Thanks, Guys! .......

Yeah, I'm pretty steamed. But, since I made that video around 3-4 hours ago..... I've calmed down and decided to do just what you said, Rob. I will look, carefully, ...but I'm pretty sure I'd remember something like "yeah, I didn't use that, here's the LCE one you gave us."

Just so I have this straight, ...the guys, at least the one side, should be COMPLETELY metal, right? Both are Plastic... and yes, I didn't do this extra cabbage build to have a crap cam and stock guides. I know, sometimes the plastic guides can outlast the chains, lol....but NO WAY am I taking that chance after all the time and money I've put into this.

I'll look very carefully and get back to you all. He gave me a box back, but it was, as I remember, half of a gasket set(you know, OE kits usually have 2 of a few things, like (22r and 22re and sometimes 20r.)... amongst some other things.

I'm staying away from it, tomorrow.....taking a break, at least until the evening. Too much work tomorrow, and while I'm calmed down quite a bit... I'm still not wanting to make a stupid mistake out of spontaneous rage! lol.

TTYSOON, guys!

Mark

 

Id definitely have someones behine if i paid good money for good parts and they weren't installed.

If you lived closer to me you could help me with my truck...And if i lived closer to you i could help you whoop this guys ass. Haha.
It'll be alright man, just listen to rob. Go get face to face with this guy and prepare for him to backtrack and studder. A lot.

I hate that for you man, but there's not much that can be done now but put the parts you want back in it.
Let me know if you need anything.

 

He put in the wrong cam, too?
Sounds like you need to go to your local BBB and start a claim. Go into the shop and demand your parts back, or start a small claim against him for the sum of the cost of the parts. You DON'T want the parts back, because for all you know he could take a grinder to them and they're worth nothing.

However, LCE does sell plastic guides as well as metal guides. So be sure to check your order THOROUGHLY before you do anything. For all you know, you accidentally ordered the plastic guides. Or they sent you the plastic ones on accident.

 

Total bummer man. I hate guys like that. Those are definitly plastic guides though. I would go nuts on the engine builder.

 

10-4 on the plastic guides, defiantly plastic with my metal ones (engnbldr) you can see the metal on the back plate on the drivers side. I hate it when shops screw you over like that, I never take a veichle in unless I have to. Heck even for an oil change i got charged 10 bucks for a fram filter and when I looked it was some generic cheapo brand.... i dont really care but if you charge for fram, then give me a fram. Unfortunately you cant take the engine apart to check their work.... thats tough luck man, sorry to hear it....

 

Thanks, guys, ...yeah, I looked through my order with LCE after signing in and I did order the steel guides. I have the invoice, etc. I'm going to talk to them, tomorrow, and see if all the parts are theirs, .....then, maybe, they just shipped the wrong box and I never caught it? Who knows, and at this point, I think I'll just order the guides, a la carte from Engnbldr and with the cover, they will just ship them together.(if I need the cover. Can't be sure until I clean it up spotless.

At this point, I'm going to try and figure out why it leaked in the first place, making sure it's not the block!(same machinist, ya know?). It appears to have sealant on both sides of the TC gaskets, ...and the area where it leaked was no exception. Just kinda hard to be sure, but I'll do my best before removing all the old stuff from the block/cover.

Far as suing.... I just don't have the time or money, ...or, at this point, to be honest, PATIENCE or energy! I'm exhausted, by no fault of my own, ONCE AGAIN, lol. I don't mind learning a hard lesson, but 9 MONTHS????? That's a lot of time to lose, man.

Thanks for all the condolences, guys.... it really does help, honest.

Mark

PS> Already ordered OEM Timing cover gaskets, Oil Pump O-ring, pick up tube gasket and, well, I could probably slap it all together right now...but I can't be sure if the timing cover is bad or not(any ideas as to how to make sure? Can't really pressure test it, etc. ya know?)

 

Oh, and just wondering,.... do I have to pull the chain w/gear off the cam to get those guides out? I'll read up, just thought I'd throw it out there.

 

The engnbldr timing cover and guides are nice looking pieces, I would recommend them.

I am pretty sure if you tie up the tensioner to slack the chain you could get the guides out without taking off the chain and gears, that is what I would try first

 

Thanks, SB, ....

I was hoping to try it that way. Even if I had to pull the sprocket, .....at least I'm not doing it like I had to with the CAM! lol. Pulling the head bolts and changing out that CAM without pulling the head was a lil more hairy. Either way, if this goes wrong(HG get's pinched, timing cover doesn't seal, etc.)...it'll mean another HUGE job to get it right. I just want to get it right the first time.

I still have to rebuild most of my IFS, including A-arm bushings..... so I have a busy next couple jobs ahead of me.

Calling Tod, now!

 

I have been thinking of doing a cam.... does it give you a noticeable amount of power? down low is where I want it and does it change the idle?

Is it pretty easy to do? Unbolt the sprocket and remove the rockers then swap the cam? or is it more complicated then that? How do you like your header? are you having any issues with leak? Thanks, it looks like you are putting a lot of work in ur runner and it shows... keep it up!

 

Thanks alot, man, and I'd be glad to help. I'm on my way out the door in an hour(gig), but I'll be back, later.

