409 oil feed problems....

[Darren Blake]

Thanks Jim. It was dry, and that makes sense to me that the cam bearing is wrong. When we went and picked up the engine, it had the short block already built with new bearings. However I found many issues, such as the piston valve reliefs were all over the place and incorrect, main bearings were way too tight, etc. etc. The cam bearings were new, however I didn't think to verify if they were correct. It's coming back apart, however for all of the right reasons.

 

[BSL409]

Thanks Jim. It was dry, and that makes sense to me that the cam bearing is wrong. When we went and picked up the engine, it had the short block already built with new bearings. However I found many issues, such as the piston valve reliefs were all over the place and incorrect, main bearings were way too tight, etc. etc. The cam bearings were new, however I didn't think to verify if they were correct. It's coming back apart, however for all of the right reasons.

Sorry to here this. but some engine builders dont know what they are doing

 

[Darren Blake]

Ain't that the truth. I actually had someone ask me how I figured it out without running the engine. Like I said, a lot of folks just assemble and hope for the best. lol.

 

[Don Jacks]

The difference between an assembler and a builder!

 

[Darren Blake]

I actually built a 496 BBC stroker for this same customers 70 SS Chevelle, after he went through hell and $$$ with two previous engine builders. Brodix block and heads, nice equipment. It was knocking profusely. Upon disassembly, I noticed the previous "Expert Engine Builder" installed the Scat Rods backwards, with chamfer facing away from the fillet on the crank journal. Not to mention bearing clearances WAY to tight and zero rod side clearance. I took pictures and measurements, and made a log of condition and findings. I told my customer to ask the previous "Expert Engine Builder" what kind of micrometer he uses, and his response was"A micro what?" Yeah, those are the people that give the hobby a bad name and vibe. That's how the 409 came to me was a happy customer for repeat business.

 

[Darren Blake]

Glad I followed through with disassembling the engine, although it was painful after everything else was going so well. Sure enough, someone installed the #5 cam bearing incorrectly, 1 hole completely blocked off, 1 hole partially blocked and 1 hole lined up at 6 o'clock.

 

[boxerdog]

Well, you learned something for sure about the previous assembler.

 

[Don Jacks]

Yes we did,but Bob won't let us say what we[including him] are really thinking about this person!

 

[Darren Blake]

It's pretty obvious the previous builder had no clue....

 

[Darren Blake]

The scary this is when people who claim to build engines ask "How did you figure out there was no oil to the passenger side rockers?"

 

[skipxt4]

Probably, a first time, Car Book Mechanic.

 

[303Radar]

I might say second time Car Book Mechanic. Managed to get the correct cam bearing in the correct location. Ability to align it correctly on the other hand...