New Motor Is In......Internal Problems Already? @#%&*!!!

[97LT1Z28]

I just got the car back after more than two months for the shop to install the new long-block 350 LT1. When picking it up, they told me that it was overheating and it was probably the fans or relays. When driving it home, the temp did creep up to almost redline - even on the highway.

I took it to the Chevy dealer for a diagnostic and they told me that all the cooling components check out fine - it could be a leaky head gasket or possibly the head leaking coolant into #7 cylinder that is causing the motor to overheat.

Needless to say, I'm really pissed off.

The motor shop is towing it back in from the dealership and their going to look at it again - they gave me an unlimited - two year warranty....

For anyone who's had a motor replacement, is there anything that typically gets overlooked by a mechanic when replacing a long-block motor LT1 that could be the culprit?

[Jeff_in_Atl]

I just got the car back after more than two months for the shop to install the new long-block 350 LT1. When picking it up, they told me that it was overheating and it was probably the fans or relays. When driving it home, the temp did creep up to almost redline - even on the highway.

I took it to the Chevy dealer for a diagnostic and they told me that all the cooling components check out fine - it could be a leaky head gasket or possibly the head leaking coolant into #7 cylinder that is causing the motor to overheat.

Needless to say, I'm really pissed off.

The motor shop is towing it back in from the dealership and their going to look at it again - they gave me an unlimited - two year warranty....

For anyone who's had a motor replacement, is there anything that typically gets overlooked by a mechanic when replacing a long-block motor LT1 that could be the culprit?

Yea how to bleed the coolant system. Check it out.

[Joe 1320]

Yea how to bleed the coolant system. Check it out.

That's what I was going to say.

[Performin Norman]

I triple that response.

[fastTa]

I told you to make the drive to New Braunfels and we would do the work for you.

Which shop in SA put in the motor?

The LT1 cooling system bleeding procedure is often unknown and the proper cylinder head "torq'ing" procedure is commonly done wrong not allowing good compression and/or not allowing the coolant system to properly pressurize.

[97LT1Z28]

I told you to make the drive to New Braunfels and we would do the work for you.

Which shop in SA put in the motor?

The LT1 cooling system bleeding procedure is often unknown and the proper cylinder head "torq'ing" procedure is commonly done wrong not allowing good compression and/or not allowing the coolant system to properly pressurize.

I had it done at "The Motor Shop" on Commercial Ave in San Antonio.

I thought your shop couldn't do motor replacements . . . . ? If I would've known, I would have brought it straight to you.

I originally suspected air in the cooling system so did the bleed procedure as soon as I got it home. I also checked the fans and relays and everything checked out. That's the only reason why I took it to the dealership because I couldn't locate the source of the problem.

So you think the heads not being torqued on right could cause the problem??

[Jeff_in_Atl]

I wonder if they put a SBC thermostat in it rather than a LT1 thermostat.

[fastTa]

I had it done at "The Motor Shop" on Commercial Ave in San Antonio.

I thought your shop couldn't do motor replacements . . . . ? If I would've known, I would have brought it straight to you.

I originally suspected air in the cooling system so did the bleed procedure as soon as I got it home. I also checked the fans and relays and everything checked out. That's the only reason why I took it to the dealership because I couldn't locate the source of the problem.

So you think the heads not being torqued on right could cause the problem??

I think you just asked me if we did cylinder head porting in-house and I said no. But, R&R'ing a motor is a breeze.

If you need any further help, send me a PM and I'll be happy to take a look at it. I think you still have my cell.

[96Camaro]

well i have actualy heard of people putting the cylinder head gaskets on the wrong head and actualy blocking up coolant ports. so if you cant find anything else, have them pull the heads.