New long block engine runs well, but has some significant vibration!

[Jim S]

So, I've squashed nearly all my issues so far ( over heating, steering gear leak etc) But this new engine seems to have some pretty significant vibration.  It's bolted up to the same flexplate, torque converter and transmission as the old engine.  No vibration when coasting (engine off) so I thing the u joints are OK.  One mechanic I know listened to it yesterday and said to replace the motor mounts.  I did that today and it made no difference. I'm stumped on this one.  Any ideas, i'm all ears.  Thanks in advance!

[mfg]

34 minutes ago, Jim S said:

So, I've squashed nearly all my issues so far ( over heating, steering gear leak etc) But this new engine seems to have some pretty significant vibration.  It's bolted up to the same flexplate, torque converter and transmission as the old engine.  No vibration when coasting (engine off) so I thing the u joints are OK.  One mechanic I know listened to it yesterday and said to replace the motor mounts.  I did that today and it made no difference. I'm stumped on this one.  Any ideas, i'm all ears.  Thanks in advance!

Is the new engine one of the external balance units?… If so, you may not be using the correct flex plate.

[Jim S]

I don't know about that.  I purchased it from Powertrain Products. I was just a professionally rebuilt Chevy 350 long block minus only the manifolds, water pump and harmonic balancer.  I bolted the crankshaft to my flexplate and that to the transmission assy.

 

[A0136]

Jim 

Did your 72 Avanti still have the 400 Chevy engine. If it did the 400 is externally balanced using a different front dampener and flex plate than the 350 used.  You will need to install the 350 dampener and flex plate.  
Steve.  

[Jim S]

I don't know which engine was  in the car before. I have no information on it.  The flex plate mounted with 3 flanges to the torque convertor. I have been waiting for over a month to get the build sheet I ordered. It still has not come yet.

[mfg]

1 hour ago, Jim S said:

I don't know which engine was  in the car before. I have no information on it.  The flex plate mounted with 3 flanges to the torque convertor. I have been waiting for over a month to get the build sheet I ordered. It still has not come yet.

Yes…A0136 is correct about that front damper if your Avanti originally had the 400 CI engine…and a ‘72 would have.

Edited 7 hours ago by mfg
Spell

[Jim S]

I wish to thank all the smart people for enlightening me on this subject. After comparing the harmonic balancer on my engine, it is indeed from a 400ci.  The guy that sold me the car thought it was a 350 and so that is the long block I installed.  So I have to change out the balancer and the flex plate.  I only ran the engine for less than an hour and pray I have not damaged it!!.  Last question is can the trannie be dropped with the engine in place  on an Avanti? Or do I have to pull the engine?  I'd like to just take it to a  transmission shop to change the flex plate.

Edited 7 hours ago by Jim S

[mfg]

1 hour ago, Jim S said:

I wish to thank all the smart people for enlightening me on this subject. After comparing the harmonic balancer on my engine, it is indeed from a 400ci.  The guy that sold me the car thought it was a 350 and so that is the long block I installed.  So I have to change out the balancer and the flex plate.  I only ran the engine for less than an hour and pray I have not damaged it!!.  Last question is can the trannie be dropped with the engine in place  on an Avanti? Or do I have to pull the engine?  I'd like to just take it to a  transmission shop to change the flex plate.

Well that’s all in all good news!…..Your 350 should run smooth as silk with the 400 parts changed out…. Yes, the trans can be pulled back without engine removal, but if it were me, I think I’d pull the motor….Pretty easy with a Chevy in an Avanti!

[Jim S]

I agree on pulling the engine/tranny together.  Problem for me is, I can't find a hoist with a boom long enough to reach the center of the engine.  This last swap was very difficult to do with the short boom I had to work with.  It took 3 people with a lof of muscle to push the engine forward at an angle on the hoist.  I looked  at the 72 specs on Bob Johnson's page and it showed only a  350 engine.  Probably where the confusion lay.  Was the 400 a special option?

[mfg]

13 minutes ago, Jim S said:

I agree on pulling the engine/tranny together.  Problem for me is, I can't find a hoist with a boom long enough to reach the center of the engine.  This last swap was very difficult to do with the short boom I had to work with.  It took 3 people with a lof of muscle to push the engine forward at an angle on the hoist.  I looked  at the 72 specs on Bob Johnson's page and it showed only a  350 engine.  Probably where the confusion lay.  Was the 400 a special option?

I understand… but I did not mean to pull the engine trans together…Last time I did a job like that, I unbolted the engine from the trans, and left the transmission in place… Not too bad a job with the Chevy engine… a bit harder with the larger Studebaker V8!

Ther 400 CI engines were factory installed as standard equipment in Avanti ll’s from ‘71 thru about ‘77… I’m guessing on the years.

[mfg]

PS… those 400’s had so much torque they broke the frame under the engine mount on several Avanti ll’s!

[wildfelr]

RQB3263.... WHEN I INSTALLED THE 700R4 IN 3263 THE TH350 CAME OUT AND 700 BACK IN 3 HRS ROUND TRIP WITH ONE HOTRODDER THAT KNEW WHAT HE WAS DOING AND ME....AND A BORROWED  TRANS JACK.... ... SO NO NEED TO PULL THE ENGINE ...BILL IN FLORIDA