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#1
05-29-2005, 07:50 PM
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Re: HIPO GM crate engines
We installed and briefly test fired/ran the new Ram-Jet ZL1 crate engine last Monday in my 69 Chevelle inside the shop...without a load, everything seemed fine. Then, last Friday, we pulled the Chevelle outside the shop under it's own power to set up for a road test mile or two. At high idle RPM while in gear doing a clutch/shift test in the parking lot, we suddenly heard rod noise! We immediately shut it down and yanked the engine to find EVERY rod cap nut was only speed wrench tight [less than 10 TQ] and the mains held less that 45 TQ. The rod/main bearings appear to be the only damage, but with the Memorial Holiday weekend, it'll be Tuesday before new bearings/gaskets arrive for another test run Tuesday evening.
SS 
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#2
05-29-2005, 07:58 PM
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Re: HIPO GM crate engines
That SUCKS! I would make sure GM picks up the tab on that little brain-fart, and the best case scenario would be to just slap in a new short block...but there's probably not another RJZL-1 short block within 500 miles! I wish ya all the luck in the world...
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#3
05-29-2005, 08:26 PM
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Re: HIPO GM crate engines
[ QUOTE ]
...but there's probably not another RJZL-1 short block within 500 miles! [/ QUOTE ] especially tough to find in this condition... SS
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#4
05-29-2005, 08:37 PM
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Re: HIPO GM crate engines
WoW
 That's a cool engine Steve...have you tried looking for another engine yet? I know that Guaranty Chevrolet in Santa Ana California supplied the engines used in the TV show Overhaulin'. They have a HUGE warehouse for GM performance parts/engines... Ask for the parts manager Carl Lutes...  Guaranty Chevrolet 711 E. 17th Street Santa Ana, CA 92701 Phone (800) 569-4708 Fax (714) 973-8207
__________________
Bruce Choose Life-Donate!
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#5
05-29-2005, 08:52 PM
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Re: HIPO GM crate engines
Steve, you may want to contact a engine builder named Jim Van Gordon out here in southern California. He has had a bunch of experince with going thru these crate motors for people before they get installed. I asked him about a ZL1 motor for my camaro and he told me about some issues that he came accross. His number is 1-909-946-5991. In fact he just got done fitting a 572 in a 69 camaro and it suprised me on the amount of custom fabrication it took to make that motor fit and work in the car.
Mark Sheppard
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#6
05-29-2005, 08:56 PM
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Re: HIPO GM crate engines
Thanks Mark...I'll try to reach him on Tuesday. The crate engine was the one part of this car build that I figured would go smoothly
 SS
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#7
05-29-2005, 09:14 PM
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Re: HIPO GM crate engines
WOW!!! Thanks for the info. I am going to put a BB crate motor in my truck soon, I guess I will have it checked out.
Phil 
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