I did the injector test - all injectors were dry when the key turned on - no apparent leakage.

- Rich

Still does not confirm the injector is operating the way it should, but good that it's not leaking. Key off, jump the relay terminals. Pull the starting relay and touch a jumper wire across the two terminals (diagram on relay itself). It will only crank as long as you jump it with that wire and with the key off it will not start.

Since this thread is public, I might as well say it. The OP did a compression test and found 0 PSI on cylinder #6. 11 years in the business and this has never happened to one of my builds.

Since no "clang-bang" noises were heard, I assume the only way this is possible is if two roller finger followers fell out of position. Either a bad bearing inside the RFF or hydraulic lash adjuster failed to pump up and take up slack. I have seen RFF's dislocated twice on a Northstar. This is the first time on one of my builds, if I am right about the cause.

Due to a foot injury I can't take care of this immediately but I will ASAP so that Rich can enjoy his car again.

All I can say is stuff happens... It's mechanical - anything can happen and can go wrong. I am an IT consultant - believe me I have seen it all with computers. Jake, if there is anything I can do ahead of time to prepare let me know. Or if there is anything I can do to somehow confirm your suspicions. Either way, yes looking forward to getting it running again.

Rich

I'm glad it was found and hopefully no further damage is a result. No one here is going to hold it against you Jake. For what you have done for N*'s, stuff happens that is out of your control.

_________________


Retired Bonneville Owner and former GM Tech:
2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP: Black/Ebony *SOLD*

Summer Toys: Combined 827 RWHP / 877lb/ft RWTQ
2004 Pontiac GTO: Impulse Blue Metallic/Black/M6: lots 'o mods, 415 RWHP / 405lb/ft RWTQ!
2006 Cadillac STS-V: Light Platinum Metallic/Light Gray/A6 - Spectre CAI, Magnaflow exhaust, Speed Inc. tune, 412 RWHP / 472lb/ft RWTQ

Daily Drivers:
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Limited: Mommy's new RGC
2015 Chrysler Town & Country Limited Platinum: Kids new RGC
2007 Chrysler Town & Country Limited: Sold to neighbor
2009 Pontiac G8 GT: L76, Sport Red Metallic
2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500: Doeskin Tan - 8.1L Big Block... new plow truck
1999 Chevrolet Suburban: Sunset Gold Metallic - Daddy's winter beater and plow truck

Thanks CMNTMXR57. I appreciate the kind words. I took the front cam cover off to find a couple of roller finger followers out of position, just as I had figured. Almost anything else that would cause compression loss to 0 PSI, would have most certainly made some serious noise. These were brand new GM heads with all new valvetrain parts as from the GM plant. This is the third time I've seen this in my history of repairing these, but first time on one of my builds. It's repaired again and ready for Rich to enjoy and hopefully for many, many, many miles to come.

I sincerely apologize to the OP. The only way I can explain this is as Rich had said, with mechanical stuff things will happen. I don't want it to happen to my customers, for sure. I verified compression was restored before reassembly. I'll take it for a test drive yet since Rich gave me permission to do so. I don't want him having any further issue with the car.

OK.. finally got the car back on the road and it's running awesome! Hopefully no more issues. I am fighting with an electrical drain issue (posted in another thread) but that one is somewhat minor although it killed my brand new battery. Thankfully it's under warranty so they replaced it no questions asked. Car just needs to be driven - I guess that's the solution for the drain - don't let it sit. It's fun to drive anyway!

Thanks Jake for your hard work - took a while but in the end I think I'm money ahead doing this rather than putting the same dollars into a different vehicle.

Rich