Looking inside a $10,000 ZR1 Corvette Engine that was Salt Water Flooded and Sat for Months!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2023
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I bought this Totaled Salt Water Flooded Corvette ZR1 really cheap. Today we look inside the engine to see if it can be saved after the salt water had been sitting for months!
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I can't believe the internals looked that clean. Man, you lucked out BIG TIME.
lucked out or luck in?
You ruined it.
you ruined it .
well these days new lube and oils to ? have water stuff stop even rusting to ? work my Dad engine shop 25 yrs ? i would had change engine oil cause of leak ? BUT the trans rear end ? no way ? as clear i seen salt water to ? TRANS GEAR LUBE & REAR END to ! it takes months or years to RUST GEARS ? cause lube sticks like GLUE ???? and that is why it looked so clean so PRETTY ? LOL ? to
Hey same I've got a rare 1991 300zx asure blue needs a little work but runs perfectly it needs a guy like you.. I've actually got 3 to pick from if interested
All those internals look incredibly clean, so no reason it shouldn't run and drive.
As a total lay person. Should I consider "run and drive" to mean: itll be 100% again or?
It may never be 100% again, but that remains to be seen, so just have to see what happens. It would be worth a restoration though.
I just like how other car TH-camrs are rallying around their recently divorced brothers! YT is rapidly turning into Mensgroup apparently! Mat Armstrong’s GT3 build is also fun to watch and you can see how therapeutic it is for Tavarish to have another dude in the shop with him! Shmee has been making the rounds also … interesting to see UK guys coming to lend support to their American counterparts! Let’s just hope Tyler’s, Ed’s, Alex’s and Doug’s wives don’t start flipping on them, because then we’d have a real situation on our hands here!
I agree a car is just a collection of man-made parts, and if they are clean and not corroded and properly lubricated they will be absolutely fine. The problem with flood cars is people just "get them going and sell them..." without taking the care Sam is taking. Someone will get a bargain with this car.
Just wait for all the electrical gremlins to pop up
You do really deserve a win on this one, you paid your dues with some of the gems you've bought. Good luck!
Fingers crossed!
The failures are a lot of fun but a big win is exciting for a change.
Lol. A bunch of pain before a win. Nice
Out of every TH-camr doing flood car rebuilds it is so nice to see one finally draining all fluids and flushing it out before a first start. Way to go Sam. 👍
Glad you liked it!
For reeaal huh lol that decision ought to come natural for any person that drives a vehicle
Great to see Scott / Ratarossa helping out. Super talented guy.
Sam I think you're gonna be fine here. It doesn't appear to have been run after the flood therefore the film strength of the lubricants was never diluted or washed away. With a manual trans you will be fine. I see no rust or corrosion. I am gonna step up and say this is a WINNER!
Agree
Maybe depending on how long it sat there I had a friend who bought a former flood car Challenger had to have the 6-speed rebuilt after while they were pitting on the main shaft
I hope the Vette lives again! Great video!
I hope so too!
Hey your samcrac im just watching the video. Alex from the uk
Those LT5 engines in the ZR-1 really are something special. I hope it gets the chance to sing again.
Loving this collaboration! Samcrac and Ratarossa! And of course, “the Corvette From Hell”, the ZR-1! Bring her back to life guys! You got this!
Salt water never lets anything steel off easy. I'm blown away with the lack of corrosion. I work on pumps that do saltwater and everything gets eaten up, even ignition coils on the gasoline engines fall apart just being around the mist. You got super lucky. What a great buy!
He will need a new exhaust, though. Everything from the headers back once it gets dried out and hot, the residual salt will rust it all out in no time. But if all he needs is a new exhaust and cats, that's cheap considering how bad it could be ( and usually is )
It takes oxygen for quick corrosion to occur.....I have "reused" an outboard motor that had been submerged for months. Fill with MMO/diesel mix and let it sit
Sam, you need to invest in a service manual as the procedures give you step by step instructions and keep you from finding surprise fasteners. The C4 is an incredible chassis for it's time. Mine was a Yellow on Black '96 with a 6 speed. I wish I never sold it. Love watching you work on your LT5 ZR1.
There’s little to-no corrosion because the layer of oil over the saltwater prevented oxygen for reaching the metal, no oxygen - no oxidation. You were smart to fill the engine with diesel after you drained all the water and oil. It looks great!
So… I got a notification last night that Sam put up a video about selling all his projects and “moving on”. I went to watch it this morning and it is now set to private🤔 Is Sam quitting TH-cam? Did anyone catch it before he set it to private??
It was awesome to meet you guys yesterday! Keep the awesome videos coming!
You actually met his brother
Thanks! You too!
