Problems with vortec

**Frankdatank** · 06-06-2009, 07:25 PM

Bought a 99' chevy k2500 hd with cracked heads and picked up a vortec V8 350 5.7l SFI motor and replace it with that. Changed all the fluids, intake gasket, pcv valve, and washed the k&n filter Ran good around the yard for about a month and when i finally got it registered, drove it around the town for a bit with no problems except for an exhaust leak which i fixed with a gasket.

When i drove it for about 30 minutes straight, the engine began sputtering and bogging down the check gauges light when on and the oil pressure was 0. When i pulled over, a spark plug wire had fallen off. I put it back on and checked the oil, none was missing. Headed back home, checked the oil and coolant, nothing was wrong.

Next day it felt like the truck had lost power, so i cleaned the MAF sensor with MAF cleaner, took out the oil pressure switch and hooked up a manual gauge along with a fuel pressure gauge. Fuel was reading 50 at idle ~60 at higher RPM's and the oil pressure was 30 cold dropping all the way down to 0 warm. I drained the oil and replaced the filter, noticed lots of metallic fragments in the oil and it was a coffee color(this oil is only got about 50 miles on it) Running a magnet through the oil collected quite a bit of iron powder and the bottom of the pan was coated in a thin layer of this also. Replaced the oil with 20w 50 and had the same results, accept the oil pressure gauge read 5 at idle, 30-40 at higher rpms. The engine makes no excessive knocking clattering.

My bro says its a spun rod bearing but i need a second opinion before i do anything.

Thanks for the help.

**Jimmiee** · 06-06-2009, 07:35 PM

Your oil pressure says you have a major problem. A spun cam bearing would cause this with no knocking but that's just a SWAG. If it were my truck I would pull the pan to look at the bearings but with that much metal I would have to say the engine must come out and apart.

**Frankdatank** · 06-06-2009, 07:42 PM

Is there any way to salvage this, or should i try my luck with another engine?

And could this metal powder have clogged the oil pump and that be my problem

**5speedsilverado** · 06-06-2009, 07:50 PM

Frankie???

**Jimmiee** · 06-06-2009, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by Frankdatank

Is there any way to salvage this, or should i try my luck with another engine?

And could this metal powder have clogged the oil pump and that be my problem

The metal is probably clogging the oil pump pick up screen. Pull the pan and you'll know for sure!

**Frankdatank** · 06-06-2009, 08:22 PM

Going to pull the pan tomorrow and replace the pump, if that doesnt fix it going to take the old block/crack/cam get it checked for cracks and bored then rebuild it.

Thanks for the help

**Jimmiee** · 06-06-2009, 08:43 PM

Well don't waste your hard earned money if the pan and screen is full of Babbitt material.

**Frankdatank** · 06-06-2009, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by 5speedsilverado

Frankie???

naa im not from AZ

**5speedsilverado** · 06-06-2009, 09:42 PM

oh, i thought you were, i know someone here who goes by that name, but is a honda fan and is currently selling his honda for a deferent vehicle, so i just guessed