robertbartsch

Do you have to cut the engine block on an LS1 to install a LS6 valley cover?

I bought this LS6 valley cover today and was thinking of cutting the oil/air separator under the new valley cover so I could avoid cutting the aluminum engine block.

I think I will take the cover a part tonight to see how the separator is constructed; it is bolted to the bottom of the valley cover but does not fit in LS1 blocks.

Any toughts?

Murdock

iTrader: (2)

I chiseled the block. Once you align it to the engine, you'll see that you don't have to remove too much material. I can mail you a pic showing where and how, let me know if you want it.

robertbartsch

Murdock:
Yes; I would be interested in the picture. I assume it is similar to the illustrations that are on the JMX web page; is this correct?

Thanks

robertbartsch@kpmg.com

Murdock

iTrader: (2)

I sent the mail. Jmx's pictures are closer with more detail, plus my engine was out of the car. Looks like he used a grinder. I chiseled instead, I didn't want grinder shavings in the motor and felt the larger chips from the chisel were easier to spot and remove.

robertbartsch

Oh, thx.

Did you use a metal chesle? ...your brave ...did the chips just flake off cleanly?

If you had to do it over again, would you use a chisel or grinder?
Thanks

DaleMX

iTrader: (4)

I ground thru mine with a dremel and a cutoff wheel.
It threw metal powder everywhere, so cover the block up real good and vacuum it out when your done. The dremel was handy to clean up all the rough edges left by the inital cut.

INMY01TA

iTrader: (1)

I used sawzall on the block. Waste of time and money. It doesn't keep the oil out of the intake! Now using catch can and LS6 valley cover.

jmX

The LS6 valley cover definitly isnt a cure all, but it does seem to lower the amount of oil sucked in for me. A combo catchcan/ls6 setup may be the way to go.

Murdock

iTrader: (2)

Robert,

I'd chisel again. I think it was cleaner than grinding. I used a regular cold chisel. The aluminum is soft enough that it shaves nicely.

On the other hand, when I did the install, there were no pictures available so I'd chisel some then fit, chisel and fit. Now with jmx's excellent pictures, you can tell EXACTLY how much material to remove so grinding might be a better choice.

robertbartsch

I installed my LS6 valley cover without cutting the block.

See my other post - i cut the plastic oil/air separator with a hack saw and patched in a piece of 1/4 inch tubing...it works great...no metal savings in the engine too!