Rebuilding my NEW engine

[BaldMenace]

The engine I purchased in November needs fixing and I haven't even installed it yet. I've been researching what bearing clearances I should shoot for and I've seen everything from .001 to .003. this engine has a 4340 stroker crankshaft and billet center main caps. 4340 rods most likely eagle or some variation. What is the best rod and main bearing clearance for a 500+ horsepower v6?

 

[Chuck Leeper]

Before I bought new brgs, I'd have that crank and rods inspected for dimensions.
Those brgs look like they have had dirt in them, and don't have consistent clearances, showing odd wear patterns.
When you pulled it apart, did you check side clearances and crank end play?
What do the mains look like?
Any shit in the filter and oil pump, pan?

 

[BEATAV8]

The Buick power source book (aka "how to hotrod your buick v6") has build sheets for many different V6 applications. That's my go-to source when I have questions like this. It can be downloaded as a pdf file from somewhere, break out the google. Or hit ebay for a copy.

 

[BaldMenace]

Before I bought new brgs, I'd have that crank and rods inspected for dimensions.
Those brgs look like they have had dirt in them, and don't have consistent clearances, showing odd wear patterns.
When you pulled it apart, did you check side clearances and crank end play?
What do the mains look like?
Any shit in the filter and oil pump, pan?

Crank end play was .009. main bearings didn't look bad. Cylinder bores looked awful.

 

[Chuck Leeper]

What does the sides of the rod bearings look like?
Aftermkt rod may take chamfered bearings. Are these that way?
Any indication of brg contact on the cheeks of the crank?

 

[Reggie West]

Looks like someone tried to clean up old bores and mains and slapped new bearings and rings in everything hoping it would work.

All of that needs to go to a machine shop and gone through completely. Looks like the crank was dancing around in the main bearing.

 

[Anthony P]

The Buick power source book (aka "how to hotrod your buick v6") has build sheets for many different V6 applications. That's my go-to source when I have questions like this. It can be downloaded as a pdf file from somewhere, break out the google. Or hit ebay for a copy.

Attempting to attach Buick PowerSource book as pdf.

pdf too large to attach...is about 18MB. send me a PM with an email address & I'll send it.

 

[BaldMenace]

Looks like someone tried to clean up old bores and mains and slapped new bearings and rings in everything hoping it would work.

All of that needs to go to a machine shop and gone through completely. Looks like the crank was dancing around in the main bearing.

Yeah unfortunately with everything I've seen inside this "almost new" engine I'm going to have to completely go through everything to verify fit and clearances.

 

[Pronto]

Looks like another buying a used engine horror story. Probably needs everything and in the end it will cost way more than you bargained for. Heard this story way too many times.

 

[BaldMenace]

Looks like another buying a used engine horror story. Probably needs everything and in the end it will cost way more than you bargained for. Heard this story way too many times.

Yeah I definitely took it in the shorts on this one

 

[SCOOBY DOO]

From someone that's resized a million rods, seeing the wear down to the copper, have the big ends checked for size. It'd be a good idea to check the journals as well. The one has a weird wear pattern.

 

[BaldMenace]

Hey guys it's been a while since I updated this thread. I'm going to have the crank turned .010/.010 and have the rods resized. I'm going to have the Piston skirts coated by line2line and then have the cylinders honed. At this point I realize I need to check everything and not assume anything is fine. Going to install new cam bearings and have the block thoroughly cleaned and then clean it again before I assemble it. I've accumulated new RJC racing head gaskets and copper exhaust manifold gaskets. Good quality main and rod bearings and a good quality gasket set.

I highly recommend steering clear of Robert Aschtgen of Southern Oregon.

 

[TurboTGuy]

"I highly recommend steering clear of Robert Aschtgen of Southern Oregon."

There it is!

I was going to ask, as I'm sure some others were about to.

Sorry for your luck.

 

[BaldMenace]

This is the roller cam I have. Can't find much info on it.

 

[mblum]

Give Comp Cams a call on Monday and they can look it up. I have a DLS cam in a spare 109 and they had no issue getting me the cam card. Took a few days though.

Good luck!

 

[mblum]

Ok, I found a picture of my cam and the specs

 

[THensley]

I have one of those too

 

[xlr8ngn]

https://www.mahle-aftermarket.com/media/local-media-north-america/pdfs-&-thumbnails/catalogs-and-literature/engine-bearings/ceb-2-1114-engine-bearing-failures-brochure.pdf

You have a few of these going on. Your plan should correct most of these issues.

 

[Pronto]

Good info!

 

[Phoneguy]

Looks like another buying a used engine horror story. Probably needs everything and in the end it will cost way more than you bargained for. Heard this story way too many times.

I bought a used RPE Stroker from @chasmat2316 in 2018 and have been beating the shit out of it since I installed it in January of 2019. He was going to build a Stage II engine and decided to sell his engine to fund the new one. Great transaction and I am happy with the engine.

Bryan