Motor troubles again!!!

J

jim d.

New member
Dec 23, 2017
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Just when I thought the fridge was the worst of my trouble, we are yet stranded again. New S&J motor with less than 2,000 miles on it and we are at a
garage because 20 mins into our departure from the campground the coach was making the dreaded knock. Pulled off the highway and fortunately there was
a service garage less than 2 miles away and made it there. Mechanic thinks it's a rod just be listening to it. I pulled the plug wires one at a time
to hopefully narrow it down but still makes the same terrible noise regardless. Shop we're at now is already swamped and not really equipped for our
rig but they are letting us crash in the parking lot till morning. Plus to add insult to injury it looks like the shop in Utah jacked up the coach and
bent the radiator support along with the radiator. My fault for not looking over the coach more thoroughly when we picked it back up from getting the
motors swapped.Just venting here not a whole lot I can do at this point. Thanks
Jim and Jen stuck in Ohio till further notice.
--
Jim DeMellia and Jen Radefeld and our cat Ickis
NH natives
1975 GMC “Palm Beach” ,455, her names Linda
Full time RVers exploring the beautiful and unusual parts of the country.
 
Jim,

Do you know if the company that R&R'd the engine had the radiator oil cooler cleaned?

How close are you to:

Grandview Motorhome Inc.
13880 Weaver Rd
Marysville, OH 43040

http://grandviewmotorhome.com/index.html

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808


-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Jim D.
Sent: Monday, June 4, 2018 5:18 PM
To: gmclist
Subject: [GMCnet] Motor troubles again!!!

Just when I thought the fridge was the worst of my trouble, we are yet stranded again. New S&J motor with less than 2,000 miles on it and we are at a garage because 20 mins into our departure from the campground the coach was making the dreaded knock. Pulled off the highway and fortunately there was a service garage less than 2 miles away and made it there. Mechanic thinks it's a rod just be listening to it. I pulled the plug wires one at a time to hopefully narrow it down but still makes the same terrible noise regardless. Shop we're at now is already swamped and not really equipped for our rig but they are letting us crash in the parking lot till morning. Plus to add insult to injury it looks like the shop in Utah jacked up the coach and bent the radiator support along with the radiator. My fault for not looking over the coach more thoroughly when we picked it back up from getting the motors swapped. Just venting here not a whole lot I can do at this point. Thanks
Jim and Jen stuck in Ohio till further notice.
--
Jim DeMellia and Jen Radefeld and our cat Ickis
 
Rob. I don’t think they did unless they didn’t mention it to me. We have a new aluminum radiator. The shop that installed the motor added a secondary inline oil filter because they didn’t want any chance of metal making it into the new motor. But we’re about an 1.5hrs away from the shop you mentioned. We’re in Mansfield,Ohio and kind of at the mercy or Good Sam towing. We can’t afford an expensive tow bill.

Sent from my iPhone

>
> Jim,
>
> Do you know if the company that R&R'd the engine had the radiator oil cooler cleaned?
>
> How close are you to:
>
> Grandview Motorhome Inc.
> 13880 Weaver Rd
> Marysville, OH 43040
>
> http://grandviewmotorhome.com/index.html
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> The Pedantic Mechanic
> Sydney, Australia
> AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
> USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
> USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Jim D.
> Sent: Monday, June 4, 2018 5:18 PM
> To: gmclist
> Subject: [GMCnet] Motor troubles again!!!
>
> Just when I thought the fridge was the worst of my trouble, we are yet stranded again. New S&J motor with less than 2,000 miles on it and we are at a garage because 20 mins into our departure from the campground the coach was making the dreaded knock. Pulled off the highway and fortunately there was a service garage less than 2 miles away and made it there. Mechanic thinks it's a rod just be listening to it. I pulled the plug wires one at a time to hopefully narrow it down but still makes the same terrible noise regardless. Shop we're at now is already swamped and not really equipped for our rig but they are letting us crash in the parking lot till morning. Plus to add insult to injury it looks like the shop in Utah jacked up the coach and bent the radiator support along with the radiator. My fault for not looking over the coach more thoroughly when we picked it back up from getting the motors swapped. Just venting here not a whole lot I can do at this point. Thanks
> Jim and Jen stuck in Ohio till further notice.
> --
> Jim DeMellia and Jen Radefeld and our cat Ickis
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
​​
Jim,