For now, I can tell you a couple things....

The 261 Cam is what I chose. I want a wider range of RPM effected(Longer curve). This cam gives me more power from 1500-4500RPM range. The 268, from what I can tell, has a later kick in(Shorter and later curve), kicking in at 2500rpm or so. But, as XXX will state, next post.......it, like any cam(especially with Carb.) has to be timed in JUST RIGHT, to get the most out of it.

I probably can get off the line better with my 261, compared to the 268.... I'm sure Top speed is effected, too. I can do around 90MPH in my Runner, with 31's, no problem. Of course, I have RC Serviced and specialized Injectors, LCE header, LCE Cold Air Intake,...and a Flux Capacitor...jk, to give me a lil extra stretch out of her. However, the 268, from what I can tell, is better for other applications...... XXX could tell you on that, as he has a 268. Couple guys do. I really don't wanna steer you in any particular direction. All I can tell you is it runs MUCH better now with this cam....it's DEFINITELY quicker and better on hills, as well. Keep in mind, my former cam was TOAST, ...and even then, I could do 85MPH no problem. My miss with that cam was HORRIBLE, ....and now I have a TINY lil jumpity, but it's probably only noticeable to me. My lil miss that I still have is most likely EFI or IGN related.

Far as the install....well, I would DEFINITELY recommend having someone help you. Someone fairly experienced with top end stuff. You have to pull all the head bolts, rocker assembly(Keep them in order), Cam Gear off the CAM(hold it up with bunjy cords or zip ties), and try to make sure it's on 12oclock on the dot, at TDC(6oclock on the crank gear) I'll be honest, it was a bit of a bear, ...but we strapped the head down with heavy duty ratchet straps and left the hidden bolt into the timing cover in. So, ....it didn't move, THANK GOD! lol.

There is a chance that it will move, and if so, then yep, you'll have to remove the head, PERIOD! lol.
*********************************************

Far as the header? LOVE IT! VERY high quality, CA legal, ...I'm stoked on it's performance, to be honest.

*********************************************

Cold air Intake? You're going to get TONS of differing opinions on this one. I can tell you, straight out... mine DOES give me more power. Sure, it sounds good, but that's NOT my priority. It just must breath a bit better,and with the header, I think it makes for a "complete package" as they say, ya know?

************************************************** *

Hope that helps... I'm working on ordering that stuff, but Tod's phone is whacked out at the moment. Sent him an email and hopefully he'll hit me up from his cell.

L8r t8rs,

Mark

 

the 261 is the torquey one not the 268. My power doesn't come in till like 2500 or so. I have the 268. Sometimes I wish I had the 261, but will not dis the cam since I know the timing on it is not 100% yet and won't be till I get the LCE adj cam gear and dial in the cam.

Sucks about that steel rail though. Something like that should be considered either theft or at least theft by deception.

 

Just found your thread and I love it. I have an 86 runner that I would like to rebuild engine in. thanks for the pics keep up the good work.

 

Hey Brandon, thanks for clarifying that. I'll edit my post. Thanks for stopping in, period! lol. You've been a tremendous help, even when you're not sure, I know I can usually get something out of ya! lol.

Thanks, B-yodaful!, Very much appreciate that. ......it's been QUITE a Journey, eh XXX? lol.

QUESTION, GUYS, PLEASE?:

When I pulled the cover, it popped right off with a lil work.... and Now, walking out there, I realized something I didn't notice before. There is almost NO sealant on the timing cover itself. I guess that's possible....but is it likely, that, IF they put sealer on both sides of the gasket....wouldn't I have several sections with sealant on the cover, itself?

Thanks, ......I'll post a pic of it if I haven't already.... after I get home from work. Thanks again, guys,

Mark

 

I don't remember if I used sealant on mine or not to tell ya the truth. I remember being told that if using a silicone rubber type seal/gasket not to use rtv on it. Half moon gaskets aside. I know they would get some but only underneath not on top where the rocker cover would go. I remember my timing cover gasket being rubber of some sort from EB. I could be wrong though.

 

Looks like he used sealant on the gasket itself to hold it to the block.
Tbh, i don't blame him. It's nothing short of impossible to get that gasket to hold in place with the head on.

Anyways, file through BBB. It's free, and yeah.
Go confront the guy, if he isnt up front with you, tell him you're reporting him to the BB and you're getting him shut down for good.

 

I concur^^^

 

Holy rust, batman. Your bed is almost as rusty as GiJunk's..

 

If you are talkin bout me, I been tryin to fix it. But its gettin to be a losing battle

 

The EB kit is rubber celulose if I remember right. I used a few dabs on the back of the gasket to hold it in place while I slid the cover on (RTV, let it dry till tacky) i used very little though, just enough to hold it in place. I don't have any leaks, at least not from the timing cover. The oil pan is another story. actually thinking about it a bit more I used a couple dabs in the corner between the block, oilpan and timing cover, so i lied a little


XXX and Chef, thanks for the info on the Cam and header... I think a 261 might be in my future or at least on the list. I need to replace my exhaust in the near future but I will wait till I get my welder from back home...I have some custom plans in mind....