Well I went out today and started my 03 lightning after it has been parked for a couple of months(been so cold here). It idled for about 10 mins then missed hard once, and then stopped. Seized. And yes i checked the oil first. It starting to tick a little before I parked it and wasn't running well. Figured it was the cold. Well after it sat for awhile it started again, but doesn't sound good ticking alot. Only got 35000 kms out of it. Not overly hard kms either, but I did drive it like it should be drivin. lol Got it in my garage today and going to start the inspection. What usually fails? I like it sounds like a rod bearing or something went but not sure. That killed my spring fever in a hurry. Sucks to be me..
Incase the bottom end went, does Anybody know a good place in Canada that sells a built shortblock at a reasonable price? Has anybody ordered one from the big guys in the usa, and had it shipped to Canada? What kind of shipping and duty did you get charged?

 

Could be a rod. The rods a "snap" design, they are made as one piece then the cap is scored and snapped. See the irregular line on the joint:

 

Ouch.Best of luck and go overboard getting it back up to full potential

 

The good news for you is that the value of the dollar has gone down so much compared to other currencies that anything you buy here will be on sale.

 

Yeah the dollar helps. Its just the duty at the border that can get you. I started stripping it down last night. Got the blower, etc off. Hopeing to pull it out in the next few days.

 

Looking at the rotors in the supercharger, is it normal to have some of the chrome plating coming off in the middle of the rotors?

 

Where are you located?

 

Manitoba.

 

Don't know shops in Manitoba but in London you have Sean Hyland and in Toronto Dasylva Racing--Ask for Joe.

Less hassle but a little more money; another option is a GT-500 crate engine which will drop right in. That engine was initially developed for the Gen3 Lightning.

 

nice pic. i wonder who took it

<------

Will

 

Well I finally got the motor torn down. First #2, 7, and 8 spark plugs where gone. #2 had the electrode burn right off, and 7 and 8 had broken porcelain around the electrode. What would cause this?

But the killer was the very front and very back main bearings had spun, and seized to the crank. Not good. The crank is marked so its screwed. Anybody know where a guy could buy the forged rods, pistons, and crank in Canada, that all the big lightning shops in the US are selling? What parts do you recommend using. All the pistons and cylinders are ok, but are they worth reusing? Is much gained by going to 20 over?

 

That's a clear sign of detonation.

A short block is definitely the easier route but you need to get at the root cause of your problem or else you will be in the same boat again. Even a built block won't endure pre-ignition for very long.

Which tuning are you using?

 

Well the bearings went because of a oiling problem. Lost oil pressure. Condensation caused pick-up to freeze. Doesn't like the winter. Don't use it enough. Won't be using it in the winter anymore.

As for the plugs, I'm using a mail order tune from jlp. But it could also be poor gas, As some of the gas we get here is questionable.

Short block is easiest, but the blocks still good and would save me some money I think. Not sure what machine shops are charging lately? Its been awhile since I rebuilt a automotive engine.

 

Depends ... $12,000 to $15,000 ???

< grin > But you end up with a complete animal of an engine

 

Sorry to hear it Bro

I would buy a JLP Built Short Block and have it shipped to one of our Brothers on the USA side of the Border (then just come get it). SOMEONE lives in Platsburg I just got to remember who ???

OR

Check this page often, they always have New or Take Out COMPLETE L Motors cheap...

At the moment they do have this L short block for $1895.00



Precision Built

5.4 Lightning S/C Short Blocks

$1895.00

specify 99/01 or 02/03 NVH version

complete with steel 8 bolt crank and forged pistons!

Unfortunately I also found this
We no longer ship outside the United States

But you must know someone on the USA side NO ???

BEST OF LUCK