Update on toasted thrust bearing

[Black Demon]

http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=83861


Pulled engine earlier this week. After the tear down and close examination the answer to the bad thrust bearing was staring at me. The #1 cap and #3 cap had the arrows pointing to the front of the block. The #2 was pointing toward the tranny

The engine was assembled 2 years ago by a "TR Buick specialist" in the Atlanta area. Immediately after picking up the car I had to replace the oil cooler O-ring and a leaky intake gasket. This fix is going to require a lot of time, money and effort. I intend to post the name of the mechanic in the bad guy list after I have a chance to speak with him and show him the pictures of the mess he made to my engine (after charging close to $3000 for the rebuild).

Oh well, at least I know it will be done correctly this time.

Mike

 

[Tim Cucci]

Mike
Glad to here you found the problem but that sucks about the builder. That is terrible!! Just plain Greed!! I am going thru the same type situation with my tranny.
Hows the crank look? Let me know if I can help.

Tim Cucci

 

[Chris McDade]

Im no engine builder. Can you please tell me what the arrows mean and which way do they go.

Thanks in advance

 

[Black Demon]

Tim,

Crank was in good shape. Bearing took brunt of damage. Billy is going to check measurements and call me next week. It was Stnd/stnd!! Woo-hoo!!

Chris - This is my first time in a Buick engine and the main bearing caps are numbered with a "stamped" numeral and on the opposing side is a directional arrow. The no. 1 cap has 1 arrow, no 2 has 2 arrows ie....

1 ^

2 ^^

3 ^^^

My number 2 cap was turned the wrong way: Engine machinist just shook his head and said it is a wonder it lasted as long as it did.

Mike

 

[Evans Ward]

I hate this for you Mike! But glad it was caught early enough so that further damage and $$ may not be necessary. I'd do the same as you after you confront the "specialist". You did take pics didn't you of the incorrectly installed main bearing cap? I know who did your work and I wonder if he'll deny even working on the car since issueing receipts or records doesn't seem to be a standard business practice of his? Hope to see the Black Demon back on the road soon.