I don't know any of the specifics of Good Sam towing, but most services
(certainly including the Allstate RV Roadhelp which I've used for 20+
years) commit to towing to "the nearest capable repair facility", or
similar terms. In that case, you should insist that the tow service
verifies that their proposed destination has "recent 73-78 GMC FRONT WHEEL
DRIVE motorhome service experience, including engine removal and
replacement". That requirement will cause most garages to refuse to
receive you and will force the service to take you to someone who can and
will. My last tow was 384 miles because I convinced them that the next
closest location was 600+ miles away.

Ken "Many Tows"​
H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI & EBL,
Manny Brakes & 1-Ton, Troy-Bilt APU, etc., etc., etc.
www.gmcwipersetc.com

On Mon, Jun 4, 2018 at 6:57 PM Jim DeMellia
wrote:

> ​...
> We’re in Mansfield,Ohio and kind of at the mercy or Good Sam towing. We
> can’t afford an expensive tow bill.
>
>
 
Jimmy,

IF you have a rod knock, i.e. have spun a bearing or have some other bottom end issue, you will have very low,to non-existent oil pressure. A cold
engine, even with a bearing problem, will have decent oil pressure and will not make (much) noise.

Cross your fingers that the problem is something like a bent push rod, or a displaced rocker arm, or something more simple than a rod knock.
--
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
 
Ken,

Mansfield, OH to Marysville, OH = 1 h 16 min (79.4 mi) via I-71 S.

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808

-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Ken Henderson
Sent: Monday, June 4, 2018 6:22 PM
To: GMC Mail List
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Motor troubles again!!!

​​
Jim,

I don't know any of the specifics of Good Sam towing, but most services
(certainly including the Allstate RV Roadhelp which I've used for 20+
years) commit to towing to "the nearest capable repair facility", or
similar terms. In that case, you should insist that the tow service
verifies that their proposed destination has "recent 73-78 GMC FRONT WHEEL
DRIVE motorhome service experience, including engine removal and
replacement". That requirement will cause most garages to refuse to
receive you and will force the service to take you to someone who can and
will. My last tow was 384 miles because I convinced them that the next
closest location was 600+ miles away.

Ken "Many Tows"​
H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI & EBL,
Manny Brakes & 1-Ton, Troy-Bilt APU, etc., etc., etc.
www.gmcwipersetc.com

On Mon, Jun 4, 2018 at 6:57 PM Jim DeMellia
wrote:

> ​...
> We’re in Mansfield,Ohio and kind of at the mercy or Good Sam towing. We
> can’t afford an expensive tow bill.
>
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Carl I’m hoping for the best as well sir. The coaches oil pressure hovered right around the halfway mark and 3/4 mark when the engine got up to temperature from the day we got it back with the new engine. When we finally got pulled over it was right on the halfway mark. When we blew the first more at 162k there was no oil pressure at all. So I remember what that looks and sounds like. This doesn’t have that same knock and skips more than the constant sound of a spun bearing. Just very worrisome for a brand new motor with such little mileage and frustrating at the same time.

Sent from my iPhone

>
> Jimmy,
>
> IF you have a rod knock, i.e. have spun a bearing or have some other bottom end issue, you will have very low,to non-existent oil pressure. A cold
> engine, even with a bearing problem, will have decent oil pressure and will not make (much) noise.
>
> Cross your fingers that the problem is something like a bent push rod, or a displaced rocker arm, or something more simple than a rod knock.
> --
> Carl Stouffer
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
> Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
> Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Sounds like loose torque converter bolts, or a separated engine balancer.
You should be able to isolate a rod knock.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC ROYALE 403

> Carl I’m hoping for the best as well sir. The coaches oil pressure hovered
> right around the halfway mark and 3/4 mark when the engine got up to
> temperature from the day we got it back with the new engine. When we
> finally got pulled over it was right on the halfway mark. When we blew the
> first more at 162k there was no oil pressure at all. So I remember what
> that looks and sounds like. This doesn’t have that same knock and skips
> more than the constant sound of a spun bearing. Just very worrisome for a
> brand new motor with such little mileage and frustrating at the same time.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>

