had it running high 11s at the track. Apparently the bottom end was replaced/rebuilt roughly 15K miles ago by that owner. Some of the mods I list are what I have been told were put in by that owner.
Now, when I got the car the top end was a mess. Had significant dropped compression in 2 cylinders (145-125-125-150). The valves and head were disgusting. I've seen a used engine before, but the carbon in this thing was sickening. The cam journals were also scored and pieces inside the intake and exhaust ports were cracked/broken.
In response to the head I ordered a remanufactured head from J&C Enterprises. We rebuilt that head with Crower 272/272 Cams, topline lifters, and Manley Springs and Ti Retainers. We also blocked off the EGR and changed out the fuel injectors to FIC 750CC injectors.
When the car had the old head on it, it would NOT idle at all. Crank - Fire - Die. As of an hour ago the car is back together. It will start and idle now. However there is a pretty noticeable ticking noise coming from the top end. It sounds like cam noise of some kind. I do not have a video (no camera besides cell phone, and the phones speaker sucks).
I know for a fact that I have a boost leak at the J-pipe. That is not where this noise is coming from.
Now, I am wondering if this could be from the lifters not getting enough oil pressure to move correctly? Or if this is something to do with the cams/springs/retainers being broken in for the first time.
I have a short data log from when I started the car the second time tonight. It will be attached.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
I guess some info about the car will be in order. The previous owner was not by any means intelligent. He abused the car as far as I can tell, which is probably why I am in this situation. Before him the car was owned by a guy who had it running high 11s at the track. Apparently the bottom end was replaced/rebuilt roughly 15K miles ago by that owner. Some of the mods I list are what I have been told were put in by that owner.
Now, when I got the car the top end was a mess. Had significant dropped compression in 2 cylinders (145-125-125-150). The valves and head were disgusting. I've seen a used engine before, but the carbon in this thing was sickening. The cam journals were also scored and pieces inside the intake and exhaust ports were cracked/broken.
In response to the head I ordered a remanufactured head from J&C Enterprises. We rebuilt that head with Crower 272/272 Cams, topline lifters, and Manley Springs and Ti Retainers. We also blocked off the EGR and changed out the fuel injectors to FIC 750CC injectors.
When the car had the old head on it, it would NOT idle at all. Crank - Fire - Die. As of an hour ago the car is back together. It will start and idle now. However there is a pretty noticeable ticking noise coming from the top end. It sounds like cam noise of some kind. I do not have a video (no camera besides cell phone, and the phones speaker sucks).
I know for a fact that I have a boost leak at the J-pipe. That is not where this noise is coming from.
Now, I am wondering if this could be from the lifters not getting enough oil pressure to move correctly? Or if this is something to do with the cams/springs/retainers being broken in for the first time.
I have a short data log from when I started the car the second time tonight. It will be attached.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
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