First Start LS1 NIGHTMARE!!!!

[chrispypunk86]

So its been about 7 months into my fd gto ls1 build. Ive been gathering the final parts to get it running, just received and installed my throttle cable bracket and my steam vent tee I was waiting on. So it was time to attempt to start my car. I turn the key and it just keeps cranking over. I started going through all the wiring and checking connections to make sure I didn't wire it wrong. I couldn't find any wiring problems but I found that I had my return and feed fuel lines switched to my corvette fuel filter. So I switched them around and tried starting it and it fired right up but with a nasty knocking noise. I let it run for 30 seconds tops and tried finding the knocking noise. Sounded like it was coming from the top of the motor. My first guess was maybe a lifter. Not having my oil pressure gauge installed yet(still waiting to receive from speedhut) I had a feeling my pickup tube oil seal maybe was tore and was starving the top of the motor. So I pull the oil pan and on top of the windage tray there's a little chunk of metal. I about fell over. I look at the chunk and there's a crosshatch pattern in it. The only part in the bottom end with that pattern is a piston. So i turn the crank by hand and there it is, a hole in the #4 piston. I couldn't believe it. Thought maybe a valve dropped so I pulled the head of and what I see is painful, a broken bolt stuck in piston. What must of happened, when I had the intake off a bolt fell through the top and landed on the piston and when I fired it up it kept smashing it between the head until it went through the piston. Lesson learned tape off all holes of head when installing, the rags didnt keep anything from falling in. BTW the piston wall was never touched or the crank so ill probably just get a new piston, rings, bearings and while the heads are off I think it might be a good time for either prc 2.5 5.3 heads or stage 2.5 243's with a cam.

[7StarrsSin]

That sucks man, not the kinda first start you want. I'm close to finishing mine too and ill definately tape over all my intake ports...sorry that happened

[chrispypunk86]

Yeah Im just glad it didnt hurt the crank or the cylinder walls to where I would have to send block away. Worst part about the whole thing is my motor only has 23K miles on it.

[Gunnytron]

Right, now that I have seen that I am going to get one of those magnet sticks and put it in each intake hole before I start it.

That really sucks though. So close too.

[gc3]

ouch.

[zbrown]

Damn!

Check the liner very closely for cracks

[chrispypunk86]

I was so excited to here it run too. I will definitely tape the holes on my heads when I get some new ones.

[TS motorsport]

Wow I can imagine how excited you were and the disappointment you felt at that moment. That totally sucks, I hope you rebuild and come back strong!!!

[theantirotor]

that sucks for your engine but its kind of neat to look at!

[Ruler_Mark]

was expecting some rear-end failure... still was not disappointed. Glad its just a head and piston.

[mattster03]

Wow... sorry to hear this man!

[Demon]

that sucks for your engine but its kind of neat to look at!

+1, anyone else looking at the length and thread pitch trying to guess what bolt it is?

[chrispypunk86]

Yeah I have no clue where the bolt came from. BTW I was looking at my block some more and I noticed a crack in the block and a crack in the sleeve. So now I gotta source another engine . Ive had some bad luck with this car, before this it was dropping 4k in a gt40r single turbo conversion on the 13b and ended up blowing a seal and thats what made me come to the dark side. I just hope it starts getting better, ive owned my car for about two years and put maybe 600 miles on it.

[digitalsolo]

Looks like an M6x1.0 to me.   

[Andrew R]

ouch man... my first start resulted in catastrophic failure as well... not fun.