> >
> > Jimmy,
> >
> > IF you have a rod knock, i.e. have spun a bearing or have some other
> bottom end issue, you will have very low,to non-existent oil pressure. A
> cold
> > engine, even with a bearing problem, will have decent oil pressure and
> will not make (much) noise.
> >
> > Cross your fingers that the problem is something like a bent push rod,
> or a displaced rocker arm, or something more simple than a rod knock.
> > --
> > Carl Stouffer
> > '75 ex Palm Beach
> > Tucson, AZ.
> > Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive,
> Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American
> Eagles,
> > Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Why isn’t Grandview on the “Blacklist”.

Sent from my iPhone

>
> Sounds like loose torque converter bolts, or a separated engine balancer.
> You should be able to isolate a rod knock.
> Jim Hupy
> Salem, Or
> 78 GMC ROYALE 403
>

>>
>> Carl I’m hoping for the best as well sir. The coaches oil pressure hovered
>> right around the halfway mark and 3/4 mark when the engine got up to
>> temperature from the day we got it back with the new engine. When we
>> finally got pulled over it was right on the halfway mark. When we blew the
>> first more at 162k there was no oil pressure at all. So I remember what
>> that looks and sounds like. This doesn’t have that same knock and skips
>> more than the constant sound of a spun bearing. Just very worrisome for a
>> brand new motor with such little mileage and frustrating at the same time.
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>

>>>
>>> Jimmy,
>>>
>>> IF you have a rod knock, i.e. have spun a bearing or have some other
>> bottom end issue, you will have very low,to non-existent oil pressure. A
>> cold
>>> engine, even with a bearing problem, will have decent oil pressure and
>> will not make (much) noise.
>>>
>>> Cross your fingers that the problem is something like a bent push rod,
>> or a displaced rocker arm, or something more simple than a rod knock.
>>> --
>>> Carl Stouffer
>>> '75 ex Palm Beach
>>> Tucson, AZ.
>>> Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive,
>> Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American
>> Eagles,
>>> Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> GMCnet mailing list
>>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
You can dis connect spark plug wire to each. If the knock goes away or
quiets down, then it is that cylinder.

> Sounds like loose torque converter bolts, or a separated engine balancer.
> You should be able to isolate a rod knock.
> Jim Hupy
> Salem, Or
> 78 GMC ROYALE 403
>
> On Mon, Jun 4, 2018, 5:10 PM Jim DeMellia

>
> > Carl I’m hoping for the best as well sir. The coaches oil pressure
> hovered
> > right around the halfway mark and 3/4 mark when the engine got up to
> > temperature from the day we got it back with the new engine. When we
> > finally got pulled over it was right on the halfway mark. When we blew
> the
> > first more at 162k there was no oil pressure at all. So I remember what
> > that looks and sounds like. This doesn’t have that same knock and skips
> > more than the constant sound of a spun bearing. Just very worrisome for a
> > brand new motor with such little mileage and frustrating at the same
> time.
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> >

> > >
> > > Jimmy,
> > >
> > > IF you have a rod knock, i.e. have spun a bearing or have some other
> > bottom end issue, you will have very low,to non-existent oil pressure.
> A
> > cold
> > > engine, even with a bearing problem, will have decent oil pressure and
> > will not make (much) noise.
> > >
> > > Cross your fingers that the problem is something like a bent push rod,
> > or a displaced rocker arm, or something more simple than a rod knock.
> > > --
> > > Carl Stouffer
> > > '75 ex Palm Beach
> > > Tucson, AZ.
> > > Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final
> drive,
> > Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American
> > Eagles,
> > > Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > GMCnet mailing list
> > > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
Remove or loosen the drive belts. Start the engine and run for not more than 45 seconds. If the knock is gone, start looking for an accessory making
the noise. Check the front pulley (harmonic balancer) and make sure it is tight.

I have a friend that developed a knock in a newly installed engine. He pulled the engine a second time only to find that they had slightly dented
the oil pan in on the bottom so one of the rods was slightly hitting the pan. The knock did not show up for several hundred miles.


