new stroker build, some issues

[danimal]

i used a new timing set, i forgot the brand though. threw out the box.
I'm leaning towards the springs being an issue as well. i thought about shimming them.
I did measure lash at the pushrod. i loosened both rocker bolts per cyl, zeroed my indicator when the rockers were contacting both the valve and push rod, and tightened it down. I let the lifter bleed out for a few minutes or more till the indicator stopped moving.
closed install height on the one i checked was about 1.675". A bit high i guess. Might be enough to make the spring rate too weak.

[6TIME]

Preload sounds good. Are you sure that all of the springs heights are the same? Ill throw some old 4.0 springs on the tester in the am to get a ballpark pressure of where you're sitting. The best would to be to take them off and have them checked.
Used high mileage springs can be all over the charts.

[danimal]

Preload sounds good. Are you sure that all of the springs heights are the same? Ill throw some old 4.0 springs on the tester in the am to get a ballpark pressure of where you're sitting. The best would to be to take them off and have them checked.
Used high mileage springs can be all over the charts.

I doubt all the springs are the same installed height. if possible, can you check from 1.66 to 1.7, maybe in between a few times? That would probably cover it. Thanks a lot man, that's helpful.

[6TIME]

You might want to check all of them to be sure... The used 4.0 springs I had laying around (8) checked out surprisingly consistent. I had 3 7120 heads laying around and checked the stock install height on all of them it was 1.6450"-1.6550" with a spring mic. I have no idea what your springs have been through, so keep in mind these are ballpark figures for used springs that check out ok... There's a chance your lifters might be pumping up a bit also if the spring loads are not adequate... causing the valves to hang open while running.
Here's what I got for height vs. seat load:

1.6450"-1.6550" 85-90lbs Stock
1.660" 83lbs
1.70" 75lbs
1.750" 60lbs

Open pressures with the 232-4 cam @ .460 .476 lift:
1.650" In. @1.19" 215lbs Ex @1.174 220lbs
1.70" In. @1.240"200lbs Ex @1.224" 205lbs

Coil bind varied from 1.10"-1.19" So if you are sitting at 1.660" you can be very close to bind on some of your springs...
Retainer to guide seal clearance was about .520"

[danimal]

thanks a ton for checking that! Very cool of you.
I suspected the valves hanging open due to weak springs as well.

I just dropped the pan today. The oil was pearly looking. there was some thick sludge on the bottom of the pan near the drain. It was magnetic. Cam bearings did not apear to be squeezing out of the journals, cam lobes looked ok.
I think i will be checking the rod and main bearings shortly. Not sure where the metal came from but it was mentioned that it could be ring material from breakin, but that seems like a lot.

[6TIME]

Have you changed the oil since you got it running? Bearing material isn't typically magnetic...

[danimal]

nope.
just checked every rod and main bearing. they were not so pretty looking. lots of pitting and some scoring. none had spun though. half tempted to throw in another set of bearings. maybe the oil was contaminated from something i missed while cleaning. who knows...

[sly-jeeper]

did you check your crank end play? silvery magnetic sediment isn't a good sign...

[danimal]

well that brings up another screwup on my part. when i first ran it, the crank pulley wasnt fully seated. the spacer i made wasnt completely tight on the pulley because it hit the woodruff key instead of bottoming out on the pully. so one side of the thrust bearing didn't look too great. The other side was pretty spotless. Not sure if this was the cause. But no, i did not check it.

[sly-jeeper]

if your end play is horrible i would be surprised if its crank or block metal in the pan

[danimal]

makes sense. where would it have been hitting? i'll check for wear.

[sly-jeeper]

check out phman9's thread...broken stroker 1/8 end play

[6TIME]

Is it an auto or 5 speed? Was the crank turned?

[danimal]

the crank looks like it's shot. bearing surface is worn pretty bad on the flywheel side of the crank.

I have a manual trans. crank was turned previously but had been used by previous owner since then.

[sly-jeeper]

i wonder if that crank was bent from a hydrolock or dropped er somethin