Motor swap help - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Jonathan0789 · 03-07-2016, 12:42 PM

Need some advice on my motor;

Last week when I went to turn on my Camaro it made a loud sound so I turned it off. After that the engine wouldn't turn over. I initially thought it was a bad starter so I towed it over to my mechanic to take a look. Turns out he said my spark plug broke off and shot into my internal engine and completely ruined my pistons and now my engine is blown. I had another place look at my car and got told the same answer. Both mechanics said they will write up to my insurance if need be.

Called my insurance to see if that could be covered but I highly doubt it will be.

Question; any advice on what to do?

Currently have a 2010 v8 6.2 just hit 100k miles

Thanks for any help!

Thor142 · 03-07-2016, 01:02 PM

So a piece of the plug broke off? The plug is threaded into the head so the only part that can break off would be the little conductor on the end. Even then you've got some damage inside that one single cylinder. How is the engine "blown"? Sounds fishy to me. Maybe you're holding back some details?

CamaroCracka · 03-07-2016, 01:06 PM

Not seeing how a sparkplug could break off. There is not that much sticking into the combustion chamber even with a projected tip. Did they show you the broken plug. A pic is worth a thousand words.

Get a used short block and have it installed. If you feel like spending some money, get a 416 block from one the vendors and have that installed. Port your heads if they are salvageable, if not get a used long block or a 416 long block from a vendor.

Jonathan0789 · 03-07-2016, 01:06 PM

Yeah still kinda stumped me how the small piece can wreck my whole engine. Going to go see my car today and talk with the mechanic. Never heard of a spark plug doing this much damage to more than one cylinder.

I'll snap some pics. Thanks guys!

Thor142 · 03-07-2016, 01:13 PM

Even if the ground broke off inside there the chances are pretty high it shot out the exhaust port. I don't think there's enough clearance between the piston and the cylinder wall for it to be jammed in there scoring the cylinder. I mean in the crazy scenario that it made it halfway out the exhaust port and the valve closed on it and the piston hit it you're STILL not talking an entirely "blown" engine. The scenario that would have to take place with that little piece of metal to cause across the board catastrophic failure is so unlikely it's probably not true.

KGoddard · 03-07-2016, 03:04 PM

I would be very surprised if your insurance covered anything related to that.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

Taco Time · 03-07-2016, 03:15 PM

1. you can have it rebuilt. Probably a few grand and will take time.

2. buy a used short block from a C5 member. (they typically sell for $2-3k depending on age/ condition.) Then you may be able to sell yours for a few hundred dollars.

3. stroker time!

It's not the end of the world. Yeah, it's gonna be a little pricey, but you can still come out okay when it's all said and done.

I'd go to a performance shop that works on our cars and get some input from them.

Taco Time · 03-07-2016, 03:20 PM

Here's a long block for sale.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=442486

Jonathan0789 · 03-07-2016, 03:36 PM

Spoke with the mechanic again and they had to stick a camera inside the motor to see the lodged spark plug. They said it damaged the piston and that's what messed with the engine. this is my second opinion and both mechanics said that it's not turning over bc the pistons are out of wack.

What would be the difference between a long and short block?

CamaroinCLE · 03-07-2016, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonathan0789

Spoke with the mechanic again and they had to stick a camera inside the motor to see the lodged spark plug. They said it damaged the piston and that's what messed with the engine. this is my second opinion and both mechanics said that it's not turning over bc the pistons are out of wack.

What would be the difference between a long and short block?

did they show you the pics? why not get a new piston and replace the rings on the others to restore the compression seal?

ravensjeff · 03-07-2016, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonathan0789

Spoke with the mechanic again and they had to stick a camera inside the motor to see the lodged spark plug. They said it damaged the piston and that's what messed with the engine. this is my second opinion and both mechanics said that it's not turning over bc the pistons are out of wack.

What would be the difference between a long and short block?

Level of completeness. Short block, for example, has no heads. Short blocks need a lot of extra work done to get it to being a long block.

I just put in a LSX376-B15 crate engine from GM since stock oil pump blew up the other engine. I got a "Long Block". Did some other mods too and tossed the Maggie back on top. Thing is vicious. Getting ready for the final tune.

No comment on your current engine status other then it sounds pretty odd. Good luck either way.

Jonathan0789 · 03-07-2016, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroinCLE

did they show you the pics? why not get a new piston and replace the rings on the others to restore the compression seal?

I haven't had a chance to stop to the shop mainly bc LA traffic sucks but I spoke to the mechanic about just swapping out the broken piston and the rings as a cheaper alternative to swapping out the motor and he started saying by doing that I'd have to swap out other pieces as well. Might look for a place to get a third opinion. The engine I have isn't flooded nor cracked so why switch the entire motor.

Jonathan0789 · 03-07-2016, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taco Time

Here's a long block for sale.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=442486

Thanks for the help! He said it went quick.

JerTM · 03-07-2016, 09:42 PM

Without actually seeing the block and damage to the engine everyone is just guessing and hoping for the best. Scoring is possible to the cylinder wall with debris in the combustion chamber. If a piston was shattered or broken, the shop is protecting their best interest by suggesting a new engine. It's impossible to get all the debris out without removing the engine, disassembling, and cleaning it all. And it "would be their fault" if the engine failed again in the future because the cheaper route was decided by the customer. Get the cylinder head off and get a good look at it all. If only the head was damaged it can be replaced by itself and be just fine. If the piston is intact but damaged you could change that piston to. If the piston is cracked or broken at all, inspect the cylinder wall for damage. A borescope isn't good enough to condemn everything.

