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Re: new engines for the GMCs [message #316571 is a reply to message #316311] Mon, 24 April 2017 20:17 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
Mike S   United States
Messages: 82
Registered: February 2017
Location: Vero Beach, FL
Karma:
Member
Since most of you out there do not know me, maybe a little background is in order.

I am 55. I learned to weld and fabricate at 13, Worked on a farm as a youth(boy the things you learn there). Had my first street rod at 15. Built my first Rod at 16. Had 3 periods a day of machine shop 1 year. Rebuilt my first motor at 17. Spent 2 1/2 years at college studying mechanical engineering. Left college to work for an ARCA race team. Built a motor that qualified at Daytona ACRA race 7th. 1981 ACRA national champions, I was the only full time paid guy on the team. Multiple local short track championships. Been boat racing for over 30 years. Tunnel, offshore, hydroplanes, P1, and lots of lake racers.

Engine transplant history
1995 Buick Roadmaster wagon-2001 5.3 ls
1972 Chevy Greenbrier(chevelle) wagon-1995 LT1
1972 Chevy El Camino-1992 throttle body 350
Friends 1967 Toyota LandCruiser Tuned port 383
Friends Jeep CJ 5 383 Holley Projection
Jeep CJ 7 Glass tub Chevy 4.3 V6
1930 Model A ford Pickup- 4 wheel drive 4 inches off the ground. Built in 192 with 1987 1 piece pan 355 ci 6 inch Rod Motor
I had my own Semi repair garage for 3 years. We were a Consolidated Freight primary vendor.

I worked on my first GMC in 1984, We had a doctor whose coach we maintained for 5 years. That's when I feel in love.

First meet Alex Sirum in 1985, when I spent 2 winters working in the marine business in Okeechobee.

I was one of the first 150 people hired at Steel Dynamics. We built a steel mill in a corn field. Worked 10 years as a millwright. One of the most technical/mechanical jobs you can have.

I have a little experience.

Again, this project comes from a conversation with Jim Bounds and backed up with Jeff Sirum.

We are going to need another motor if these coaches are to last the next 40 years. When I built the first street rod in 1977, I was not going to just rebuild the model a engine. I could have. And people are still rebuilding Model As, But engines options had gotten much better in the 46 years since the original.

If I needed a new motor in my Coach, has motor technology improved in the last 43 years, YES

Would I do something right now, I don't know.

Jim would love to have a new crate engine to put in his customers coaches. To quote Jim, "If I had a good crate engine, I would never rebuild another 455."

He has done other conversions, most of us know that. It takes a lot of time to develop a new package. He has employees and customers and obligations. When we talked, he said he would be interested in buying kits if they could be made.

I have a great relationship with Jeff Sirum. I retired at 55, but I wanted a small shop to help out retirement money. I am already doing all Jeff's fiberglass parts. And we are making new molds for parts that are not currently available. We have the Dash Cover, New improved molds for interior cab sides. Next is a new cab interior cap mold. And after that we are going to be able to keep the stock dash with a new "birdcage" part.

The "small block" pan and front mount will be easy. Like I said above, If I needed a motor replacement, I would put in the HT383. On longevity. Everything that spins has a life span, any bearing engineer will tell you that. reduce the load, like reduce the vibration or amount of out-of-balance and you will increase life. The new motors go 200,000 miles because of technology, they only have to go around 1/2 as much. Look at the gearing in you truck. they can go down the road at 1500 rpm.
Half what our coaches do.

Do I believe long engine life is possible with good maintenance, Sure Do. you can cook down a brand new motor with just 1 small coolant leak. Ben there done that. More engines fail from poor maintenance than just wear out.

Would I be comfortable with a 100,000 mile motor, Heck Yeah, if it never gave me any problems. How many miles are we averaging a year in our coaches? I am averaging 7,000 miles. I think that is on the high side of average. So at the end of the next 14 years, I need to replace the power plant, I will do it with the newest Mr. Fusion.

I agree, the LS conversion is not easy. It's why only one person I can find bolted one up. And he had to mill down the block. Not really a bolt in.

I have had interest in the LS from outside the GMC community. I will build the pieces. They won't be cheap because there are a lot of them. And will it fit our coaches well? NO. Would they work great? Probably. Will somebody want one? I don't know.
I kind of hope, "If I build it, they will come."

Once I build the hard parts, if someone wants to partner up on the first LS build, I will do it. We will figure out the parts needed and put it out to the world. Anything can be done with enough time and money.

Mike

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