Hemi rework disaster

I'm having to completely redo the 528 aluminum Hemi I got from HP performance, and because of all the negative press that I have posted on here about it, I was wondering if anybody was interested in what has happened so far with this engine. After a lot of checking and work the block is savable and is being repaired as we speak, but it was touch and go. If anybody is interested I can post up dates as they happen as the engine comes along. I had a lot of good advise from Bob George, and crew on it, so I am curious as to how it will turn out.

HP is where?

Maryville, Tn.

What the heck...... I like a good drama

Keep it coming... I'm going thru the same scenario....

Bring it. Besides the entertainment, it might even help someone.

Yes. Do tell.

Is this HP performance the ones that make aerated hemi blocks?

Yes, the same HP I guess, they have had a couple variations of the same name. Without going back and trying to tell the whole story which I have posted on here before, I'll just start from when I pulled the engine back out after only 2000 miles, and drinking a qt of oil every 75 to 100 miles. Pulled the engine and took to a local shop I trust, they said the bores were over size, and not straight, and the distributor/oil pump drive gear bushing hole was off center. The engine had been put together dirty and as a result the bearings were shot. It was sucking oil through the intake, and the rings may have never seated. My shop man said the cylinder liners were too thin to bore. He was able to fix the bushing for the dist drive, BUT I had to buy 8 new liners, at $1400. He talked to LA sleeve and they said that HP shopped for price, and not for what they needed. I also remember that the original builder complaining about the sleeves. So maybe this week the sleeves will be going in.The motor also has to low of a compression for the cam that was installed, and the cam is to big for the way the car is set up. The hyd roller lifters will also have to be replaced cause the retainers popped out of a few of them, that will be $800. I can keep updating as the build/ repair progresses.

You will be fine in Bob and AJs hands. You just might pick up some POWER also!!

My local shop is doing the work, I was going to take to Bob, but that didn't happen. Bob, and AJ have been very helpful on the phone with very good advice.

Thought it was time for an update on this POS from HP performance. Yes, I mean David Everhart. Milan Keslier built it. Two new problems have now popped up. I can't reuse the lifters cause the retainer clip for the hyd unit has a bad design and keeps popping out, so my shop ordered a new set of Morel hyd roller lifters, which measure just a little undersize compared to the others. When he checked the bushing bore he found too large of a clearance, one was .007 with the old lifters, so now he has to put new bushings in. Four of the roller tipped exhaust rockers didn't have any holes drilled to oil the pushrod tips. But today while he was getting ready to make those holes, he found at least one of the other rockers where the hole was drilled in the rocker wasn't drilled through the bushing on the inside. He is also going to drill squirt holes for the tip also. But for the original engine builder...who takes parts out of the box, and doesn't look at it to see if is is ok or not. I mean crap, this is getting old. More to come as we go along.

Seen all kinds of abominations come into the shop at FHO.
HPP isn't the only engine blacksmith

You work at FHO??

I was going to ask the same question.

Not trying to hijack this thread but I need contact info for FHO and Ray Barton, I'm building a pump gas 572 C.I. Hemi motor with a new cast iron World block and I need new aluminum heads, rockers, intake and so on for this build. I did a search on my ISP for FHO and the sites that came up didn't look correct Thanks in advance.

Don't know that he has a website but here is his contact info.


For Hemis Only
Tim Banning
5173 Rice Lake Dr
Bewdley, ON K0L 1E0, Canada
Phone: (905) 797-2459

Thanks

I don't work there but do help out on projects

That is the correct info.
His site is down for a revamp. Lots of irons in the fire

Ray Barton Racing Engines 610-693-5700

www.raybarton.com

He currently has my block.

Ok, another new problem. 4 of the pushrod adjusters are too short, where would be a good place to buy high quality adjusters?

Manton heat treated,951-245-6565
Not cheap either, they take a and keep on keeping on
Make sure you give them the thread size, count and length needed for the new adjusters

Something isnt right if you need 4 longer adjusters

Unless 4 of them are just shorter than the other 12.

Of course, if that isn't the case, then yes.........something isn't right.

He put 4 in that were shorter. Nothing is right.

Terribly frustrating with all the problems on a new build.

This isn't a new build. This is fixing what the original builder did, and he is a respected builder.

Smith Brothers is another source for pushrods and adjusters...
800-367-1533
Sorry for your troubles.
Todd

I just ordered a full set of adjusters from Smith Bro's just to be on the safe side.