Hole in block...

**01ws6er** · 10-03-2008, 10:38 AM

That's right, I go to start up my car this morning and it's idling low and sounded like it was missing, so I got out to check and all of a sudden I heard this horrible chattering noise so I shut it off immediately. I looked underneath and saw a chunk of aluminum (a little bit bigger than a quarter) laying on the ground!!! I get underneath and my worst fear was confirmed; I have a hole in the block right behind the motor mount on the passenger side.

I just took pics, but my batteries in my camera took a dump,so I have to wait until they re-charge to post them.

I've got 1,000,000 things swirling through my head right now, but Id like to hear some other people' thoughts on what to do in terms of a rebuild...? Car has 85,xxx on the clock, so I'm thinking maybe have the rotating assembly specced and see if it's worth re-using and re-furbing, and just buying a new/used block and slappin it back together. Another idea would be to buy an lq4/lq9 motor and swap it in, with the intent of going bigger cubes in the future... (can't really afford the heads, cam, intake, drivetrain upgrades, etc, etc, right now) As of right now my budget is only about $1500, but now I have all winter to save up and put money aside...Thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!!

**Mr. Luos** · 10-03-2008, 10:44 AM

Hole in block = more than a rebuild.

There is a freeze plug in that area. Is it that by chance?

**01ws6er** · 10-03-2008, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by Mr. Luos

Hole in block = more than a rebuild.

There is a freeze plug in that area. Is it that by chance?

Kinda what I figured... It's definately not the freeze plug, cause it's still in lol, and I'm leaking oil, not coolant. Still waiting for batteries to charge and then you'll be able to see it.

There is a chunk of the block laying on the ground...

**Mr. Luos** · 10-03-2008, 10:49 AM

So the block is dead.

Gonna be hard to determine what you have to replace and what (if anything) will be re-useable.
When it pukes like that, it is normally everything.

Maybe a used LQx for now...
Probably won't find an LS1 replacement on that tight of a budget.

**01ws6er** · 10-03-2008, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by Mr. Luos

So the block is dead.

Gonna be hard to determine what you have to replace and what (if anything) will be re-useable.
When it pukes like that, it is normally everything.

Maybe a used LQx for now...
Probably won't find an LS1 replacement on that tight of a budget.

Yea figured that...I know Hi-po is putting down some pretty impressive #'s with his LQ4 motor before the FAST 92/92, and with the stock truck cam...Maybe that is the way to go for now, then punch her out later.

I'm pretty sure some shit fell into the motor too, cause it was chattering like HELL for about 5 seconds until I could shut it off...

Is the aluminum block worth anything...?

**Mr. Luos** · 10-03-2008, 10:57 AM

Not with a hole in it.

**01ws6er** · 10-03-2008, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by Mr. Luos

Not with a hole in it.

I meant if I scrap it haha...

**Mr. Luos** · 10-03-2008, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by 01ws6er

I meant if I scrap it haha...

I doubt it is worth much.

Any idea what caused it? Mileage?

**01ws6er** · 10-03-2008, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by Mr. Luos

I doubt it is worth much.

Any idea what caused it? Mileage?

No clue really...? I drive it once or twice a week, usually pretty easy on it...Oil changed frequently enough (PP 10w-30 insummer, 5w30 in winter and it's changed every 5,000 miles)

My motor mounts are WEAK AS SHIT and when I was under the car last week getting my exhaust work done th guy said I should get new mounts. I was going to order them next friday...When I was under there this morning I noticed cracks in the block right in the area of the mounts...and obviously, the hole!

**01ws6er** · 10-03-2008, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by Mr. Luos

I doubt it is worth much.

Any idea what caused it? Mileage?

oh, and 85,xxx on the clock

**Mr. Luos** · 10-03-2008, 11:08 AM

Interested to see pictures once you get inside of that motor.

Good luck!
Feel free to PM me if you need help (if you plan on doing the swap).

**01ws6er** · 10-03-2008, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by Mr. Luos

Interested to see pictures once you get inside of that motor.

Good luck!

I'll keep it updated, thanks!

Do you know of any good guide for the LQX swap? I'm probably gonna pull the motor out the bottom, but I don't have a lift (or a garage yet, because my landlords daughter still has shit in it), so I was thinking maybe some tall ass jack stands (they use them for off roading), or lifting the body up from the shock towers?

**Mr. Luos** · 10-03-2008, 11:13 AM

That is how I did it.
Put the rear on ramps, use a STB to lift the car using a hoist.

**TempleU_WS6** · 10-03-2008, 11:21 AM

The worst dude! what a bummer. Hope you can get it up and running soon. You could maybe store up in my garage.

we'll talk about it.

**01ws6er** · 10-03-2008, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by Mr. Luos

That is how I did it.
Put the rear on ramps, use a STB to lift the car using a hoist.

Did u use an engine hoist? How many pounds was it rated for? I know someone who can fab me up some plates for the strut towers, and then I can just lift it up from there.

Don't you have to tap a bolt hole in the head or block for the alternator on an LQx?

**01ws6er** · 10-03-2008, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by TempleU_WS6

The worst dude! what a bummer. Hope you can get it up and running soon. You could maybe store up in my garage.

we'll talk about it.

Yea, it sucks! I didn't wanna replace the motor until the car was paid off haha but such is life...

Thanks for the offer on the garage space, I'll have to see what's up with my landlord and if she can get some shit out ASAP haha... I wanna get the motor outta the car soon though...

**Mr. Luos** · 10-03-2008, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by 01ws6er

Don't you have to tap a bolt hole in the head or block for the alternator?

You should.

And I think the hoist was a 2 ton hoist.

**HASTINGSRJ** · 10-03-2008, 11:24 AM

I have a stock block, 22k miles on it...forged rod bolts...heading up the east coast on the 16th of Oct....

http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97039

**TempleU_WS6** · 10-03-2008, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by HASTINGSRJ

I have a stock block, 22k miles on it...forged rod bolts...heading up the east coast on the 16th of Oct....

http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97039

Yeah Bry, i was gonna hook you up with that link. Check it out!

**01ws6er** · 10-03-2008, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by HASTINGSRJ

I have a stock block, 22k miles on it...forged rod bolts...heading up the east coast on the 16th of Oct....

http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97039

What the hell is a heli-coil lol? The rotating assembly is from a stock Ls6, just the rod bolts are forged, correct? No detenation issues on the juice? Can you PM me pics of the shortblock and rotating assembly? Thanks.