HIPO GM crate engines

[LVCamaro]

Does GM test fire/run the crate engines they offer through GM Performance Div?

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[olredalert]

-------GM used to start all complete engines on propane, I think. Im not sure if its a practice now or not.........Bill S

[LVCamaro]

I remember those days, Bill...I'm hoping someone here is informed about current crate engine policy/procedure. I couldn't find anything on the Internet to confirm/deny the process these days.

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[Mr70]

I believe they still do Steve.
Chuck Hanson used to raffle off a complete brand new GM 502 Crate engine at the A.C.E.S Nashville Chevell-Abrations in the past.(He raffles off 1K cash now)
I walked up to look at it,and could see it was clearly fired up at one time.
Chuck had mentioned that it was tested and proved upon delivery.

[Chevy454]

I don't like where this thread is going, Steve! Please tell me this isn't in referencet to a certain yellow 'Vert...

[LVCamaro]

We installed and briefly test fired/ran the new Ram-Jet ZL1 crate engine last Monday in my 69 Chevelle inside the shop...without a load, everything seemed fine. Then, last Friday, we pulled the Chevelle outside the shop under it's own power to set up for a road test mile or two. At high idle RPM while in gear doing a clutch/shift test in the parking lot, we suddenly heard rod noise! We immediately shut it down and yanked the engine to find EVERY rod cap nut was only speed wrench tight [less than 10 TQ] and the mains held less that 45 TQ. The rod/main bearings appear to be the only damage, but with the Memorial Holiday weekend, it'll be Tuesday before new bearings/gaskets arrive for another test run Tuesday evening.

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