03-07-2016, 12:42 PM	#1
Jonathan0789 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 8	Motor swap help Need some advice on my motor; Last week when I went to turn on my Camaro it made a loud sound so I turned it off. After that the engine wouldn't turn over. I initially thought it was a bad starter so I towed it over to my mechanic to take a look. Turns out he said my spark plug broke off and shot into my internal engine and completely ruined my pistons and now my engine is blown. I had another place look at my car and got told the same answer. Both mechanics said they will write up to my insurance if need be. Called my insurance to see if that could be covered but I highly doubt it will be. Question; any advice on what to do? Currently have a 2010 v8 6.2 just hit 100k miles Thanks for any help!

03-07-2016, 01:06 PM	#3
CamaroCracka Drives: 2010 Turbo LS3 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Palm Bay, FL Posts: 3,041	Not seeing how a sparkplug could break off. There is not that much sticking into the combustion chamber even with a projected tip. Did they show you the broken plug. A pic is worth a thousand words. Get a used short block and have it installed. If you feel like spending some money, get a 416 block from one the vendors and have that installed. Port your heads if they are salvageable, if not get a used long block or a 416 long block from a vendor. __________________ 2010 SS - Kind of an On3 kit, CTR 78/80, CompCam 239/251 620/632 122+4, E85, Z28 suspension and ZL1 diff with Outlaw axles. Gen6 ZL1 brakes. 2011 Vert - 416/w 230/236 .612/.602 115lsa, 1LE suspension w/32mm rear bar. Z28 diff. Gen6 ZL1 brakes.

03-07-2016, 03:04 PM	#6
KGoddard Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: NOVA Posts: 351 View My Garage	I would be very surprised if your insurance covered anything related to that. Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk __________________ 12.3 @113MPH - Full Bolt-Ons w/ Nitto 555r on 18" wheel

03-07-2016, 03:15 PM	#7
Taco Time Drives: 2014 1SS Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Angleton, TX Posts: 1,338 View My Garage	1. you can have it rebuilt. Probably a few grand and will take time. 2. buy a used short block from a C5 member. (they typically sell for $2-3k depending on age/ condition.) Then you may be able to sell yours for a few hundred dollars. 3. stroker time! It's not the end of the world. Yeah, it's gonna be a little pricey, but you can still come out okay when it's all said and done. I'd go to a performance shop that works on our cars and get some input from them. __________________ Taco's 2014 SS Mods: 417 Stroker \| CAI \| Bo's PTB \| Kooks LTs \| Flowmaster Outlaw Catback \| Night Fury Cam \| Powerbond UDP \| Apex Catch Can \|PRC Ported Heads \|FAST 102 Intake \|Suspension Crap\| Built by J-Rod.

03-07-2016, 03:20 PM	#8
Taco Time Drives: 2014 1SS Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Angleton, TX Posts: 1,338 View My Garage	Here's a long block for sale. http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=442486 __________________ Taco's 2014 SS Mods: 417 Stroker \| CAI \| Bo's PTB \| Kooks LTs \| Flowmaster Outlaw Catback \| Night Fury Cam \| Powerbond UDP \| Apex Catch Can \|PRC Ported Heads \|FAST 102 Intake \|Suspension Crap\| Built by J-Rod.

03-07-2016, 01:02 PM	#2
Thor142 Drives: 2014 2LS (traded in) 2015 1SS 1LE Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: New York Posts: 2,132	So a piece of the plug broke off? The plug is threaded into the head so the only part that can break off would be the little conductor on the end. Even then you've got some damage inside that one single cylinder. How is the engine "blown"? Sounds fishy to me. Maybe you're holding back some details?

03-07-2016, 01:13 PM	#5
Thor142 Drives: 2014 2LS (traded in) 2015 1SS 1LE Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: New York Posts: 2,132	Even if the ground broke off inside there the chances are pretty high it shot out the exhaust port. I don't think there's enough clearance between the piston and the cylinder wall for it to be jammed in there scoring the cylinder. I mean in the crazy scenario that it made it halfway out the exhaust port and the valve closed on it and the piston hit it you're STILL not talking an entirely "blown" engine. The scenario that would have to take place with that little piece of metal to cause across the board catastrophic failure is so unlikely it's probably not true.

03-07-2016, 03:36 PM	#9
Jonathan0789 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 8	Spoke with the mechanic again and they had to stick a camera inside the motor to see the lodged spark plug. They said it damaged the piston and that's what messed with the engine. this is my second opinion and both mechanics said that it's not turning over bc the pistons are out of wack. What would be the difference between a long and short block?

03-07-2016, 09:42 PM	#14
JerTM Drives: 2011 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Utah Posts: 1,940	Without actually seeing the block and damage to the engine everyone is just guessing and hoping for the best. Scoring is possible to the cylinder wall with debris in the combustion chamber. If a piston was shattered or broken, the shop is protecting their best interest by suggesting a new engine. It's impossible to get all the debris out without removing the engine, disassembling, and cleaning it all. And it "would be their fault" if the engine failed again in the future because the cheaper route was decided by the customer. Get the cylinder head off and get a good look at it all. If only the head was damaged it can be replaced by itself and be just fine. If the piston is intact but damaged you could change that piston to. If the piston is cracked or broken at all, inspect the cylinder wall for damage. A borescope isn't good enough to condemn everything.