Well one thing turned into another and the dang thing didn't get done last Thursday either, well it didn't get put in any way. Engine is done! mounted on Sub frame but sitting on little lift. I had forgotten I needed a Rack and Pinion as seals were blown out and main sleeve bushing blown out boot torn. Picking it all up at 1pm Monday should be all back together shortly after that cant wait to fire it up. Headers are on the engine ready to go up Im sure I am gonna have fun with them in the way, then the X cross over and welding the pipes to my old stuff not gonna be fun Im sure.

Oh and the Intake off my Fire-bird Race car project in back yard did have a LS6 intake! its all on the engine now I was happy about that. I still need to install the new crank shaft bearing and New clutch before install gonna be very busy tomorrow glad I have an extra day off this week.

Well its in Headers and all, I hate headers! what a Pain! first tried going in fully assembled nope! pull alternator and right header Got engine in and bolted to drive shaft and bolted up Sub frame. Then installed suspension then right header from above easy enough? then try to install starter NOPE! so I remove header install starter and try to reinstall header NOPE! OK hook up wires to starter leave starter hanging loose install right header from above bolt it all on engine then install starter what a Pain! getting to long starter bolt UNCOMMONLY restricted is an understatement.

I still need to do something about air conditioning hose, its has a heat blanket on it but its right up against one of the tubes not nice.
I also have to deleat cat after o2 sensors and make up O2 harness extensions for o2 sensors I am keeping as the o2 sensors are being moved down to collector area and modify my EGR system to work with the headers the headers had the provision but have different locations from stock as they were built to fit multiple C5's.

Well I finally got it all back together today put oil in it and water was about to start it when I decided to do a quick leak check of everything and discovered the Left head gasket was leaking externally from about the center of the head. just a drop every minut or so but still NOT GOOD!

As it turns out 97-98 heads have a recess in the head right were im leaking from.
97-98 heads require a heavy composite type head gaskets my machinist got me Cometic head gaskets! so now I am in process of tearing it all apart again.

Doright wrote:...As it turns out 97-98 heads have a recess in the head right were im leaking from.
97-98 heads require a heavy composite type head gaskets my machinist got me Cometic head gaskets! so now I am in process of tearing it all apart again...

Sorry to hear that. That sucks! Is that engine for your vette? If so, what year?

A few years ago, I (almost) finished up my 69 that I dropped in a Fastburn 385 that I added the "Hot Cam" they called it. Also added a Holley C-900 EFI which was a PITA. Installed a Tremic 5-speed and an all new fiberglass sprung VPB suspension. Redid the leather interior and added a new Mercedes' black cloth top. Changed and modified the cowl hood, and installed a longer windshield as I eliminated the wiper door. I have the hard top for it, but the rear window was sitting on top of a stack of tires in my garage when an earthquake hit and guess what was the only thing other than one bottle of wine that got broken? (My friend's don't tell me that I over-engineered my house anymore)

Anyways, I did all that work and I just don't enjoy driving it all that much for some reason. Keep telling my wife that I am going to sell it as it basically just sits which is a waste of a decent car.

Its a 98
I really like your car cool mods you should drive that thing into the ground while the weather is nice. I miss my 74 BB Stingray 454 I loved that car.

I finished up getting the heads back off and I was correct the 97-98 heads have a Notch in the Deck, My machinist sold me a Generic LS kit for 2000 and newer Went back got a New set of regular old compost style Head gaskets and a set of ARP head bolts.
I wasn't gonna play with that Angle stretch bs again with the engine in the car.

Any way got em back on and torqued, got the headers back on it and all the valve train set up valve covers and coils on it. still need to do intake and wires a few hoses and power steering and finish up the headers down at the collectors. I saved all the original parts so My car can be put back the way it was.

Well after some problems brand new Bad crank sensor drove me nuts more a while, i thought maybe my Cam was 180 out??? but I am more than proficient at setting timing even on dual over head can engines then I thought maybe the coil packs mattered with left and right but a quick check of codes showed Crank sensor went back with my original rather than the new one it fired right off and it runs pretty good in my opinion Haven't driven it yet just got it running did a good leak check top off water. Then and now My fans wouldn't turn on so I shut it off at 210-220 ish.

I been at it all day and I know its a simple problem to fix after some good trouble shooting fuses are all good checked those, then made sure thermostat opened it did. fans are plugged in has to be a relay or a sensor.

I had already replaced the cyl head temp sensor in the lh head its brand new from Orileys....
I have no idea yet but my bet is clear all the codes try again.

I changed a lot of parts rebuilt the engine installed new Rack and pinion and it was a well used car with a blown engine to begin with when I got it plus I think it changed hands a few times before I got it.

But at this point I am happy the engine runs and it sounds really good! Zero funny noises from engine and a Bark you wouldn't believe from the exhaust.

For some reason I don't get notifications when something gets posted here, thought I had it set? Anyway great to hear from you Doug, it's been a really long time! Happy to hear you're finally finished the house project. You've certainly been busy Dennis! I'm still picking away at the stang, not at all happy with the clear they make now.

Hey Buddy
Whats wrong with the Clear? lets see some pics??

Trying to post pica

Haven't figured out how to post pics yet. It wouldn't matter, probably looks great in pics. It's when you look at it from all different angles you can see light scratches. It's supposed to be the best clear they have but it's a far cry from the DuPont stuff I used to use. Runs super easy and trash sinks in deep