@@Matthew_Finn he actually wanted to me Samcracs step mom!!
Wow! I would have never purchased a saltwater-flooded vehicle, but I truly hope that all turns out splendidly!
The problem with flooded vehicles is not necessarily the mechanical components, but the elecrical components, I do believe.
Good Luck, Sam!!!!!
Yeesh! Good luck with that. After thinking about it for a bit, I wonder if the salt water in the oil pan pushed the engine oil to the top, thus protected the engine from the corrosive salt water.
Yeah he said that in one of the earlier videos...when the cylinders were full of oil.
The second most expensive thing on that car is the trans. ~4k for a rebuild. You can get lucky and find them used and in working order but most likely a zf6 from a non Z so you would have to swap over the input shaft. The zf6 is the most rare and expensive thing to worry. There wasn’t too much water so you may get lucky. Run amsoil synchromesh (or penzoil or redline) in it, NOT the bmw engine oil that may come up recommended some places or some generic gear oil. It is a stout trans but expensive to fix/replace. It is stronger than almost any t56 and unmatched in the corvettes until the tr6060.
When pulling the diff/trans or whatever it’s easiest and best to completely remove the beam (c-beam) that goes between the trans and diff along with the drive shaft. It is actually very easy to get a wrench on top to capture the nut and you can use vice grips to clamp the wrench to the c-beam if needed. To strengthen the beam and make reinstall much easier order or make some beam plates…they have captured nuts that make things easier and then no reason to contort to get a wrench on top. Also, there is actually an alignment/spacing you need to ensure when reinstalling the c-beam. It is measured between the back of the trans and the tunnel (to the side and above).
Warning that the c-beam is what is supporting the trans and engine so you must place a support under the trans or engine if unbolting or removing the c-beam. Otherwise you will crunch the firewall and stuff on the back of the motor when it tilts down.
Used lt5 motors should be able to be had for much less than 10k…but it looks like you are fine.
Best part about C4s is they are relatively cheap and easy to maintain…even considering the trans (which is the most costly to fix)…the lt5 is an anvil and lasts a very very long time.
Honestly it looks like you scored big time.
93 lt1 6 speed owner
these are the best videos b/c it gives you insight you may never experience & if you do, now you know something ahead of time
Everything really looks good!… I’m honestly impressed how clean everything has been. Good luck! I’m rooting for a win on this one
To my mind, the only safe-ish way of getting a nice cheap flood car - without risking it being a real lemon - is to try and get one you want just as soon after the flood as possible. That way you minimise the level of corrosion, whether it be in mechanical or electrical parts, or even inside the engine itself!
I think if you really loved your car you would have at least drained it after the water damage.
Kind of make sense that the lubricants actually protected the components from salt water ! Love your videos and your tenacity is second to none !
I was utterly shocked on how clean the pistons and cylinder walls were when you dropped the oil pan 😱. Looks like soaking it for a week did the trick. I think you’re going to be able to bring this one back from the dead Sam. I love the color of the car too. Can’t wait to hear it run!!! 👍😁🤞
Love the collaboration videos with Scott. You two are kindred spirits who really have a good chemistry together. Makes for entertaining car education.
Total win on this one, and saving a valuable historic car is always a good thing!
I was waiting a week since the last cliffhanger 😂😂 you never disappoint hope it’s up and running soon 💪💪
Well done Sam! This car will run and drive! Gearbox will be fine with a flush. Clutch may give some trouble though as the pressure plate may have fused to the clutch. If so just crank it in second or third in safe place with hand brake on, foot hard on brake pedal and clutch depressed. Or if you can get it moving and running in you field apply the brakes with the clutch depressed. Good luck.
Really enjoyed this one. You might have lucked out on this time. Bonus having the special helper. I always enjoy when he is in town. Cant wait to see how it turns out.
really enjoying this series! we have a 1991 ZR1 in the family and its cool to watch you working on one!
I’m really digging this car and also you getting it back on the road. Can’t wait for the next video and keeping my fingers crossed everything goes good.
I have a 91 and a 94 ZR1 vettes ,I bought both for cheap after hurricane Katrina
We took both cars and dumped them in a fresh water pond for a couple days ,it did a amazing job
Samcrac’s name must come from how addictive his channel is. 3 weeks without a video from him and I’m having serious withdrawals!!
We'll be back this weekend
Not me looking for any sign from samcrac making another TH-cam video
My dream car🥰. It's so great to see you fixing this up! Love your work!
Try to mix some rice powder in the engine oil. Could make wonders...or more probably a mess.
Where could one find some rice? If only someone had 4000 pounds of it. 😆
That lift might be the best purchase you have ever made
Let's acknowledge Samcracc has a lift finally.
