LS3 head gaskets and ring gaps for boost
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,729
Likes: 814
From: Portland, OR
LS3 head gaskets and ring gaps for boost I have a new engine here at the shop that a customer bought for his 2010 Camaro SS.
complete and ready to drop in.
It' an LS3 stroked to 416".
Well, not quite.
When changing the pan pan I noted it had a 24X crank wheel in it. Removed crank. Noted no barbell.....and no front galley plug either. Along with a timing chain setup with no provisions for the cam sensor.
Decided I better check ring gaps. First piston measured was .019" top ring.
Also noted 5 layer GM head gaskets copper sprayed.
So in thinking .025 top and maybe .028 second for the gaps?
Also do LS9 gaskets work well with the LS3? I certainly can't reuse what came off it.
Thanks
Ron
complete and ready to drop in.
It' an LS3 stroked to 416".
Well, not quite.
When changing the pan pan I noted it had a 24X crank wheel in it. Removed crank. Noted no barbell.....and no front galley plug either. Along with a timing chain setup with no provisions for the cam sensor.
Decided I better check ring gaps. First piston measured was .019" top ring.
Also noted 5 layer GM head gaskets copper sprayed.
So in thinking .025 top and maybe .028 second for the gaps?
Also do LS9 gaskets work well with the LS3? I certainly can't reuse what came off it.
Thanks
Ron
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,729
Likes: 814
From: Portland, OR
No clue whose rings. Might be Mahle Pistons. No name on the rods. Eagle crank.
Cyl 1,3 were .019 both rings. Obviously done with a file. Cyl 5 and 7 were more like .028/.030. Funny ****. Do they make a tool to make the gap smaller? 😊
Havent done the others yet. I'll also measure the piston to bore clearance.
thanks for the gasket info. I'll get a pair coming.
Cyl 1,3 were .019 both rings. Obviously done with a file. Cyl 5 and 7 were more like .028/.030. Funny ****. Do they make a tool to make the gap smaller? 😊
Havent done the others yet. I'll also measure the piston to bore clearance.
thanks for the gasket info. I'll get a pair coming.
Id be pissed if it was me. Id be calling who i got the motor from and asking some questions.
Ron, good job investigating further. How much did the customer pay for this ready to run engine if you dont mind me asking?
Ron, good job investigating further. How much did the customer pay for this ready to run engine if you dont mind me asking?
As a consumer that would be enough red flags for me to have you tear the whole thing down and check it out.
Its nice to know there are guys out there who are attentive enough to catch potentially disastrous little issues like that as opposed to just tossing it together and finding out after its too late.
Hats off to you my friend.
Its nice to know there are guys out there who are attentive enough to catch potentially disastrous little issues like that as opposed to just tossing it together and finding out after its too late.
Hats off to you my friend.
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Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,729
Likes: 814
From: Portland, OR
Hey thanks guys. I do my best to treat customers cars like it was mine.
I'm bummed for my customer, he is a really nice guy.
I really don't know the details on the purchase, but I imagine he is in contact with the seller.
I took it completely apart. Found another issue, one oil ring was stuck because the oil ring support rail was installed upside down.
Kind of picturing this in my Nova.......nah! prob scare me!
Ron
I'm bummed for my customer, he is a really nice guy.
I really don't know the details on the purchase, but I imagine he is in contact with the seller.
I took it completely apart. Found another issue, one oil ring was stuck because the oil ring support rail was installed upside down.
Kind of picturing this in my Nova.......nah! prob scare me!
Ron
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Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,729
Likes: 814
From: Portland, OR