Post Rebuild Notes
 

Just wanted to post some of my notes and observations and one question:

'83 SC 3.0L with original 915 tranny. Goal of daily driver, no track events. Updated tensioners, new studs, new exhaust valves, reseated valves, new rings, old pistons and cylinders (all major mechanical items were well within specs), new timing chains etal, pop-off valve, tires, shocks, etc.

Post rebuild the car slung much oil and I had the cam timing set wrong. Once more into it. Make sure you do not tarry when putting the cam towers back together on the block!! Put it together and practice, practice, practice prior to applying liquid gasket and holding breath.

Still some minor seepage, but not applying for a super fund site. Vehicle has gone through two quarts of 20W50 in 400 miles mainly due to seeping. Notice when cold in the morning, not hot after running.

Question: I am having issues getting into first and reverse. All shifts up and down are smooth. Shifting into second prior to going into first helps smooth things out, but still a little bite prior to entry. If shifting straight into first I have a slight grind. Reverse is a nightmare. Tried the first to reverse trick, no avail. Even when vehicle is facing uphill, reverse wants to grind. Clutch plate is the newer style and not very old. Any ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

If an idiot like myself can get as far as I did, an average Joe should be able to re-build these motors with proper guidance, books, tools, and time.

Re: Post Rebuild Notes
 

Congrats on getting it done, but are you saying that you leak 2 quarts of oil every 400 miles????

If that is the case, you might want to consider applying for a superfund site license! (That seems like a huge leak to me).

used/leaked two quarts in first 400 miles. More at the beginning and not so much now. I think it has more to do with breaking in and the gaskets sealing. Any other opinions??

Your clutch is probably not disengaging all the way if reverse grinds.


Rob
1980SC

More info after driving to and from work:

80 miles and the oil level did not drop appreciably. Hoping that everything is starting to seal.

On the way home, shifting continued to degrade. I was not able to engage first gear. Down shifting became difficult at best. 3/4 miles from home, clutch cable breaks. PO had stated it was recently replaced, hmmm. Didn't think these broke every couple of years. More fun for Saturday!!!

I bet the clutch cable was stretching and not permiting the clutch to completely disengage. Replace it and I bet your problems with the shifting are gone.

I assume you R7R'ed the motor w/ tranny. If so, are sure the shift coupler was not changed? Perhaps an adjustment is necessary if the cable does not fix the problem.

When I replced my clutch cable, I was advised to run some motor oil down the sheath to lube the cable. I figuered it couldn't hurt. Anyone else ever hear of this?

I read several places to use Lithium grease. I have both that and the white goop left over from the re-build. Would like to hear any other suggestions.

Shifting started out good, difficulty started gradually, and complete inability to shift was abrupt. New parts coming in Saturday from Pelican. (Why breakdown thursday night when wednesday would have been perfectly acceptable?)