--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
Jim,

http://www.bdub.net/Black_List/origin.html

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808


-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Jim DeMellia
Sent: Monday, June 4, 2018 7:43 PM
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Motor troubles again!!!

Why isn’t Grandview on the “Blacklist”.

Sent from my iPhone
 
>
> Why isn’t Grandview on the “Blacklist”.
>

Probably because the Black List is a list of owners who have ofered to assist other GMCers in trouble at no charge.

Grandview Motorhomes is a “dealer” or service location that gets paid for their service when they work on your motorhome.


Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO
 
We at Applied GMC will let people stay here and use vehicles to go
shopping,etc. We open the shop to them if they can do somework on their own
and evn have our techs assist them a little.
Reguler customers are charged for work.
Tom at Grandview has cut down on repairs only to his existing customers so
he does not list on the Black List.
 
Best to call Tom at Grandview. If he can't do it he may know others in the area mechanic pool.
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
 
Brand new motor is junk. There’s a garage here very competent and capable that just diagnosed it. No oil getting to top of the motor which means no oil getting anywhere else. I’m beyond livid at this point with the amount of money we’ve spent in motor swap and hotels and rental cars.

Sent from my iPhone

>
> Best to call Tom at Grandview. If he can't do it he may know others in the area mechanic pool.
> --
> John Lebetski
> Woodstock, IL
> 77 Eleganza II
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
OK - lots are thinking it - so I will just come rite out and say it!
Jim Demillia:
Have you contacted the company that installed your "New/Junk" engine? Any help there? If not - be sure to publish there name and location so we can all avoid them like the plague!
The revenge might salve your wounds a bit also!
Also, be sure the shop you are at really knows GMC MH engines and their replacement B 4 you get whistle bit again.
Any number of GMCers on this site can tell you what to look for/be careful of - don't be afraid to reach out!
Mike/The Corvair a holic

Sent from my iPhone

>
> Brand new motor is junk. There’s a garage here very competent and capable that just diagnosed it. No oil getting to top of the motor which means no oil getting anywhere else. I’m beyond livid at this point with the amount of money we’ve spent in motor swap and hotels and rental cars.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>

>>
>> Best to call Tom at Grandview. If he can't do it he may know others in the area mechanic pool.
>> --
>> John Lebetski
>> Woodstock, IL
>> 77 Eleganza II
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Jim De. My first phone call would be to S & J in Spokane, Wa. Look through
your paper work for their engine number, and check for the warranty paper
work. Be prepared, and controlled and respectful. They are good people. If
I can help from here, let me know.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC ROYALE 403

> OK - lots are thinking it - so I will just come rite out and say it!
> Jim Demillia:
> Have you contacted the company that installed your "New/Junk" engine? Any
> help there? If not - be sure to publish there name and location so we can
> all avoid them like the plague!
> The revenge might salve your wounds a bit also!
> Also, be sure the shop you are at really knows GMC MH engines and their
> replacement B 4 you get whistle bit again.
> Any number of GMCers on this site can tell you what to look for/be careful
> of - don't be afraid to reach out!
> Mike/The Corvair a holic
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Jun 5, 2018, at 2:28 PM, Jim DeMellia

> >
> > Brand new motor is junk. There’s a garage here very competent and
> capable that just diagnosed it. No oil getting to top of the motor which
> means no oil getting anywhere else. I’m beyond livid at this point with the
> amount of money we’ve spent in motor swap and hotels and rental cars.
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> >
> >> On Jun 5, 2018, at 8:33 AM, John R. Lebetski

> >>
> >> Best to call Tom at Grandview. If he can't do it he may know others in
> the area mechanic pool.
> >> --
> >> John Lebetski
> >> Woodstock, IL
> >> 77 Eleganza II
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> GMCnet mailing list
> >> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> >> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
So, one should have noted low oil pressure.
Continue to drive without looking at gages is not right.
I don't know the whole story, but low oil pressure was never discussed.

