[Kerry]

2019 2 ss early 2019 build date.
Ok we were on a vaca in Florida about 600 miles from home. Hit it and lots of blue smoke. procharged lt2 intake about 11 pds boost, alkey control full meth.

Pulled over and oil all over the front of the motor clearly coming out the front seal.

uhaul was not working out so petted it home with 75 max speed on interstate stopping about every hour after a couple 10 min stops to keep a ck on things. as long as I did not hit it it leaked very little oil. did not have to add any oil on the way home.

Diag. did blow down test all cylinders 5% except 2. It was 22%. I also could feel hear air coming from the center hose location of the stock oil air separator.
That for sure means its not coming from a leaking intake valve or exhaust. That would not come from the separator (catch can) if you will. It means its going past the rings piston going into the crankcase.

So with a 22% leak on 2 their was a problem so 22% means it was holding 78% for clarity.

So I began the tare down and go ahead and do forged anyway. Found number 2 with a very very slight crack almost did not see it and was trying to figure how it was at 22% I even began thinking maybe it was bad rings but they looked fine no signs of deto plug looked perfect. Looking very close in good light I saw what I though was a crack going from the top ring land to the second. called the wife better eyes to look at it. she caught her finger nail on it a couple times and it popped out when she hung it. It was still slightly attached.

Next why? 7 pistons still great but one bad. everyone says ring butt, i checked the ring gap very thoroughly. Using dial caliper to make sure ring is even from the top showed 14 thou. I do not believe this is a ring butt problem. Even thats on the tight side. Also if a ring butts hard enough to break a piston then I would think their would be some bore scar. bore is perfect no problems.
I put a ring in a motor one time that was for a 10 over bore filed it down to have correct end gap and it still scared the cylinder where the ends met. was a 2 stroke motor.

So not a ring gap problem. no signs of deto or pre ing. plug looks perfect, rod Bering perfect, That only leaves me to one conclusion. defective pistons or they just can't handle the power level. it was 660 wheel. But some pistons can. Its just a luck of the draw. Some pistons are good and some are not as good. That's my thinking. Coupe I had before this with 9 pds had about 20000 miles no problem.

The 1.8 liter motors I used to build made 35 pds boost turned 9800 with an 11 thou gap.. running 220 water temp.

I have attached pics
so because it blew out the front weak seal, it let me know their was a problem before any real bad damage occurred. I will be able to do pistons and rods and be good to go. lucky really.

I will say this if you blow a front seal better do a blow down ck minim.

Doing rods and pistons in the car ? I would not do it any other way. I did not touch the cradle steering ect. just dropped the aluminum brace that unbolts lifted the motor to bell housing touching the car and the pan came right out I have a quick jack and an engine hoist. its not bad at all. I have pulled a motor and this is way way easier. Now if you are doing a cam at the same time I dont know about that. I will be upgrading the oil pump while I'm their. I might do a pound or 2 more boost, then the p1sc will be maxed. 660 is a fun car on the street and thats where it will be. Looking to do drop in rods and pistons.

DOES ANYONE HAVE A SET OF DROP IN PISTONS AND RODS. SEEMS EVERYONE IS WAITEING ON RODS. PM me please.

Not sure i want to upgrade the front seal. The ls3 is better stronger but the stock one acted like a fuse if you will letting me know their was a problem.
Hope this helps others.