If you read the start of this thread, I spun a rod bearing during a hard 1/4 mile run with a stock oil pan. Might have been my fault, might have been the quality of the rebuild 5000 miles ago.
So I yank the motor and take it to Valley Machine. The have been in the same place since, forever. The guy knows his stuff. 4 weeks later I get the motor back and get it back in the car, along with a Kevko 8 qt oil pan.
260 miles into the break-in driving sequence I get ANOTHER rod knock.
I change the oil and sho 'nuff, there is that golden shimmer in the oil. I cut open the oil filter and there is bearing material in the pleats. So I take my oil filter, and my receipt back to Valley Machine to find a sign on the locked door. The proprietor retired the business and closed his doors!
The guy must have rushed the rebuild and short cut the process of checking the rods, because it was the same rod bearing that failed the first time.
I do not need this project again, but I'm getting damn good yanking the motor. Did this one in 6 hours.
The third rebuild went to Russ Fulp in Anaheim. I should have gone to him a year and a half ago. He turned around the motor in 2 weeks, and recommended some other mods like full roller rockers. Russ knows his stuff.
Got the motor back on Thursday, and took the car around the neighborhood today. I'm getting damn quick at engine changes.
The motor sounds sweet and happy. I'm happy. A bit poorer, and wiser, but happy!
