Nice times. It sucks that you keep struggling with the same issues. I hope you get the motor sorted out quickly. I'll be back in MA in two weeks and will be itching to do some racing at NED.

 

Thanks for the input atomic I think Im gonna go with a 370 if I get a new motor. I now have the opportunity to buy a 03 6.0 with 105k on it locally.... So im torn now. just buy the used motor for cheap and slap it in with my heads if they are ok with ls9 gaskets and im going to buy ARP studs. I my goal for this summer was somewhere north of 500 rwhp. I think if shoot for like 550 my trans is gonna go, since its still a 143k mile 4l80e with just a transgo shift kit

Im starting to think to just buy the used motor and run it since right now I dont have huge goals, I also literally have 5k in my bank account to play with and thats it, otherwise Id have to borrow money

 

A 370/408 is 4.030" bore, keep it at 4.000" or 4.005" as a cleanup. You want the thicker cylinder walls for more stability, you wont miss the ~4 cubes.

Never ever borrow money to work on a project vehicle, thats a horrible idea

 

Grab the used motor as long as you know its strong.

I would rather see you toss the money at a meth kit at this point. Even at your weight with a good tune and good fuel, a stock motor will last.

 

Ryan I dunno what you're paying for that motor, but I got a buddy in Boston with one and I don't think he's asking an absurd price. I'll talk to him tonight and get back to you.

 

Running anything but a JY motor for 500 is a massive waste.

And for power level I would absolutely not take the heads off to put LS9s or studs. I'd put good valve springs on it and that's it.

 

So I did grab that motor and everything looked good, I got it with literally the entire wiring harness for trans and all with computer they didnt cut anything. It came with both 02s still in cut off exhaust pipes, waterpump, front brackets, power steering pump but no alternator or ac compressor.

I also had a hour long talk with my girlfreind's dad whos been a mopar tech for like 30 years and has built his fair share of cars and motors. I explained my supposed coolant in oil issue and he thinks it is condensation building up like I was told last fall when I first noticed. And i didnt know that oil can make the condensation taste sweet, just like coolant. So I need to vent the crankcase better, the two 3/8 hoses to a can arent cutting it i guess.

So my idea was get a electric smog pump from something in 90s, I found a reman one from a olds on ebay for $50, and use that as a vacuum pump for the crankcase. I know belt driven vacuum pumps on drag cars do wonders to make horsepower so a little electric one should vent my engine no problem id imagine. I'd just run a hose from the top of my catch can to the pump and I hope that should work

The motor and everything is for sale too 105k on it, its going to have new knock sensors and new exhaust manifold gaskets put on it too if anyone wants/knows someone to buy it

 

How is the catch can vented? maybe the issue is not going to the catch can but once its there is cant escape well enough?

 

It has a regular k&n style valve cover breather in the top, no other restrictions

 

curious- how did it turn out?