I think it might have been sponsored. I don't think he would have one if it wasn't.
Loving this project so far.
This lift came in handy this time 🙌🏽
I love that you used YamaBond 4 to seal it up! 👍 Can't wait to see it fire up.
Best. Gasket maker. Ever.
Great content Sam can't wait to see her run.
Well...I had to write a note telling you about the rear diff...and I'm doing it before I've read all the comments or finishing your video...because you appear to be poised to drop the entire thing out to get the bat wing off. I've had a couple off without dropping the complete diff; you can pull the cover while leaving all the other stuff in the car. If you simply intended on inspecting and changing the fluid...it's doable and very easy. Believe it or not...I used a roll around engine hoist, while up on my lift, to help with removing the leaf spring and then holding the diff up while I had the bat wing out. Worked like a charm. Now I'll see what you did.
Yup...you took the diff out. If you had removed the spare tire and cover you would have had easy access to all the rear diff cover bolts. Oh...and I did use a spin jack too...to hold the differential housing up.
After Katrina I bought a Mustang 5.0 coupe that had been similarly flooded. Like yours it had water in the engine, trans and diff. My car immediately needed a starter, wiring harness for the battery and starter and a clutch, flywheel and pressure plate. I changed the fluids a few times and started driving it. I ended up having to rebuild the transmission but the engine and diff were perfect for years, so hopefully you have a similar outcome. Take care and Go Gators!
RATAROSA!!! See Rich, that is how you do a colab. I see Sam is always trying to teach Rich the right way to do it.
Great show. I wish the oil filter housing gasket was that easy to change on my 2003 BMW 530I E39.
Been waiting for this one . For once you got lucky🥳 I'm sure you will make it run good luck 👍 take care
This looks like it's gonna be a win. The inside of the engine and diff looked great and not having any water get inside the car is a big win.
Great salvaging the ZR1. One of corvette’s long history of sports cars.
It's a wonder you two didn't get hurt. Good luck Sam, I'm really rooting for you on this one
GREAT WORK AGAIN SAM 👍👍LOOKING GOOD INSIDE TO SAY ITS BEEN IN WATER 👍👍CAN NOT WAIT UNTIL YOU START IT UP 👍👍ALL THE BEST 😊😊
Love that little builder bee nest on the diff at the end!
Great videos lately Sam!
Looking forward to more on this car !!
I love it whenever I see a new samcrac video.
Great work Sam.
I'm a Corvette guy, so I love these videos on the ZR1! I own a red '69 Corvette convertible.
I am sure it will perfectly run. Eager to see the next video!
That thing is gonna run and drive like new again it is super clean inside the engine!
Looks good, the oils protected the innards from any salt water corrosion quite nicely! Look forward to seeing it run with fresh fluids in all the cavities!
I love your channel. This is so much fun! Looks like you got a decent flood car man.
Looks like she'll be a runner if everything else is that clean! Looking forward to my FL trip to see if I can snatch up some of the leftovers.
Years ago I was a Boat Dealer. I had a person bring an outboard engine into my shop that had a huge hole in the lower unit. He said he ran the engine for 2 weeks in that condition. I think the water acted as gear lube. If he had brought the engine to us right away we could have saved the gears. However the guy left it sitting for several weeks after last using it and the lower gears rusted beyond repair. Therefore with so much water in the various components the lack of air probably saved them from rusting. The only caution is to run the car enough to keep oil circulating through all the bearings. Then plan to change the fluids several more times until you no longer get oil that looks a peanut butter color. Good Luck you might save this one. I am a 1993 ZR-1 owner.
This is one of the only "builds" on youtube I've been looking forward to. Many years back when I wanted to buy a corvette I did a ton of research on the C4 and C5 and discovering the ZR1s existence with a DOHC V8 was the coolest thing ever, although I still love me a pushrod V8. Can't wait to see it running and driving and for that cheap! Now all of us are going to be a little more vigilant when these come up for auction...
Crazy seeing all that water in all those places but definitely understandable considering it was near submerged in water for a considerable amount of time. I sure hope cleaned up that rear diff and gave it a nice paint job.
Genius series doing a flood zr1. I’m dying to hear this thing (hopefully) start.
Lucky roll of the dice at the auction,possibly you got a really good deal,good rescue of and old classic vette👍
Great work guys 👍 looks like it's going to be a win fingers crossed 👌
So, so pleased to see the crank upwards looking clean! I thought it would be a horror story!
Hey, congrats with the corvette score! And really nice collab, yet again with Ratarossa. Yeah imagine that getting european second hand cars part cheap and fast from UK, even pays his trip back and forth..😊
As always, enjoys the lightheaded yet thoughtfull approach to wrenching cars!