> Jim De. My first phone call would be to S & J in Spokane, Wa. Look through
> your paper work for their engine number, and check for the warranty paper
> work. Be prepared, and controlled and respectful. They are good people. If
> I can help from here, let me know.
> Jim Hupy
> Salem, Or
> 78 GMC ROYALE 403
>

>
> > OK - lots are thinking it - so I will just come rite out and say it!
> > Jim Demillia:
> > Have you contacted the company that installed your "New/Junk" engine?
> Any
> > help there? If not - be sure to publish there name and location so we
> can
> > all avoid them like the plague!
> > The revenge might salve your wounds a bit also!
> > Also, be sure the shop you are at really knows GMC MH engines and their
> > replacement B 4 you get whistle bit again.
> > Any number of GMCers on this site can tell you what to look for/be
> careful
> > of - don't be afraid to reach out!
> > Mike/The Corvair a holic
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> >
> > > On Jun 5, 2018, at 2:28 PM, Jim DeMellia

> > >
> > > Brand new motor is junk. There’s a garage here very competent and
> > capable that just diagnosed it. No oil getting to top of the motor which
> > means no oil getting anywhere else. I’m beyond livid at this point with
> the
> > amount of money we’ve spent in motor swap and hotels and rental cars.
> > >
> > > Sent from my iPhone
> > >
> > >> On Jun 5, 2018, at 8:33 AM, John R. Lebetski >

> > >>
> > >> Best to call Tom at Grandview. If he can't do it he may know others
> in
> > the area mechanic pool.
> > >> --
> > >> John Lebetski
> > >> Woodstock, IL
> > >> 77 Eleganza II
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> _______________________________________________
> > >> GMCnet mailing list
> > >> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > >> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > GMCnet mailing list
> > > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
> Brand new motor is junk. There's a garage here very competent and capable that just diagnosed it. No oil getting to top of the motor which means
> no oil getting anywhere else. I'm beyond livid at this point with the amount of money we've spent in motor swap and hotels and rental cars.

Jimmy,

Stand back, inhale, and read this through.
2000 miles is about 50 hours on the engine and that is well past the time that one expects an infant mortality failure.
I am not saying that you should be less aggravated than you are, but I have recently has reason to learn a great deal more about the Olds 455 than I
knew last fall.

Before you pay to have anything else done, drain the oil pan and look for metal. Then remove the filter and find someone with a filter cutting tool
(don't use a saw) and spread out the element. You may only see brass. Then, pull up the distributor and inspect the gear.

The lubricating oil circuit in these engines is such that, if you saw oil pressure on the gauge and that gauge was responsive (as in it went to zero
when off and came up after starting) then, most of the important parts did get oil. I happen to know that the oil pressure sender is at the front of
the left bank gallery. (I proved this yesterday when priming the lubricating oil system of my own 455. The I put the sender back in....)

What this man is probably seeing is no oil to the left back lash adjusters and he is assuming that is why one lash adjuster has collapsed. This is
what is called a "Common Mode Failure". When even one of the hydraulic lash adjusters looses its oil feed, it will cause a serious racket. This may
also mean that there was no oil flow to the distributor gear, but if that failed, the engine stops right now, so that is not high on the list. The
engine was still running, so I would bet against this.

Having one or more lash adjusters collapse does fit your description. Unfortunately, that still means clearing the FEAD (Front Engine Accessory
Drive) and lifting the intake and cylinder head covers. If you have the iron intake that thing is a bear to lift out of the hole. Find a carburetor
plate and rig tackle. When you identify the collapsed lash adjuster, be ready with carburetor cleaner and paper towels. They are simple to
disassemble and clean. There are about an half a dozen little parts in there that disappear real fast if given the chance. Please start with the
simple things and hope your guardian angle doesn't mind overtime.

So, if my guess is not correct, the engine still has to come out, because clearing that left gallery can't be done with the engine in place. If we
can hope, the main, rod and cam bearings may still be good. Actually, Other than the top end as suggested, there isn't much that can be done with
the engine still in the hole.

Now, just so you know why I have this confidence, I worked in engine durability for a very long time. I got to write lots of failure reports and some
were for disposition. (For disposition means that someone was suing the company and I was the company's witness.)

Matt - Reassembling his own 455 these days
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
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