Look at my plug. Engine is down for sure,Thoughts?

**Hi-Po** · 03-23-2010, 05:32 PM

Well, I wasn't let down when I finally started looking at my TA. Last time I went to the track last year, I had some serious engine smoking issues. The last two passe's smoked horribly. The last pass looked like i had a smoke machine behind me. Not good. I did drive it home (~40 minutes) and have started it up a few times over the winter for giggles. I finally jacked the car up today to find two bad oil leaks. Cylinder 7 and cylinder 6 have oil dripping from where the header meets the head. Not good

. I pulled the plug from cylinder 7 and found this.

I did a compression check on that cylinder and didn't get any reading at all. Was working by myself, so I'm going to attempt it tomorrow when I have a extra set of hands hopefully. What would you guy do? I obviously need the heads refurbished. I know this for a fact from that piece of shit Tim's valve spring tool. Now I am seriously feeling the shortblock is also gone. I'm in a real tough spot here, I don't wanna build another NA setup. I'm dying to go FI and feel buying any NA engine is just blowing my money away because it will not be staying NA, guaranteed. I'm a little strapped for cash right now. I kinda just felt like sharing my awesome spark plug with everyone

**c5z28** · 03-23-2010, 05:34 PM

I'm subscribed for pics to come, it seems if it can break you always manage.

**Hi-Po** · 03-23-2010, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by c5z28

I'm subscribed for pics to come, it seems if it can break you always manage.

Thanks

I'm sure the 70+ 1/4 mile pass's last year and a few thousand spirited miles had something to do with it.

**cammed goat** · 03-23-2010, 06:04 PM

Maybe a used LQ9 block and build that up for either N/A or FI?

**importhater81** · 03-23-2010, 06:05 PM

No offense,but what ever you do decide to build...the first thing I would do is get rid of the Autolite Ford plugs!!!

**Hi-Po** · 03-23-2010, 06:06 PM

Also, the car doesn't smoke at idle. That's the one thing that has me thinking there is a slight chance the shortblock is good. If it is, then I will fix the heads/valves and roll with it for one more race season.

**Hi-Po** · 03-23-2010, 06:08 PM

Originally Posted by cammed goat

Maybe a used LQ9 block and build that up for either N/A or FI?

Well, LQ9 is the higher compression of the two. The shortblock in it right now is a LQ4 (9.4:1) but with a small 58CC chamber. Im hoping I can redo the heads and roll with it.

**pajeff02** · 03-23-2010, 06:08 PM

Damn... that sucks big time! Odd that both banks are sucking oil. Best guess as to what died?

**Hi-Po** · 03-23-2010, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by importhater81

No offense,but what ever you do decide to build...the first thing I would do is get rid of the Autolite Ford plugs!!!

They did me just fine, but when I put new plugs I will go back to NGK TR55.

**Hi-Po** · 03-23-2010, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by pajeff02

Damn... that sucks big time! Odd that both banks are sucking oil. Best guess as to what died?

Best Guess:

Nicks on the valve stem worn the valve guides down allowing oil past. This stemming from a poor valve spring compressor that pushed a few retainers into the valve stem. I did my best to remove the nicks.
I think at high RPM oil is getting past the guides and causing the blue smoke.

Engine and transmission are coming out regardless. I wish I had the money for a 4L80E with a brake to put back in.

The oil dipstick shot out on my last run, that has me worrying slightly.

**pajeff02** · 03-23-2010, 06:22 PM

Sounds like you are already FI... just not in a good way. Pics of whatever you find on teardown please.

**Hi-Po** · 03-23-2010, 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by pajeff02

Sounds like you are already FI... just not in a good way. Pics of whatever you find on teardown please.

Yup, will do. Probably wont be for awhile. I'm in a sticky situation with where my car is parked and where I will be working on it. Cant have it down for extended periods of time, and if I get it torn down with nothing to replace it, I'm screwed. Still got to figure that one out.

**cammed goat** · 03-23-2010, 06:27 PM

Make sure the rings are OK as well.

**tatertot91** · 03-23-2010, 06:29 PM

That sucks man, hope you get her fixed up ssoon... and relatively cheap.

**Smittro** · 03-23-2010, 07:43 PM

Imho broken ring lands and torn up valve guides.. Motor is toast imho.. Hope it works out for ya.

**Z28boy2000** · 03-23-2010, 07:48 PM

i dread finding something like that on my car one day, interested to see what happend

**Hi-Po** · 03-23-2010, 08:01 PM

Yea, motor is not looking good. Things could be worse, at least I still have the car

I just gotta make a decision on what avenue I'm gonna go down.

A - let car sit all race season / not spend money on a build I wont be happy with in the long run

B - fix the engine myself and get the heads re-worked. Hope to come out of it fairly cheap and run it this season NA.

**mark21742** · 03-23-2010, 08:24 PM

There is option C- come down here and we can build her back up

**pajeff02** · 03-24-2010, 07:53 AM

I have no idea -- is that a stock LS1 block, or something you upgraded to?

**5abivt** · 03-24-2010, 09:12 AM

Valve guides for sure. Most likely when the head is filling up with oil it starts to seep in and suck tons in. Plugs look better than mine when I had problems.. ill get a pic or two.. I'm sure itll make you feel better. To give you an idea, picture dropping a valve at 7700 rpm