V12 LS1 Build
I'm glad it's back as well. Don't see in-depth custom stuff like this very often.
Curious though, are you not worried about heat issues with the center cyls? One of them has no coolant ports at all. I would think that would cause some cooling problems, especially with boost.
Curious though, are you not worried about heat issues with the center cyls? One of them has no coolant ports at all. I would think that would cause some cooling problems, especially with boost.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, Washington
I'm glad it's back as well. Don't see in-depth custom stuff like this very often.
Curious though, are you not worried about heat issues with the center cyls? One of them has no coolant ports at all. I would think that would cause some cooling problems, especially with boost.
Curious though, are you not worried about heat issues with the center cyls? One of them has no coolant ports at all. I would think that would cause some cooling problems, especially with boost.
Please don't take any of this negatively, yours is actually one on the most interesting LS related projects I've ever seen. I'm just trying to better understand how it's going to work.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, Washington
I guess I'm still a little confused. What about the head? If I'm understanding you right, the cylinder that appears to have no cooling ports actually has the ports under the solid surface, is that right? If so, how is the coolant circulated in those ports? And how is the head cooled for that cylinder?
Please don't take any of this negatively, yours is actually one on the most interesting LS related projects I've ever seen. I'm just trying to better understand how it's going to work.
Please don't take any of this negatively, yours is actually one on the most interesting LS related projects I've ever seen. I'm just trying to better understand how it's going to work.
If you look at the stock headgasket, it'll be a little easier to see. The amount of water that actually flows through the deck is very minuscule. The water's main path is down the block, up through the head, and back the other way. There are small holes in the headgasket that allow for steam to escape. We considered replicating the original shape in, but it would essentially be cosmetic at that point and we'd much rather keep that area where the weld is as strong as possible. We're planning on drilling holes to match the headgaskets, but other than that, it seems really unnecessary to us. Thank you for the question!
Due to the custom nature of the job, we're not exactly sure. Ideally we'd have it running next weekend, but there's more to do. Fab work to the intake manifold, and then its onto the Fuel/Spark systems. I'll be much better at updating the progress as we go, however!
This build is mind blowing. Building and welding is just one task. Making it all work is a big milestone.
Mentioning head gaskets. What did you do for the head gaskets? Does someone make custom gaskets?
Mentioning head gaskets. What did you do for the head gaskets? Does someone make custom gaskets?
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Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, Washington
We ended up splicing two together. We don't think it will be an issue, but if it is we'll have to do some more searching and find somebody to custom make some. I can post a picture of them on the head if that's something that interests people!
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, Washington
The intake manifold is almost complete. We added extra bolts that ties the manifold to the block and to the heads. The bolts you see aren't the ones we're planning to use, we will counter sink them into the plate. We obviously still have to cut the hole for the blower.
The headgaskets were cut in the middle, as shown in the pictures. They are exactly what we were looking for, size wise, after the cut. We kept all the fur on the edges, which should help mesh them together when torqued up. When cutting, we used a table saw and put the stainless ring on the top so no tears occurred.
We're considering looking for a good crankshaft builder. If that interests you, feel free to message me and we can talk. The crankshaft balances like a regular v8, so nothing to be afraid of. Thanks!
Wow. Do you expect the gasket to seal up as-is once the heads are torqued down or will you use a little sealant around that splice?
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 53
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From: Seattle, Washington
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Medford, OR
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Where you least expect me
If you look at the stock headgasket, it'll be a little easier to see. The amount of water that actually flows through the deck is very minuscule. The water's main path is down the block, up through the head, and back the other way. There are small holes in the headgasket that allow for steam to escape. We considered replicating the original shape in, but it would essentially be cosmetic at that point and we'd much rather keep that area where the weld is as strong as possible. We're planning on drilling holes to match the headgaskets, but other than that, it seems really unnecessary to us. Thank you for the question!
Be ready with an IR laser thermometer to watch head temp at each cylinder while on the dyno.
I predicT that you *WILL* have to revisit coolant circulation.
On the first page it says this isn't their first v12 build, just the first that they are keeping, and one is in a plane (brave ****** who flies that, if its flown) so I'm sure it cools fine, unless they're all having cooling issues