Looking for Engine Rebuild Shops Central Illinois/Indy Area
I have a numbers matching 1971 LT1 that needs the motor rebuilt. The motor has never been opened except for new valve guides but is now burning oil and needs rebuilding. Looking for someone who works on corvettes near Champaign Illinois---that I can visit the facility and talk with about the car. Everything is on the car---smog unit, TI ignition, etc. Can someone also give me a ballpark cost. Thank you!!
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Re: Looking for Engine Rebuild Shops Central Illinois/Indy Area
Paul: Only a suggestion: Since you not that far from Effingham IL maybe a call to:
Mid America Motorworks
17082 N US Highway 45
Effingham, IL 62401-6764
Maybe they can suggest somebody. LarryLarry
LT1 in a 1LE -- One of 134 -
Re: Looking for Engine Rebuild Shops Central Illinois/Indy Area
WoW! One response. Hasn't anyone in the Midwest ever had a motor rebuilt? Maybe everyone rebuilds their own engine. Lets expand the area to Wisconsin, Indiana, and Illinois. Surely someone has restored their corvette and needed some engine work. Thank you.Comment
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71 Coupe, 350/270, 4 speed
Mason Dixon Chapter
Chapter Top Flight October 2011Comment
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Re: Looking for Engine Rebuild Shops Central Illinois/Indy Area
Hi Paul,
If I had an original LT1 any year I would likely ask Duke (on this site quite often) if he is interested and send it out to him. Too many horror stories of original blocks being decked and removing sn and engine code. I would likely do this even though mine is just an L46 if I could swing it. I realize freight will not be cheap but a truly original block is not replaceable.
Just a thought.
BillComment
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Re: Looking for Engine Rebuild Shops Central Illinois/Indy Area
I don't do engine rebuilds other than my own. I do consult with owners on engine system engineering issues and make recommendations on rebuilding plans and internal modifications, but it's up to owners to find a local machine shop to do the work, which they must manage closely.
In the case of a low compression, regular fuel, original LT-1, if the owner wants more power and increased rev range, massage the heads, and in any case raise the CR to 10-10.5 (true, measured) and use premium fuel and rework the spark advance map as outlined in my 2012 San Diego national convention presentation, the link to which has been posted here many times.
Most internal parts can be used as-is. The "pink" rods don't need to be reworked, and the crankshaft SHOULD NOT be "turned" unless absolutely necessary. Most valve train parts are likely usable other than a new cam and lifters, new exhaust valves and a new truck roller chain. The oil pump is likely reusable as is - just disassemble and inspect. If there is no damage from debris ingestion (likely) put it back together and reinstall; and any replacement parts (other than pistons) should be name brand OE replacement like Sealed Power. Of course, assuming the engine will need to be bored, new pistons to achieve the above recommended CR range will be necessary.
It's best if owner's can do their own disassembly, parts inspection and measurements, and engine reassembly, and only have a machine shop do specified tasks such as boring and valve guide rebuilding and valve seat grinding. If one relies on a machine shop to do all the work there is a lot more risk that good OE parts will be replaced with hot rod parts, and unnecessary machining operations will be performed.
The most important task for the owner is to thoroughly plan the project, including having a parts list (brand and part number) for any parts that MIGHT need to be replaced, and the list isn't that long. Unfortunately many owners do not use this, but rely on the machine shop, and this is how disasters happen.
DukeComment
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Re: Looking for Engine Rebuild Shops Central Illinois/Indy Area
Duke: I have never rebuild or disassembled an engine. I agree with your thought of keeping as much original as possible. The problem is finding someone you can trust to do the work this way. What are the "pink" rods? Can you send me a link to your article. I'm not sure how much work the engine even needs---all I can say is it doesn't run well and has about 90K miles. When the compression was checked in 2008 the values where between 175 and 190. Do you have any contacts in my area that might be able to recommend someone. Most of the places I see are race shops. WallifishrmnComment
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Re: Looking for Engine Rebuild Shops Central Illinois/Indy Area
Pink rods were standard 350 rod forgings that were Magnaflux inspected and, if qualified, heat treated to a higher hardness with shotpeened bolt and nut seats. They first showed up on the '69 Z-28 engine and were used for subsequent L-46 and LT-1 engines. They are the highest quality OE small block rod ever produced. The name comes from the splotch of pink paint that was used to ID them after completion. They're an order or magnitude better than early 327 rods and given their durability, they need nothing more than a dimensional check on an engine that has not seen a lot of high rev time, which is typical of road engines.
Given your mileage and compression numbers I have to question whether the engine needs major work.
When was the last time the dwell and timing was checked and adjusted, if necessary?
When was the last time the ignition primary and secondary components were checked including plug wire resistance?
When was the last time the valve lash was checked and adjusted, as necessary?
When was the last time the idle speed/mixture setting procedure was performed?
Saying the engine doesn't "run well" doesn't tell me anything. Be specific.
Any emission controlled engine's performance and fuel economy can be improved by modifiying the spark advance map. Google duke williams ncrs san diego and download the pdf of the Power Point slides.
Your engine needs to be evaluated by someone who understands vintage engines, and it may need nothing more than a major tuneup. Perhaps there is someone in your local chapter that can assist. I've evaluated several engines from local chapter members and often poor operation is due to something simple like dwell, timing, and idle mixture.
Work on the above before you commit thousands of dollars to something that may be unnecessary.
Most rebuild shops say they do "race engines". That doesn't mean they can't do "engine restoration", but you have to talk to them to see if they understand what you want done, and more importantly, what you DO NOT want done, but you're not there yet.
Vintage engines need regular inspections and tune-ups, and emission controlled engines are somewhat more complicated because the emission control equipment can misbehave and cause poor operation. That's very different from modern engines that run perfectly for years and tens of thousands of miles with nothing but oil and filter changes and a set of plugs at 100K, but I think some vintage car owners don't understand that vintage engines need regular periodic tune-ups that consist of a few checks and adjustments and maybe some new parts in the ignition system.
DukeComment
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