I need help regarding a 67 429 L68

[Steven L.]

I recently had my 67 L68 convertible in for service for oil leaks. I had the oil pump replaced with a correct pressure/volume pump since the oil pan gasket was leaking and needed to be pulled. Also had to have the intake manifold gasket replaced due to leaking. After the repair, I picked up the car and went about 10 miles when I heard some noise. A minute later, the steering got funky. I pulled off the freeway and saw the fan pulley was completely moving around. Also, a piece of shrapnel (assuming it was from the pulley) actually shot up and lodged in the hood, creating a hole in the fiberglass.

I had the car towed back to the repair facility. The owner said that they never touched the pulley and had never seen anything like this. My question is, is this just a huge coincidence, or did the fan assembly have to be removed for the intake manifold to be replaced. To my knowledge, this is a very reputable shop that has worked only on Corvettes for many years, but i'm a bit sceptical that this is simply a just a case of bad luck.

Any input from those of you familiar with the mechanicals would be greatly appreciated.

Steve Levin

[Darryl D.]

Re: I need help regarding a 67 429 L68

Should not have to remove any pulleys to R&R an intake or oil pan.

[Steven L.]

Re: I need help regarding a 67 429 L68

Thanks Darryl. Just seems very weird for this to happen 10 minutes after picking up the vehicle from repairs.

[Joe L.]

Re: I need help regarding a 67 429 L68

Thanks Darryl. Just seems very weird for this to happen 10 minutes after picking up the vehicle from repairs.

Steve------


I agree that it should not have been necessary to remove any of the pulley system to replace the intake manifold gaskets or the oil pan gaskets. However, I also agree that it seems like way too much of a co-incidence to have this problem occur 10 minutes after driving the car from the shop and for it not to be somehow related to the work done. I am always HIGHLY SKEPTICAL of co-incidences like this.

Also, without seeing the parts involved it's hard for me to speculate on what did cause the problem. However, I can tell you that it's exceedingly rare for a pulley to fail in the manner that you describe.

[Steven L.]

Re: I need help regarding a 67 429 L68

Thanks Joe. As I mentioned, my mechanic who has worked only on Corvettes for several decades has never seen anything like this happen either. In any case, the car is off to the body shop next week for repair. I'm hoping to pick up the car tomorrow but haven't spoken with the shop since I was out of town all of last week.

[Richard G.]

Re: I need help regarding a 67 429 L68

Steve
Their would have likely been other indicators like smudges on the blades or fresh marks on the bolts.
Typically the bad players have a long history of issues not a one off here or there.
They have a sterling reputation, sometimes you just have to relay on that.
Which is almost sounds like it is the decision you made already.
Rick

[Steven L.]

Re: I need help regarding a 67 429 L68

Thank you Rick.

[Guest]

Re: I need help regarding a 67 429 L68

I recently had my 67 L68 convertible in for service for oil leaks. I had the oil pump replaced with a correct pressure/volume pump since the oil pan gasket was leaking and needed to be pulled. Also had to have the intake manifold gasket replaced due to leaking. After the repair, I picked up the car and went about 10 miles when I heard some noise. A minute later, the steering got funky. I pulled off the freeway and saw the fan pulley was completely moving around. Also, a piece of shrapnel (assuming it was from the pulley) actually shot up and lodged in the hood, creating a hole in the fiberglass.

I had the car towed back to the repair facility. The owner said that they never touched the pulley and had never seen anything like this. My question is, is this just a huge coincidence, or did the fan assembly have to be removed for the intake manifold to be replaced. To my knowledge, this is a very reputable shop that has worked only on Corvettes for many years, but i'm a bit sceptical that this is simply a just a case of bad luck.

Any input from those of you familiar with the mechanicals would be greatly appreciated.

Steve Levin

It could be when they raise the engine to remove the oil pan the fan blade gam in the fan shroud and damage the fan blade and stroud.

[Duke W.]

Re: I need help regarding a 67 429 L68

There are two things I can think of that can cause the fan pulley to wobble...either the pulley to water pump drive flange bolts are loose or the water pump bearing is severely worn. What's needed is a "forensic teardown", but maybe it's too late and any evidence is gone.

Did you hear any unusual noises?

Photos might help.

Duke

[Brad Hillhouse (37766)]

Re: I need help regarding a 67 429 L68

The description does not determine if it was a failed water pump pulley, or a failed waterpump bearing. Either one could lead to your description of "the fan pulley completely moving around".

As Duke suggested, more investigation is needed and photos may help us give you a better idea as to what caused the catastrophic failure.


Brad Hillhouse

[Patrick B.]

Re: I need help regarding a 67 429 L68

It could be when they raise the engine to remove the oil pan the fan blade gam in the fan shroud and damage the fan blade and stroud.

[Guest]

Re: I need help regarding a 67 429 L68

That correct Pat just something weird about the pulley and fan letting go like that