Head swap....how hard?
Head swap....how hard? Im getting ready to do a set of heads on my 00' SS and was curious as to how hard it would be to do by just me and a buddy.
Mainly do you have to adjust each pushrod when tightening down the rockers like the old SBC's? How is it set up on the LS motors?
Any help is appreciated.
Mainly do you have to adjust each pushrod when tightening down the rockers like the old SBC's? How is it set up on the LS motors?
Any help is appreciated.
never done a head swap but from my experience it shouldn't be too hard. Just have to clean everything off the top of the engine which can take time. The beauty of the hydraulic lifters is you don't have to adjust backlash on the valves. The lifters automatically set it for you so you just need to torque the rockers down. If you are swapping lifters though be sure to soak them in oil overnight so they fill up with oil. Be sure to clean out the holes for the head bolts also, if you leave any liquids in them it will crack the block from expansion and contraction. always a good idea to chase the threads also to clean them up to get a correct torque reading.
camaroguy26, thanks for the reply. I noticed you did a cam swap, did you do it yourself? So when you say just torque down the rockers do you mean each rocker or do the LS motors have shaft mounted rockers?
I'm new to the LS motors, but not to motors in general so I have no problem doing the work myself, just want to know what to expect.
I'm new to the LS motors, but not to motors in general so I have no problem doing the work myself, just want to know what to expect.
Originally Posted by camaroguy26
never done a head swap but from my experience it shouldn't be too hard.
i guess your a good reader though b/c you covered the basics of what to look for
Originally Posted by Platinum WS6
im sorry but I had to requote this......just wondering where your experience was if you never did it....lol
i guess your a good reader though b/c you covered the basics of what to look for
i guess your a good reader though b/c you covered the basics of what to look for
nrmustang
i've done about six swap both heads and cam
each rocker need to be torqued down
on a scale of 1-10 i would give a head swap a 7 not too difficult just gotta clean the old gaskets off the block. and remember to put the ground on the back of the heads back on.
this should be very helpful for you
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=3
now go forth get your wrench on
haha yeah I've been reading up on just about everything for these engines. Most of the info was from experience however from my cam swap. I also swapped springs and pushrods, oil pump, timing chain. also have done headers and intake manifold. Just never actually took the heads off.
to answer your question nrmustang the LS rockers are bolted down individually.
guys not trying to act like I know everything cuz I don't. but no one did reply when I saw his post so I figured I would give him some info that I did know. I knew someone else would help out. thanks
to answer your question nrmustang the LS rockers are bolted down individually.
guys not trying to act like I know everything cuz I don't. but no one did reply when I saw his post so I figured I would give him some info that I did know. I knew someone else would help out. thanks
Originally Posted by camaroguy26
haha yeah I've been reading up on just about everything for these engines. Most of the info was from experience however from my cam swap. I also swapped springs and pushrods, oil pump, timing chain. also have done headers and intake manifold. Just never actually took the heads off.
to answer your question nrmustang the LS rockers are bolted down individually.
guys not trying to act like I know everything cuz I don't. but no one did reply when I saw his post so I figured I would give him some info that I did know. I knew someone else would help out. thanks
to answer your question nrmustang the LS rockers are bolted down individually.
guys not trying to act like I know everything cuz I don't. but no one did reply when I saw his post so I figured I would give him some info that I did know. I knew someone else would help out. thanks
platinum WS6 just posted something that was worded funny man thats it no harm intended
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Whatever you do make sure you clean out the head bolt threads of coolant, etc. You can have a real nightmare if you torque head bolts with **** in the holes. Aluminum block can crack. Check out www.ls1howto.com/ Pretty informative site.
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Head Bolt Holes Here's a tip for you.
Grind a slot in an old head bolt. Use it to clean the threads out for each hole. I put a small amount of grease on the ground slot and it will pick up alot of the junk. Next I take a shop-vac and duct tape a drinking straw to the end. This will "SUCK" all the junk out at the bottom, including antifreeze.
Remember, if there is stuff left at the bottom, you can crack you block.
Bob K.
Grind a slot in an old head bolt. Use it to clean the threads out for each hole. I put a small amount of grease on the ground slot and it will pick up alot of the junk. Next I take a shop-vac and duct tape a drinking straw to the end. This will "SUCK" all the junk out at the bottom, including antifreeze.
Remember, if there is stuff left at the bottom, you can crack you block.
Bob K.
It's not bad at all man. It looks like a monster, but once you get in there it really isn't bad if your mechanically inclined.
Take your time & I highly suggest if your doin a cam too that you just start tearin it down from the top & take the cam out last. On reinstall go in with the cam first so you don't have to worry about droppin lifters & everything else is cake from there on.
Also use the ls1howto walk thru for guidence & torque specs.
Take your time & I highly suggest if your doin a cam too that you just start tearin it down from the top & take the cam out last. On reinstall go in with the cam first so you don't have to worry about droppin lifters & everything else is cake from there on.
Also use the ls1howto walk thru for guidence & torque specs.
Its not really that hard if you can read the instructions on ls1howto.com. However, a few extra tips I would hand out if you are doing a cam swap at the same time is taking the balancer off, switch the 3 arm puller around so it is as short as possible. I broke two leaving it the way its pictured. Do not get a double roller timing chain if you do not want to modify anything. I'm still not finished with mine, I'm still waiting on parts but thats about it so far. Oh yea, when you are putting the balancer back on, throw it in the oven to 350 for about 20 minutes and beat that bitch on until you can get the bolt started.
