Blown Motor Need HELP!!!

i agree on the cams being tigtened incorectly....also, as soon as you strap your car to the dyno you sign a waver dont you? I know i did

I have never signed anything at JPC over the last few years, but that may just be due to having a good relationship with Justin.

Thanks for all the responses, I'll try to answer all your questions. I did not sign a waiver. They pulled the valve covers in front of me. The exact damage was cracked and out of place rocker arms, some scuffing on the cam shaft (all passenger side), and later, when i was not there he said there were some damage to the valves and some scratches to one piston. I did sign a waiver at the dyno, but that was not the shop that did the cam install. I am consulting a lawyer this week to find out where I stand. I am also going to ask what they torqued the cam bolts to. I heard that a mere 2lb of difference can cause engine failure. Oh, and the heads were pulled and they have been ported and polished.

Almost forgot, after the install on the way to the dyno, the car would stall sometimes at a stand still, and the best that i can describe it is the engine did not like to sit still. After the dyno it ran great, and then boom the engine blew, on the trip back.

sounds like multiple lash adjusters
had insufficient oil pressure, to keep
the cam followers in place.

if the broken followers were right next
to eachother, then maybe it was just
one lash adjuster which had the problem.

regardless, sorry it happened to you and i
hope it all works out for you in the end.

yeah I know this situation sucks, but just to clarify I am not blaming the shop. It seems highly likely from what I have heard that it was their fault and at the very least they should accept a neutral standing given the circumstances.

DJ Wolfe said:

...I am not blaming the shop. It seems highly likely from what I have heard that it was their fault...

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:dunno I'm confused...you're not blaming them, but it's their fault?

SOMEBODY is at fault...here are your choices

A) faulty part, B) faulty install, or C) faulty engine.

Only one of these choices leads to you paying for everything out of your pocket...don't feel bad about pointing the finger at someone. The way our system works is that the finger is pointed at yourself as being at fault until you start pointing at someone else...better pick one and stick with it brother.

(please refer to previous legal disclaimer in this thread)

what was your A/F on the dyno

A/F Min 12.7
Max 13.7
Avg 13.0

DJ Wolfe said:

Almost forgot, after the install on the way to the dyno, the car would stall sometimes at a stand still, and the best that i can describe it is the engine did not like to sit still. After the dyno it ran great, and then boom the engine blew, on the trip back.

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First you mentioned you didn't push the motor after the install, max 4K RPM when it blew. However, you mention the car was not running right before the dyno but you still put it on the rollers to see what it could do. I'm guessing they ran it beyond 6K RPM to measure that.

Don't get me wrong, by no means am I implying that the mechanical defect is your fault...but the car was not running right and still put it on the dyno to run at WOT? That I don't understand.

The shop that installed the cams told me that the car would run that way until i got the tune from the dyno, and yes the dyno pushed it to 6400 rpm or so. I find that weird since they are mild cams.

Just talked to the owner of the shop and he said that the valve caps were torqued to 89 inch pounds. No way to prove that though. My issue now is would I be able to tell from the car wanting to stall before the tune that the valve caps were too loose??

Anthony05GT said:

I have never signed anything at JPC over the last few years, but that may just be due to having a good relationship with Justin.

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Definately an oversight...don't worry I will make sure you sign it next time you are on the dyno

if its an 08 and only 17k miles, can you put it back to stock, have it towed in and get it fixed under warranty?? Just askin...

Shanshine said:

Definately an oversight...don't worry I will make sure you sign it next time you are on the dyno

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You always come in way later than my car gets strapped on. (worse than banker's hours??) I kind of figure it's my problem if it pops especially when Kevin's tuning and I'm pushing the stock shortblock.

Well finally the shop is being responsive. They are going to help me out with part of the labor and the motor is being rebuilt to a forged 302 stroker. Luckily I haven't spend every penny on upgrades, and it makes sense to do a rebuild when the motor is already torn apart. It's a lot of money...I guess its worth it. Thanks for all the help guys. I talked to a lawyer and he said it was a dead end, and it would be really hard to prove anything.

DJ Wolfe said:

Well finally the shop is being responsive. They are going to help me out with part of the labor and the motor is being rebuilt to a forged 302 stroker. Luckily I haven't spend every penny on upgrades, and it makes sense to do a rebuild when the motor is already torn apart. It's a lot of money...I guess its worth it. Thanks for all the help guys. I talked to a lawyer and he said it was a dead end, and it would be really hard to prove anything.

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Forged stroker FTW!

Wow this situation really sucks I honestly hope everything works out for the better for you. Don't give up, if it is really their fault, fight till the end.