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#1
06-03-2017, 11:07 PM
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My 557 block carnage
Some entertaining pics of my broken 557 engine. 15 years of abuse it finally let go.
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#2
06-03-2017, 11:29 PM
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Ouch.
__________________
Michael  Oshawa built 1 option Judge basket case. 463, SD KRE 295's, CNC'd factory intake, Cliff's Qjet, Stump Puller HR cam, RARE RA manifolds, Pypes exhaust, T56 Magnum, McLeod RXT clutch, 3.42 12 bolt. 24 year project almost done... 
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#3
06-04-2017, 06:05 AM
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If you crack some Rods open do the bearings still clip in or fall out?
__________________
Wernher Von Braun warned before his retirement from NASA back in 1972, that the next world war would be against the ETs! And he was not talking about 1/8 or 1/4 mile ETs! 1) 1940s 100% silver 4 cup tea server set. Two dry rotted 14 x 10 Micky Thompson slicks. 1) un-mailed in gift coupon from a 1972 box of corn flakes. Two pairs of brown leather flip flops, never seen more then 2 mph. Education is what your left with once you forget things! |
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#4
06-04-2017, 07:19 AM
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Any time slips or build details so we can have a rough idea of how heavily you might've abused it? I think it is an awesome data point for the "to 557, or not to 557" debate.
And sorry for the carnage. But I would say 15 years it served you well.
__________________
"...ridge reamer and ring compressor? Do they have tools like that?" |
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#5
06-04-2017, 07:23 AM
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I used a 557 block at 575hp at 7000rpm for years ,ran 9.60's with it. It's still running strong(in a Camaro!). I wouldn't build a hi po engine with one now,but back then it was all I could get.
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#6
06-04-2017, 07:29 AM
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It's quite possible that the crank let go first, pic 3 shows that the rod bearing was moving about a bit, and in pic 5 the dark area of the cracked crank shows that the crack may have formed a while ago. It's always difficult to tell what let go first in these situations though.
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#7
06-04-2017, 08:20 AM
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what stroke were you running? can't complain about 15yrs. gives a good excuse to upgrade =)
looks similar to others that have let go.
__________________
1979 Firebird Trans Am 301/4spd (Now 428) 1977 Firebird Formula 400/Auto 2007 Grand Prix GXP 5.3L |
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#8
06-04-2017, 08:51 AM
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I see studs in the block and possibly ARP fasteners in the rods but otherwise no prep whatsoever on the rest of the engine to help it live..
No castings flash removed on the crank or rods. POS cast pistons, etc. "N" crank with no info on what stroke. Tom V.
__________________
"Engineers do stuff for reasons" Tom Vaught Despite small distractions, there are those who will go Forward, Learning, Sharing Knowledge, Doing what they can to help others move forward. |
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#9
06-04-2017, 09:11 AM
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Sorry for your loss.
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#10
06-04-2017, 09:19 AM
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Some JB Weld and sandpaper will take care of that, still has another 15 years in it.
In seriousness, it's cool to hear a 557 block performed well for that long! Best of luck with the next engine!
__________________
1979 Trans Am: Y84 WS6 400/4spd 1967 YS 400, 670 heads, Summit 2802 cam, long tubes, ST-10 trans. McLeod hydraulic clutch conversion. |
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#11
06-04-2017, 10:28 AM
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Quote:
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#12
06-04-2017, 10:34 AM
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I also agree.
The cast crank didn't survive the journey. When they go usually everything goes. Usually the cast rods will go before the crank, then the crank is next in line. Time for upgrades? 
__________________
John Wallace - johnta1 Pontiac Power RULES !!! www.wallaceracing.com Winner of Top Class at Pontiac Nationals, 2004 Cordova Winner of Quick 16 At Ames 2004 Pontiac Tripower Nats KRE's MR-1 - 1st 5 second Pontiac block ever! "Every man has a right to his own opinion, but no man has a right to be wrong in his facts." "People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid." – Socrates |
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#13
06-04-2017, 05:53 PM
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"If you crack some Rods open do the bearings still clip in or fall out?" Most bearings were intact on the rods. I had the machine shop install arp rod bolts
"Any time slips or build details so we can have a rough idea of how heavily you might've abused it? I think it is an awesome data point for the "to 557, or not to 557" debate." No timeslips on this paticular motor. What started out originally as utility build for a daily driver, the machine shop installed a ram air 4 cam which would have been too much for the 7K3 heads and the dreaded 4 valve relief pistons they installed, so i ended up putting on a pair of ported #13 and a torker 2 intake. With 4:10 and 3000 stall, there is quite few LS powered cars licking there wounds. My best educated guess would be mid to high 12's. This engine was doomed from the start |
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#14
06-04-2017, 06:02 PM
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The engine was a noisy vibrating pos from day one that drove back and forth two work for a number a years. I could get 10 mpg with 750 dbl pumper if I drove like a mild mannered citizen. Stock stroke 10-10, 040 over
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#15
06-04-2017, 06:12 PM
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Is that block failure, or a crank failure?
I had a 400 crank break at about the same place, about 25 years ago.
__________________
'73 T/A (clone). Low budget stock headed 8.3:1 455, 222/242 116lsa .443/.435 cam. FAST Sportsman EFI, 315rwhp/385rwtq on 87 octane. 13.12 @103.2, 1.91 60'. '67 Firebird [sold], ; 11.27 @ 119.61, 7.167 @ 96.07, with UD 280/280 (108LSA/ 109 ICL)solid cam. [1.537, 7.233 @93.61, 11.46 @ 115.4 w/ old UD 288/296 108 hydraulic cam] Feb '05 HPP, home-ported "16" D-ports, dished pistons (pump gas only), 3.42 gears, 275/60 DR's, 750DP, T2, full exhaust My webpage http://lnlpd.com/home |
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#16
06-04-2017, 06:53 PM
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Both block and crank are broken. no windage tray or baffled pan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tg7G2axXIDo this is what it used to sound like |
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#17
06-04-2017, 08:04 PM
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How high of an RPM did you regularly turn it?
Any sign's of the main caps walking or more so fretting? Particularly at the location of failure.  I killed a 557, spun 4 mains but it still ran when I tore it down. The rod bearings were pristine, indicating no loss of oil film/pressure to the mains. The main caps showed quite a bit of fretting. I believe that tightened up the main bearing clearances and grabbed the bearings. I turned it ~7k, I didn't know any better and it pulled hard to there with an 041 like cam, nicely done #48 heads, forged TRW slugs and 11.0+:1 compression. 410 gears also.Definitely a very potent combination, just not a strong building block. I am curious if you had signs of fretting because you had studded mains. Last edited by STEELCITYFIREBIRD; 06-04-2017 at 08:17 PM. |
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#18
06-04-2017, 09:41 PM
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Where is the block damaged? I must need glazzes
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#19
06-04-2017, 09:55 PM
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I spun it to 6000,6200 bounced it off of 7000 a few times. Number one main cap is broken,cracked.
A piece of the block broke off on the second main |
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#20
06-04-2017, 11:53 PM
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15 years of abuse? You got your money's worth.
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