If possible, little longer and more frequent upload?
Awesome video Sam, I am shocked that there was little to no corrosion in the engine and diff. You bought a diamond at zirconia prices! Can't wait to see what you in store next for the ZR-1.
Awesome that it looks like you got a win on this one. I think it should fire right up and run fine as long as the engine electronics are good👍
Sam that's a Gem of a car👍 Saltwater is only a issue with air so filling up the engine with diesel is the best way to protect against corrosion 👍
"The tedious part is working with you!" hahaha I love the collaborations!
What a Badass survivor vette. Bring it back to life and restore it. Beautiful car.
Man I love these flood cars 🚗
Dry interior and the engine looks great! I'd call this one a winner!
I love your vids man. Keep making them
I wish you the best with it, Good luck
Enjoyed video. Good job.
Hopefully you will have good news about getting it all drained out on time and if so you got a sick car and a steal of a deal best of luck brother
Wow -- that was truly unexpected. After the first video I just knew this car was toast. I can't believe this thing might actually *run* again! Wow!! What a survivor!
Sam I'm sorry to say I haven't watched one of your vidoes for awhile, your are looking good Sam, have your been working out? Running? Looking very healthy keep it up, looking forward to the progress on this project. Best wishes for you and yours. Jeff
It's looking really good inside, as long as the electronics did not get affected it should start right, all that oil on the diff is probably the oil being blown back from the leaking engine oil pan.
Oh boy!!!
Nice, I am surprise how good everything looks.
I do hope you can save this zr1. It's a modern classic and fun fact, even though the heads and internals were lt5 specific, the block literally is your standard 4 bolt main 350 engine block. The oil pan design and gasket are different but the basic design of the block is exactly like the l98 and later lt1 v8s. Lotus helped co design that motor and mercury marine put it together. It's a great motor and extremely underrated too. Lpe back in the day had a small group of upgrades that could easily bump it to nearly 500 crank hp with no changes to the cams. Lots of untapped potential.
LT5,built with pride in Oklahoma!
The engine block has not one bit of resemblance to the usual Chevy small block, block. The only thing that is the same is the bore spacing. I have a ZR1, had it for 15 years, do all my own work on it.
I would check out Mercury Marine for some of those gasket parts, as I understand it they were part of the original engine production so some of their V8 gaskets may be cross-compatible. A marinized version of the engine was rigged into a 24-foot Baja powerboat painted to match the car, towed on a trailer with Corvette wheels and nicknamed the “Wette Vette.”, so it is possible.
Hell yeah I've been waiting for the next video on this car
Man I need to fly the Ratirosa to LA,to work on my 360..He is the man.. love his channel… and yours ,of course
Finally… a NEW FULL video 🎉
so lucky
hope all works well in end
feels like it will
Do enjoy your videos Sam, best on TH-cam and easiest to relate too.
WOOOO SAM POSTED
Best thing about this video, he's using the lift! Finally!
Don't leave us hanging Sam ! Keep working on the Z.
So glad there’s still hope. I always look forward to seeing another “Samcrac” success stories! Say “hi” to Step-Mom for me!
Ya i can't believe it's so clean there
But see for bearing because bearing first thing have little moving part having more friction and because of sea water it will be rough
Really surprising how clean the crankshaft and diff were. My results after Hurricane Katrina, when tearing down one of my classic cars was not so fortunate. Sand had also made its way into my engine and muncie 4 speed trans besides all the salt water.
This is much more interesting than watching Rich pour rice around his Tesla to dry it out. I like the suspense of seeing if the salt water corroded any of the drive-train components and it appears you got very lucky, so far. I can't wait to see the next episode.
Audi not Tesla
Gell in love with the c4 as a kid, when Face drove one in the a-team 😎
I've taken a lot of those differentials apart. That one is fine. The good news on that ZR1 is that so much is aluminum that the salt water probably did much less damage than it would on most cars. I would have changed the axle seals on the diff before putting it back in - salt on those seals ruins them (I live in New England - road salt kills them here). It would probably have been another 30 minutes of work while the unit was out. Those cars have a very strong 6 speed transmission, I would not expect it to have any issues mechanically after it gets new fluid. The engine internally were surprisingly good. The diesel fuel trick seemed to work.
Water over the rear diff will have had it above a bunch of sensors. That is probably going to be the biggest problem.
Ok Sam hurry up I wanna hear it running!! 🚨
I like the color for this ZR1 Vette. 😎
You should name this Corvette "Cool Ranch" cause it's salty and comes in blue packaging. Also this thing seems like an absolute winner