This
is a long shot, but call Tyler Crocket at http://www.crockettmarineengines.com/.
Tyler Crockett Marine
Engines
4600 Brott RD.
Ruby MI, 48049
tel. 810-324-2720
fax 810-324-6234
E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
4600 Brott RD.
Ruby MI, 48049
tel. 810-324-2720
fax 810-324-6234
E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
He has
forgotten more about BBC's than most everyone I've ever heard of. Tell him Craig
Ellis and Tim Johnston from NEA Automotive in Port Huron suggested that you call
him. He builds boat motors these days only because he usually gets two at a time
(or even three) and the owners are not budget restricted like dragster's. He's
got a dyno at his shop as well. They use it to break in motors and do testing
for GM. This guy knows his stuff.
-----Original Message-----on 12/30/02 7:58 AM, Bill Vander Werf at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Chuck Hanson
Sent: Monday, December 30, 2002 4:13 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: [Chevelle-List] Thrust bearing failure
It�s an automatic (TH400). I�ve tried 3 different torque converters and had the trans rebuilt a second time. I checked to make sure the driveshaft wasn�t too long and causing a bind. After the last bearing went out I took the trans to JW Performance Transmissions to have them check it out. They ran it on their test equipment and it checked out good. They tested the torque converter, an ATI unit, and it checked out good too. As a matter of fact they said the ATI converter was an excellent piece of equipment.
Although the crank and block check out good I�ve lost all faith in them at this point. The crank and block have been looked at by two different machine shops. I had the crank Magnafluxed a second time for good measure. The flex plate is a B&M unit. The harmonic balancer is a Fluidamper and they were both balanced with the rotating assembly.
I don�t have a plan B at this time except to start over with a different block and crank. I�m sure there is an answer. It�s probably a simple one. I just want to go racing and my patience has been used up. I haven�t driven this car more than maybe 30 miles since the first bearing episode back in May. When everything checks out good but continues to be a problem what else can you do?
Bill Vander Werf
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Don
Sent: Monday, December 30, 2002 8:07 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: [Chevelle-List] Thrust bearing failure
If it's only eating up the rear thrust bearing face & you are sure the crank, rods, etc are in good condition, then I'd say it HAS to be a flywheel/clutch-Flexplate/Converter or trans problem. Is it an automatic or standard?
Maybe a VERY slim chance of a Harmonic Balancer problem. I doubt it but I've heard they can do strange things when they get out of balance.
Sorry I can't help more but that's all that I can think of.
Do you have access to an engine stand that you can run the engine without the trans installed?
Don
Bill,
Sorry to hear you're still having problems with the thrust bearing on your engine. It's a real stumper, I know. One thing that comes to mind is calling the tech line for the manufacturer of your bearings. They have probably come up against this problem in the past and may be able to shed some light on the problem. Sometimes even the most astute engine builders and/or machinists can overlook something or have never encountered a problem such as yours. When we talked about your engine a while back I ran over all the scenarios in my mind, and it seemed like you'd already tried to correct all the suspected problem areas.
I checked the online tech site for Clevite bearings (Dana Corp), and there's a lot of info on how to troubleshoot your problem. Rather than cut and paste that info, here's where to go: http://engineparts.com/Motorhead/techstuff/bulletins/TB2043.pdf
Good luck, Bill. If that doesn't work, a phone call to their tech line and a conversation with a real person may be the only answer. Sorry I don't have their tech line # in front of me right now. If you don't find it yourself, holler at me on the ACES Hotline and I'll try to come up with it for you.
Chuck
