Generation III External Engine LS1 | LS6 | Bolt-Ons | Intakes | Exhaust | Ignition | Accessories
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Sanding down the block

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 6, 2004 | 07:34 PM
  #1  
2002 Trans Am's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 0
From: Waldwick, NJ
Talking Sanding down the block

No I am not sanding down the block to lose weight

but I am installing a set of headers for my friend and all was going real well until we got to the passenger side MAC header. For some damn reason I can't get it out. I know some people say to remove the valve cover and it'll slide through the top, but I am really not in the mood to take the valve cover off and put on a new gasket (never done it before too)

Anyhow there is a small block about 1"x1"x.5" down in the lower corner passenger side near the firewall attached to the motor, and this damn little block is what is not allowing the Mac to slide out the bottom.

Now my question is, can I go at this small block with a file or dremel and sand the bad boy down a little till the Mac can slide out, or is this something important that I shouldn't be messing with?

Thanks!
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2004 | 01:42 PM
  #2  
Trans Am WS6 RGS's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, Ca / Tucson,AZ
Default

Send JRP a PM. I believe he sanded down his block a little bit when installing his headers.
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2004 | 01:46 PM
  #3  
xfactor_pitbulls's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,218
Likes: 0
From: Nevada, TX
Default

If removing the valve cover will help, go ahead and do it. Its more of an O-ring than a gasket,(made of rubber). Its reusable unless you for some reason break it.

Brandon
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2004 | 04:16 PM
  #4  
pimpmaro's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,586
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, OH
Default

Yeah, the valve cover is real simple to remove. If you need help on how to pull it, send me a PM.
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2004 | 05:50 PM
  #5  
DARK AGE 53's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,780
Likes: 7
From: Mi./Al.
Default

We used a Sawsall to cut the casting ear off.

Reply
Old Oct 7, 2004 | 08:07 PM
  #6  
jrp's Avatar
jrp
SN95 Director
20 Year Member
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 10,755
Likes: 7
From: Valencia, Ca
Default

Originally Posted by Trans Am WS6 RGS
Send JRP a PM. I believe he sanded down his block a little bit when installing his headers.


if you look in the exhaust guide i put a picture of my block tab i sanded down. took a few minutes with a die grinder and all was good.
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2004 | 09:13 PM
  #7  
Jeremiah's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 0
From: Mustang, Ok
Default

go ahead and remove what you need, you wont go through.

I had to do the same thing on my car.
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2004 | 12:44 AM
  #8  
2002 Trans Am's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 0
From: Waldwick, NJ
Default

angle grinder + anger = no more block and mac header on the floor.....All went well, thanks guys

Just gotta start the car now (too late tonight, neighbors would of been pissed)
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 8, 2004 | 01:08 AM
  #9  
jrp's Avatar
jrp
SN95 Director
20 Year Member
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 10,755
Likes: 7
From: Valencia, Ca
Default

Originally Posted by 2002 Trans Am
angle grinder + anger = no more block


TRUST ME, i know how that goes...i was about to go postal on my car.
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2004 | 01:21 AM
  #10  
2002 Trans Am's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 0
From: Waldwick, NJ
Default

Originally Posted by jrp


TRUST ME, i know how that goes...i was about to go postal on my car.
Its really weird, if you don't go postal on your car; cursing at it, demoralizing it, it just won't give in to you.

I know I called this 1 bolt a stupid little ***** for about half and hour till she finally gave in

I love working on cars
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2004 | 01:39 AM
  #11  
jrp's Avatar
jrp
SN95 Director
20 Year Member
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 10,755
Likes: 7
From: Valencia, Ca
Default

Originally Posted by 2002 Trans Am
Its really weird, if you don't go postal on your car; cursing at it, demoralizing it, it just won't give in to you.

I know I called this 1 bolt a stupid little ***** for about half and hour till she finally gave in

I love working on cars
if you ever do a oil pump swap, the oil pick up tube bolt awaits your punishmnt
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:32 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE