Problems with 289 Engine. Looking for Help.

[hsr]

1965 289 C5AE block. Edelbrock 5.0 Performer heads. Performer 289 intake.

When I purchased particular car from previous owner, the engine assembly was fresh from the machine shop in a bag. I installed the engine and shortly after its first start up/drive, noticed two problems:

1. Rod knock type of noise that would go away with RPM increase. Was told it sounds like a clearance problem from my shade tree neighbors. Oil pressure was fine. Other than that, it ran fine.

2. It always ran hot. Overheated once during a local weekend cruise. This version of the intake does NOT have the water cross over at the rear which I've seen on some 289 Performers. Brand new water pump. Brand new 4 core radiator. 180* thermostat.

Upon dis-assembly, here is what I found:

1. The rod side clearance on the journal at connecting rods 3 and 7 is ~0.025-0.030". I'm guessing this was the source of the noise in #1. Question here is there anything that can be done to the crank or rods to close up the clearance or do I need to start looking for a new crank?

2. When I pulled the heads, I found the steam holes that should have been opened from the deck surface to the heads (above the cylinder bores) are plugged. It looks like the holes were tapped, bolts inserted and machined off when the surfaces were decked. I am guessing this was at least contributing to the heat problem. What is the probability of this causing some damage to the heads or block? How are aluminum heads checked for cracks like magnaflux on iron?

The engine shop that did the machine work (last November) and assembly is about 400 miles from me where I purchased the car, so trying to get them to warranty anything is out of the picture.

Can anyone provide some advice or suggestions on correcting these issues?

Thanks in advance,

 

[tos]

That could be the source of your knock but aside3 from having the crank welded and turned back to size theres not much you can do unless you just replace it. If you lived a little closer to Cincinnati I'd give you my old one. I just went with a 347 stroker kit and still have my old crank. Also check your crank endplay and make sure they installed the main thrust bearings. Make sure the rods are the right width at the bearing, Maybe they replaced them with the wrong ones?

 

[hsr]

Tos,

Thanks for the reply. Thrust bearings are installed. Rods appear to be al the stock ones put back. I'm basing that on their sequential numbering. They don't appear to be re-stamped.

Would you consider shipping the crank if I paid for shipping and something for your trouble? Is yours stock or undersized?

 

[tos]

Yes I could send it but I work 60 hours a week 6 to 6 each day so the only day I could get to the post office would be next saturday unless I can find a Local ups store. I will mic it in the next couple of days to get the sizes. Its in pretty good shape but may have been turned once. Ill check it out and let you know.

 

[D.Hearne]

Were the rods installed correctly with the chamfered side facing the crank? The overheating could have also been due to the head gaskets installed backwards. The side clearance at .025 is perfect for performance applications. Look at the bearings to see if they're crushed or worn on one side.