LSV = zero rwhp
 

sheesh, been a tough summer, I confirmed the lsv had a serious issue as it hydro locked trying to start. I had been battling a coolant leak and "coolant smell" for years after going to samco hoses


one of them blew on me a couple of months ago and although I was able to get the car off the road right away, getting it home it ran hot (240)


a few weeks later, the coolant leak started to get just a little worse, new hoses didn't fix it and I couldn't find the leak. Oddly enough I didn't see any coolant in the oil (changed it, and kept checking the dip stick), but for sure it was eating coolant.


I tried to start it up a week ago and the engine just refused to turn over and the starter was grinding gears. Sure enough, I pulled the plugs and hit the started and saw the "LSV memorial geyser" and coolant shooting up out of the spark plug hole!


At that point, my heart sank as I thought "how am I ever going to be able to fix this"


soooo....... apart it comes. top end and cooling stack are out, rad was really blocked up, new stronger fans going in from dewitts to keep it cool with ac on.


going with the haibeck MLS head gaskets as they should be a bit better and more forgiving.


check everything out and we'll see what else needs to be done. Demps looked at the porting and it definitely reflects 1997 conservative thinking and may have a bit of room to grow.


Now comes the hard part, getting this thing done in time for Carlisle.


right now I'm a bit bummed. I have 3 vettes and all are down


last night the old pooch 944 turbo (parts chaser) had the clutch go to the floor and stay


I think I need to take up raising chickens or a slight less expensive and less stressful hobby.


I'm going to go fly a model airplane and think about what color engine to go with and quit whinning and start wrenching!!


Went to harbor freight and found a cool tilt a hoist for 39, and a tranny "short scissor" jack for 99 that will work with my 4 post lift and make the tranny pull much easier.


like larry says "get er dun"

Re: LSV = zero rwhp
 

Sorry to hear this Ron! Best wishes with the build and I’m sure it will come out great and even better!!


Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry

Re: LSV = zero rwhp
 

Sometimes the hard part is just getting started. Set a time pull out the toolbox and get after it. Then one thing leads to another and the money starts flying out of your wallet Got to love it

Re: LSV = zero rwhp
 

800 RWHP Z06? That would satisfy me....

Re: LSV = zero rwhp
 

you need bigger cams too :) :)

Good luck Ron. Let me know if I can help.

Re: LSV = zero rwhp
 

That LSV had a long healthy life (IMO). Port work has come a very long wat since that engine was put together by JL...…………...hint.

Re: LSV = zero rwhp
 

engine is out! I will have the heads off soon now and see what failed.


I'll keep you all posted. for sure the porting will need some updating.

Re: LSV = zero rwhp
 

Ron, I know you want to get it ready for Carlisle but you know you would have fun even if you had to go in a rental car. My advice is to take your time, relax, lower your stress levels and do it carefully and correctly. Plan it out. Everyone will get to see it at some point soon I am sure. Best of luck on it. --Bob

Re: LSV = zero rwhp
 

I have a feeling I'll be vetteless for a while


I have big plans for the lsv to give it some fresh blood


dragons blood


porting, fresh rings and hone, bearings, and clean the old gal up for the next dance


we are cracking the cam covers off and pulling the heads to get started.


no hurry, you can't drink fine wine until it's ready.

Re: LSV = zero rwhp
 

Ron:
If you need a few new RC planes to fly while you're 'Vetts are down for repair, you can borrow a few of mine.....


'Crabs

Re: LSV = zero rwhp
 

I am impressed...…….and I bet they all work perfectly :thumbsup::thumbsup:

I like the high wing tail dragger on the left.....:cheers:

Re: LSV = zero rwhp
 

amazing how a birds of feather flock together! i started with a line control P51B in 1970, progressed to an A6 intruder RC stunt ship with the very first Kraft retractable landing gear and 6 channel Kraft open gimble, came to the US and bought a 72 Challenger RT, first 79 vette in 79, first C4 in 84, first ZR-1 in 91 and damn! stuck in 1991 forever!
i remember when Futaba came to the market and was the cheapest RC control. 30 years later, Kraft is gone, Orbit is gone, Logitrol, and even Heath Kit is gone and Futaba is the leader!
Ah well! At least Corvette still is...

