Mysterious SBC Oil leak

[deadscoob]

That sounds like a no brainer then. If the current engine isn't suited to your needs and can't realistically be made so, it'll start pissing you off no end and will ruin your enjoyment. Lower spec and usable sounds the way forward, if you can do it and keep costs neutralish, all the better.

[Nabbott]

So in the engine saga that it my car....... The engine, ECU, dry sump, and kinsler system sold last night for £4.5k (although I've yet to hear from the buyer he has strong feedback). So by my reconning that's £4.5 of the £6.7 I need to go and buy a SBC engine from AS with all the ancillaries 😄

I was hoping for more BUT what ebay teaches us is that something is only worth what somebodies willing to pay. .....

I'd like to hear from anyone who sourced a SBC engine locally and how they got on with its fitment!

[Graham-P]

I'm out of touch with SBC prices a bit now, so could be talking out of my arse, but couldn't one of the tuners sort you out an engine for that, or may be a bit more, money?

[jmwram]

why not try real steel they do a small block chevy stroker 383 450 hp £4500.00inc vat plus a few other bits,genuine british horse power .

[Nabbott]

jmwram said:

why not try real steel they do a small block chevy stroker 383 450 hp £4500.00inc vat plus a few other bits,genuine british horse power .

Just took a look at their site and whilst it looks pretty good I bet the difference in cost would quickly evaporate by the time I've bought and fannied around with all the ancillaries (would still need a carb, sump, water pump, alternator etc.,). I could probably stomach this if I could do it myself but we're mid move and I'm temporarily going to be garage less .

Has anyone else here bought and installed a SBC locally (rather than AS) - sounds like another thread.....?

[jmwram]

another to try is roadcraft uk list a complete 383 stroker with ancilleries at £5450 +the dredded vat

[GTRMikie]

Real Steel were the original engine supplier to Ultima. I believe my engine was one of the last they supplied and it came ready to drop straight in. Just tell them it's for an Ultima and they may be able to help.

[Nabbott]

Been VERY quiet on here so thought I post where I am with my car (so - OK I'll admit that this is no longer about a leaking SBC - more like the outcome of living with one for 12 months and being unable to cure it....):


The observant amongst us will see this no longer a SBC engine the really, really observant may even be able to guess where the work is being done....



The air filter assembly is ready to go which just leaves the exhaust. Discussions regards how I avoid a) the factory exhaust set-up and b) avoid selling either one of my kids into servitude or one of my internal organs for one of the 'proper' systems continues..... answers on postcards pls

[Storer]

Got to be Autobionics with that amount of space and floor colour....


Do I get a prize??


Paul

[Nabbott]

Storer said:

Got to be Autobionics with that amount of space and floor colour....


Do I get a prize??


Paul

YES Paul - You get to pay the invoice that's sat in my inbox

[Racingroj]

Hi Nigel
Good to see the new engine in. I know the Autobionics exhaust, fantastic as it is is seriously expensive. There are a number of alternative manufacturers. One I know V8 Dom has used is JP Exhausts at Macclesfield which is a bit of a hike for you but about half the price of AB.

[Nabbott]

Thanks Rog!

Yeah whilst I love their exhaust (Steve has it in his car) I can neither afford nor justify it. Currently talking to the AB boys about more cost effective solutions. Thanks for the link.

[confusionhunter]

Welcome back sir! Nice to see this movie along! Have a look here..
https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=301076426748...
Have a look at 22nd March 2015.

Im not saying you literally do one, but you might find a fabricator that would do it for you?

[Graham-P]

I guess it depends on if you plan any engine upgrades.
I know I'm going to take some flack but I just went with the cast manifolds and heat shields that came with the engine and had an system made from them back, cost effective, but then I don't plan to do any upgrades and the headers with a black coating disappear down the side of the engine.
I might be missing a few bhp but I think I've still got plenty to play with.
You must be pleased with the way it's looking now, the drivability will be so different to what you had.....
Graham

[Nabbott]

Graham-P said:

You must be pleased with the way it's looking now, the drivability will be so different to what you had.....
Graham

So whilst I obviously haven't driven it, my partner in crime for all things Ultima (Abbosevolution) has exactly the same lump in his recently registered GTR. To say it's 'night and day' compared with my old SBC wouldn't be overstating the difference. It's super tractable, surfs on torque at low revs in high gears and still goes like a stabbed rat. The 'upgrade BHP sickness' will be a long way off - late 400 horses seems plenty for everything short of driving straight to jail - especially when it's so smooth.

Can't wait to get it back and for the weather to get a bit warmer!!

[Storer]

Graham-P said:

I guess it depends on if you plan any engine upgrades.
I know I'm going to take some flack but I just went with the cast manifolds and heat shields that came with the engine and had an system made from them back, cost effective, but then I don't plan to do any upgrades and the headers with a black coating disappear down the side of the engine.
I might be missing a few bhp but I think I've still got plenty to play with.
You must be pleased with the way it's looking now, the drivability will be so different to what you had.....
Graham

Driving Miss Daisy.....
You will never have a SPA speedo issue Graham

Paul

[k wright]

The SBC will always need at least 3 x 1.2 inch scavenge stages on the dry sump pump to prevent leaks. Dry sump systems are often sealed and don't have a means to release excess crank case pressure seen at high rpm. A vent on the oil tank will not be effective as the blow by at high rpm will exceed the volume of a 2 stage pump with 1.2" wide sections. The pump will literally restrict the flow of air out of the block and the pressure will vent from crank shaft seals, head bolt threads as well as the usual spots for leaks.

If you have only 2 scavenge stages and lots of oil leaks vent one of your valve covers and see what effect this has on the volume of oil you loose. It will be much less.

The solution is to send your pump to have an additional stage added and fit a vacuum release valve to limit the amount of vacuum seen in the crankcase at high revs. Peterson makes a nice vacuum release valve. The additional volume of the pump will keep up with the blow by at high rpm and spin in a vacuum at lower rpms (consuming very little power).

http://nutterracingengines.com/racing_oil_pumps/cr...

Edited by k wright on Tuesday 31st May 13:54

Edited by k wright on Tuesday 31st May 13:56

[Nabbott]

As of today we can officially 'close' this topic - with thanks to the boys up at AB.....

Returning today, Taxed, MOT'd and insured ready for it's first drive......
[url]

|http://thumbsnap.com/gbfmi4oA[/url]

I need to get the hole in the rear deck sorted out (where the Kinslers formerly stuck out) but that'll be a job for the winter.

[Racingroj]

Lovely Nabbott. The AB bits are quality but I dare to ask how much, I take it you just added to the mortgage Another option I would look at is the new Factory removable hard top. They might be able to help you with the hole in the canopy as well.

Edited by Racingroj on Friday 3rd June 20:11

Edited by Racingroj on Friday 3rd June 20:12

Edited by Racingroj on Friday 3rd June 20:13

[Nabbott]

Roj - we don't talk about the costs

RE the hardtop...... Pretty sure that that would require a proper windscreen which is definitely off the agenda. Roofs and windscreens are for poofters like Abbosevolution