k_cash1432

iTrader: (9)

Took my aluminum LS1 block to my machine shop this week and im building a forged 347. Stock crank, Eagle H beam rods, Mahle forged pitsons ARP studs all the way around, clevite 77 bearings all the way around as well.

When questioning my machinist (Who has ownded his shop for 26+ years) About line honing the mains he didnt feel it was nessacary. After a brief discussion about how the ARP studs have more clamping load on the mains and it distorts them ever so slightly, he understood why to hone the mains. His only concern was with the steel main caps and the aluminum block if that was going to casue some havic when he starts to hone with the aluminum being the softer material.

What can I tell my machineist to make him more comfortable honing out the mains?

RezinTexas

if he has never worked on an aluminum block before, I don't think you want to be his first.

2000PewterT/A

Definitely, I wouldn't want my block to be a learning experience for anyone lol. I would take it to someone qualified that has done ls engines before.

k_cash1432

iTrader: (9)

Nobody that I have talked to in my area that has experience with LS aluminum blocks. He has done almost a dozen SBC for me in the past but thats apples to oranges... He just doesnt like the idea of the sofer material in the block and the steel main caps. He has done aluminum blocks before he did my former shops 427 BBF in the shops 68 fastback so i know he has done aluminum. Any body who has machine shop experience have trouble with honing mains or what all do i need to tell him to do to the mains when he is honing the mains?

2000PewterT/A

Correct me if I am wrong but on all aluminum block ls engines that I know of have aluminum mains too.

LS1MCSS

iTrader: (18)

You stand corrected. None of them have aluminum main caps.

k_cash1432

iTrader: (9)

hum... I know for sure my main caps were steel, When i sat them on my tool box beside my magnet the magnet stuck to the main caps...

2000PewterT/A

Its been a while since I've tore one down and I couldn't remember lol, yes I am corrected.

Gray86hatch

iTrader: (83)

where are you located

91sonomast

I didn't think you had to line hone for ARP studs, well damn.

TedMosby

Hate to state the obvious, but put the studs in, tighten the caps down and have him check them. You may not need to line hone at all. If you do, some shops have a fixture to mount the block "right side up" so the weight of the hone is on the mains. Also, he'll have to use the right SC stones. I'm with the other guys though, unless you get some kind of guarantee, I wouldn't have someone who's hesitant or inexperienced do the work.

wildcamaro

iTrader: (15)

Don't be an experiment take it to someOne with LS experience...

Sales2@Texas-speed

iTrader: (5)

We check each block that gets an ARP main stud kit to ensure if they need line honed that it gets done, but I will tell you they do not ALL need it!

k_cash1432

iTrader: (9)

Yes this is what we ended up deciding after a long discusion today.

He is the only guy in my area that is WILLING to touch an LS motor...

Thanks for the advice. Did you get my PM a while ago about a cam?

Mullen NE 69152 we have more cows than people, google earth is sometime 69152

BigRich954RR

iTrader: (1)

What area do you live in ?

k_cash1432

iTrader: (9)

nebraska

Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

I'm with newbi Ted.

farmington

iTrader: (14)

Your machinist has a legitimate concern. In working with the new Gen 5 blocks at work, the L83 which is the 5.3 truck motor, they have cast caps and the mains are honed. The LT1 motors have a nodular main cap and we now BORE the mains because we noticed a problem honing the soft block and hard maincap. I don't know the material of the LS1 caps, but in what I have seen at work, your machinist has a legitimate concern.