Long time without any progress here. My original plan for a teammate fell through due to family emergency.
I lined up one of my autocross friends for the team. He came over today, and we made some progress. We primed the engine, got the starter installed, cleaned up some wiring and connections, then tried to turn it over to start replacing valve seals.
No go. Engine won't turn over with the starter or with a pry bar on the flex plate. The plan is to get some PB Blaster in all of the cylinders and see if it can be rotated after it sits for a while.
On a happier note, Frenchie's making progress with the Jag. That's good.
Marvel mystery oil in each cylinder till it comes out the spark plug hole and let it sit a few days or longer. Then see if you can move it just slightly with a breaker bar on the crank bolt without spark plugs in it. If it moves let it sit some more then next time rock it gently.
In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :
What's your plan if you get it unstuck? Run it or break it down to check everything? Honestly I think the car would be great with a temp junkyard engine this year. Spray it in the drags and get the missing power.
Too soon to decide on which way to go.
If it gets freed up without too much resistance, and has good compression across all eight, I'll see how it performs and possibly not investigate further.
However, I'm strongly considering pulling the heads to inspect the cylinders and check the heads for cracks. The vortec heads are known for cracking and the video of the autocross run from 2013 shows it pulling up in a cloud of steam.
If it's been sitting for five years with a cracked head there may be a cylinder that's gotten coolant in it. Rings could be seized, or it could be hydrolocked.
I certainly would consider running a junkyard engine. Budget factor is going to be tight. Could be another vortec 350, or a 4.8 LS (cheapest option for an LS).
Also, rumor has it that there's a father and son in PA getting amazing performance out of Trailblazer straight sixes. 
In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :
If you want to go junkyarding let me know.
Stampie said:
In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :
If you want to go junkyarding let me know.
I like that idea. A lot. And not just because I might have a wounded engine.
The more I think about it, pulling the heads will tell me more than anything else, and it's not that hard on a carbed pushrod V8. Also, if the heads check out I can buy the tool to clearance them for the high lift cam that's in it.
Whatever I decide, I probably won't be able to do anything until the end of the month. Family time.
One other point to add: I am not regretting buying the car, and I have no doubt that Tripp sold it to me in good faith. These things happen.
Started pulling spark plugs, very difficult with the headers and narrow clearance. I've got six out so far. Numbers two and four appear rusted.
Number two:
Four wasn't as bad. The plugs from the left bank appear normal. Number seven wasn't even finger tight.
I unbolted the header on the right bank so I could get at number eight. Two more to go.
I couldn't get plugs five and seven out before I ran out of time. The other six cylinders are soaking in Marvel Mystery Oil.
I saved a catheter and syringe from the last constipated cat I treated. Figured it would come in handy.
TMI?
In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :
Someone posted this last week in our local wildlife rehab group we volunteer for.
I replied "Nah, you're a rehabber if you just wash it off a couple times first." 
In reply to Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter) :
What did the veterinarian say when he wanted to write in the medical record and pulled a thermometer out of his pocket?
"Some shiny happy person's got my pen!"
Huh. I am well accustomed to the automatic edit, kind of dulls the joke, though.
I've got a backup plan for an engine. My friend that originally suggested we enter the Challenge still has the 1970 LT-1 350 that we were going to put in an S10.
Steel crank, forged rods and pistons, big flat tappet cam (has been switched to a hydraulic cam), 2.02 "fuelly" heads. Won't make the power that the vortec, roller cam engine would make, but should be good for 350HP.
In for updates! Plus marvel mystery oil smells amazing
If you find yourself in the need of another set of hands, send me a message. I'm up in Flagler Beach, and it's looking like I'm not going to be able to get a car together this year.
Derick Freese said:
If you find yourself in the need of another set of hands, send me a message. I'm up in Flagler Beach, and it's looking like I'm not going to be able to get a car together this year.
Thanks, that's great! I won't be doing anything until the end of the month.
We've had some setbacks, but it's still possible to get it done.
Either way, I'm going to be going, either as a competitor or a volunteer. The room is already reserved.
Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) said:
Derick Freese said:
If you find yourself in the need of another set of hands, send me a message. I'm up in Flagler Beach, and it's looking like I'm not going to be able to get a car together this year.
Thanks, that's great! I won't be doing anything until the end of the month.
We've had some setbacks, but it's still possible to get it done.
Either way, I'm going to be going, either as a competitor or a volunteer. The room is already reserved.
I'm used to doing the parking lot build, so don't count it out, even if it needs a whole drivetrain.
Update: I bought some short spark plug sockets and got the last two plugs out. I filled those two cylinders with the Marvel Mystery oil and after a few hours I figured since six of the cylinders had been soaking for two weeks, I'd give it a try. Locked solid.
I'm working Sunday. If I can't get it to turn over on Monday, I'll pull the heads.
In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :
Maybe some ATF also?
Want me to keep looking for a good sbc up here?
Dusterbd13-michael said:
Want me to keep looking for a good sbc up here?
Can't hurt. Ideally, a vortec 350. Then I can use the roller cam and intake.
Stampie said:
In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :
Maybe some ATF also?
That's a good idea. I'll put some in tonight if I can, or tomorrow after work.
In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :
You know I have a $500 454 that you could maybe Stampie rule. Although we could junkyard a Vortec 350 or 454 cheaper.
In reply to Stampie :
Thanks, that all sounds good.
I'm working tomorrow, then unless it turns over, the heads are going to be coming off Monday or Tuesday if I have enough clearance for bolt access.
I loosened the rockers and took the belts off (power steering pump is locked up) to see if it made any difference.
With a tool that's made for turning a ring gear, and a whole lot of extra leverage from a two inch wrench, I got nothing. This thing is locked solid.
