Crank just broke in my DSS 331 Pro Bullet!!!!

hllon4whls · May 31, 2005

I have a local engine builder that is an hour away and just great, so I have never used a DSS product.

I remember some time ago that one of the mag editors ordered a kit. He tore it down to prove how good DSS was. He found one of the mains improperly clearanced. He resolved the issue and went on to say how there was no way to tell if that would have shortened the life of the engine or not.

I think that this thread hit the nail on the head: DSS was great and grew too big. Quality control and consistency are no longer as good as it was.

tmoss · May 31, 2005

hllon4whls said:
I think that this thread hit the nail on the head: DSS was great and grew too big. Quality control and consistency are no longer as good as it was.

Happens a lot when a company gets lots of recognition and orders pour in way faster than they can fill them. If they try to grow to fast, things get out of control. Keeping motivated and professional help can also be a problem - you get what you pay for there too. Problem is, the customer doesn't know what's going on in there.

Guyfoxbody · May 31, 2005

SmockDoiley said:
Your running 11s on a stock 5.0 block. Thats what your problem is!! Most likely, the block cracked and then went the crank. You got 2 years of service out of a stock 5.0 block so I wouldnt be complaining much. Those blocks are ****. So if you are running slicks with 450 plus for 2 years, the block is going to give. It doesnt matter what parts you put in it. I wouldnt go complaining to DSS since for starters they arent going to do anything for you. Secondly, it isnt really there fault or we dont know that for sure. I think 2 years from a street driven race engine is good. Didnt you say you got it in 2002, so thats almost 3 years.

I thought our blocks were pretty strong?
Don't a lot of racers like the high mileage seasoned blocks for rebuilds?

EMW150 · May 31, 2005

Guyfoxbody said:
I thought our blocks were pretty strong?
Don't a lot of racers like the high mileage seasoned blocks for rebuilds?

I think the "seasoned block" theory is more of a sales pitch than anything. They can make more money on a machined core than a new block. They are a tough little block for what we ask out of them. I think this case was more likely a defective crank that finally gave.

bmo37 · May 31, 2005

EMW150 said:
I think the "seasoned block" theory is more of a sales pitch than anything. They can make more money on a machined core than a new block. They are a tough little block for what we ask out of them. I think this case was more likely a defective crank that finally gave.

I disagree there is a point to it, a seasoned block is much stronger and won't warp like a brand spanking new one just based on the fact that its already been through its heat cycle (the more carbon the stronger the metal and tempering effect that the heat has on the block makes it stronger). Only part i agree on is that the builder probably does make more on machining than selling a new block.

igotyofire · Jun 1, 2005

i still dont see whats so special about DSS blocks, except that all machine work is done, but they dont seem to be any stronger then a stocker, personally id rather go with a stock block and a local engine builder

Hissing Cobra · Jun 1, 2005

One thing that I'd like to mention is this: Local engine builder's are not always the answer either. My brother has found many new customers who have gone to him because their local engine builder couldn't get the job done. He's found shoddy machine work from smaller companies as well.

Having your engine built is like having your car painted. It's all in the prep work and you get what you pay for. The best piece of advice that I can give is to go to someone who has a great reputation and will back their work.

EMW150 · Jun 1, 2005

bmo37 said:
I disagree there is a point to it, a seasoned block is much stronger and won't warp like a brand spanking new one just based on the fact that its already been through its heat cycle (the more carbon the stronger the metal and tempering effect that the heat has on the block makes it stronger). Only part i agree on is that the builder probably does make more on machining than selling a new block.

Sorry, I just don't buy the "seasoned block" theory. Stress leads to eventual fatigue. Period. There is no way of knowing what the block your getting has been subject to before it was reconditioned. They can magnaflux to show the obvious cracks but magnafuxing doesn't show a possible weak point which could lead to a future crack or failure. A new block built by a professional builder is going to have less stress and vibration because they're balanced and machined properly from day 1.

hllon4whls · Jun 3, 2005

BUMP:
Post up some pics so we can see what happened too!