Re: LSV = zero rwhp
 

I like the P38! I think I have that same kit in my attic. I've had it since bought new in 1976. Maybe I'll get around to building it one of these days.... ya think?

Re: LSV = zero rwhp
 

Get a look at her now[emoji848]..This "Heart" wont be the same...Dragon Heart-#008..[emoji41]Attachment 7863Attachment 7864

Sent from my SM-G955U using ZR-1 Net Registry mobile app

Re: LSV = zero rwhp
 

time for the beast to clear it's throat and open up the pipes!!

Re: LSV = zero rwhp
 

Since you have a 951, you know that an open deck doesn't like boost too much. Stablize the cylinders and boost away is what I would do. Don't go N/A. Everyone goes N/A with an LT5. :)

Re: LSV = zero rwhp
 

I'm for sure a turbo guy, I've got a few of them and building more


the LSV will be NA for this go around but you are spot on.


Demps has some new liners which would be sooooo nice with a pair of hairdryers.


just takes more fold than I can throw at it

Re: LSV = zero rwhp
 

my dad's American Modeler Association number was 1108 and he taught me to build big free flight (dangerous as hell, like top fuel D gas models that went straight up and were limited to 7 second engine runs) these little guys were bad A and had an OPS 60 with 40 percent nitro just like the big boys


.60 cubic inch making 2.2 HP NOT bad for a little fellow. if we could do that HP to CI ratio we would all smile (I'd be happy with a paultry 4hp per cuibic inch ;)


anyway, after the competitive spirit on these guided missles faded after one of them doing 100 mph loops about 6 inches off my nose when the "dethermalizer" failed (a fuse burns through the rubber band allowing the tail to pop up and the models just float down). well we got a bit distracted and the fuse popped up the tail right after I released the model


exciting times!!! anyway, we quickly decided this was getting a bit too dangerous after we caught ourselves and the flying field on fire when the baby pacifiers we used to "inject" the fuel burst with the engine running and caught both of us on fire! nitro, alchy, and castor oil are a bit hard to light off and you get a nice cool feeling looking down at the blue glow (ask me how I know)


anyway, we "graduated" to big RC gliders, (still guided missles, but at lease under RC control)


that was when I was 12 and we traveled all over the country to compete and I was a good "JR" and could even keep up with the big boys some time


After I discovered my lovely wife the model airplanes went on the back burner until a few years ago. I got the bug again and drove down to pick up all the old models my dad and I had built. Mostly beat up and disrepair, but all there. The radios are so old they all need to be updated (I have some REALLY old futaba, craft, ect... radios)


I still fiddle around with both electric 1/10 scale and nitro (on and off road) and a bunch of electric gliders and drones)


It's a very satisfying hobby and one can NEVER have too many toys


the old gliders were 12 ft and up wingspan we used to use the telescoping fishing rods and carbon fiber reinforced built up balsa with huge wing area (14 center cord 9 at tip, 12 ft wing span) so we could go "cross country" LSF (league of silent flight) The objective was to thermal as high as you could, then climb in the car for "goal and return flights" that would go for miles


It's then that I discovered T tops and convertibles. Too much fun.



Now I've pulled back on the size of the models, and you can get so much cheaper and more advanced stuff for much less effort.


check out the vacuum bagged carbon fiber wings, they are just amazing.


If anyone in the NOVA area wants to get together and jam with the rc stuff, let me know. Lots of the car guys are RC enthusiasts and it's a great hobby!


I use my grandson as an excuse, and he's 7 now and gaining interest.

Re: LSV = zero rwhp
 

so back to the LSV heads and pan are now off, HG ring blown on 6


bores and pistons look good.


but with 88k on the short block the plan is redo bottom end with fresh rings, rod, and main bearings, hone and ready for another 100k or so of floggings.


so far none of the "hard parts" look hurt which is good news.


time to sell some cars

Re: LSV = zero rwhp
 

update, upon closer inspection the #6 liner has some bad wear on the bottom of the liner and needs replacement.


time for new liners. the pistons look pretty good but will be measured to see if they are still viable.


liners are pulled from the block and all the expensive stuff is getting either cleaned or replaced.


the heads are ported and cleaned up and we'll have them at Carlisle for inspection


they are looking good!!!