KDK1988GT · Jun 3, 2005

yeh

Ted87GT said:
This is why you shouldnt buy a crate motor. find an engine builder you trust and have them custom build it for you. a lot more time and care goes into it than a mass produced, thrown together crate motor. it may end up costing more but its worth it.

Thats right,, buy the parts and watch it being put togeather..

i run dss and have not had any probs... I got the 331 stroker kit from DSS and had my motor built at a good shop that I could easliy see the progress of my motor being built.

txstang84 · Jun 3, 2005

emw, you have a mech engineering or metallurgy degree? seasoned blocks ARE better to a certain extent because they have been through all the heat cycles to pull stress out of the b-yes stress will cause fatigue, and eventually failure, also known as yield and ultimate strength. every type of metal is rated for a certain amount of use (read: stress) based on it's properties...cast iron-especially in thin wall windsor blocks-is not exactly what one would refer to as "brute" in strength. if you routinely exceed the yield strength, the part will fail...eventually as with any part. true there are certain things magnifluxing will not show, but hey, if the block was gonna go, it was gonna go, it just would've taken longer if it were installed in granny's country squire wagon.

i can't begin to tell you how many people I've known that used a seasoned block (Ford, chevy, or Mopar) to pull some serious ponies, and they never had anything spectacular happen to them. what it boils down to-IMHO-is that the crank probably had a flaw in it, and it finally gave way and took out half the block with it.

EMW150 · Jun 3, 2005

txstang84 said:
emw, you have a mech engineering or metallurgy degree? seasoned blocks ARE better to a certain extent because they have been through all the heat cycles to pull stress out of the b-yes stress will cause fatigue, and eventually failure, also known as yield and ultimate strength. every type of metal is rated for a certain amount of use (read: stress) based on it's properties...cast iron-especially in thin wall windsor blocks-is not exactly what one would refer to as "brute" in strength. if you routinely exceed the yield strength, the part will fail...eventually as with any part. true there are certain things magnifluxing will not show, but hey, if the block was gonna go, it was gonna go, it just would've taken longer if it were installed in granny's country squire wagon.

i can't begin to tell you how many people I've known that used a seasoned block (Ford, chevy, or Mopar) to pull some serious ponies, and they never had anything spectacular happen to them. what it boils down to-IMHO-is that the crank probably had a flaw in it, and it finally gave way and took out half the block with it.

Point was, a seasoned block (used block) has a past you are unaware of. Remember there is a reason why it's being rebuilt. Is it possible the block was severely overheated? Maybe it was in a front engine collision where it took a serious shock? You just don't know. I'm not saying you can't put serious ponies through a "seasoned block". I run a "seasoned block". My point is, they're not necessarily better than a new block. You just have to wonder how many block failures are from shock or abuse while it was still in "granny's country squire wagon". Like I posted before, from the sounds of what happened in this case, I think there was a flaw in the crank like you just said. Just my opinion.

nitrous408 · Jun 3, 2005

they will tell you that you put it together wrong,,i bet you. cover their ass..but hi perf motors have no warr.

crunchie12268 · Jun 3, 2005

thanks for sharing, I was going to get a 331 from them, but I think I will try Coast High Performance.

Michael Yount · Jun 3, 2005

I think it's become completely clear to me that when the time comes, I'll be working with one of the independent engine builders who frequent the sites, rather than buying a potential pig in a poke from the 'well known' engine houses.

tmoss · Jun 3, 2005

It's like any other business, it doesn't matter what the name of the company is - it just matters what individual works on your stuff and how good a job he does.

Michael Yount · Jun 3, 2005

Funny though how it seems that some companies consistently turn out better product than others. So some businesses find a way to hire and retain people who consistently do a better job than others. A lot to do with the leadership of the company and the culture they've created....I believe.

txstang84 · Jun 4, 2005

my bad emw, i missed you're earlier reply-i fully understand what you're saying about using a potentially overheated or overstressed b-then again, that's why I pick my own used engines from a salvage yard where you can get an excellent indicator of what kind of condition the rest of the car was in before it was put out to rest.

at any rate, yes-much better to have a trusted source put your fire-breather together...

Crank just broke in my DSS 331 Pro Bullet!!!!

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