very quickly 
BEWARE during Cam Swap....
I think that's true on a flat tappet cam but the LS1 has roller lifters. New valve springs should be heat cycled for break in though.
How about doing searches on this site on cam installs(there are probably thousands by now since the site have been around nearly 10 years) or asking questions BEFORE you create a problem and short of that have an assistant who has GenIII experience around for guidance? I thought all of the possible mistakes had already been made then I read this new one. How in the world you can set the front cover down on top of the lip of the pan(totally missing the gasket) and not realize something is wrong is beyond me. On top of that you have to put the bolts in and crank them all down(folding the gasket over at 90 degrees in the process forcing the gasket into a place where the front cover is supposed to reside) without realizing there is a gap between the back face of the cover and the front of the block where you just folded the gasket over backwards. Don't you even do a cursory inspection of your work as you go along? Apparently NOT! These are the kind of steps that LS1HowTo doesn't even bother to mention because it is assumed if you are at that level certain things are taken for granted. A couple of things that LS1HowTo does NOT mention, but will help inexperienced guys is to put your cam and crank at DOT to DOT BEFORE you start pulling the cam wheel and chain off. You should also manually turn the crank once in a while during this whole process remember to put it back to the DOT to DOT position after turning it. These are the kind of things that aren't mentioned in the tutorial, but they shouldn't have to be. Your already supposed to know most of this stuff if you are going to attempt this job.
Last edited by eallanboggs; Mar 6, 2009 at 09:24 AM.
How about doing searches on this site on cam installs(there are probably thousands by now since the site have been around nearly 10 years) or asking questions BEFORE you create a problem and short of that have an assistant who has GenIII experience around for guidance? I thought all of the possible mistakes had already been made then I read this new one. How in the world you can set the front cover down on top of the lip of the pan(totally missing the gasket) and not realize something is wrong is beyond me. On top of that you have to put the bolts in and crank them all down(folding the gasket over at 90 degrees in the process forcing into a place where the front cover is supposed to reside) without realizing there is a gap between the back face of the cover and the front of the block where you just folded the gasket over backwards. Don't you even do a cursory inspection of your work as you go along? Apparently NOT! These are the kind of steps that LS1HowTo doesn't even bother to mention because it is assumed if you are at that level certain things are taken for granted.
By the way, I started this thread as a reminder to other first-timers to pay attention and share my mistake. I know what I did wrong, how I did it, and I freely admit it was my mistake. Take my story for what it's worth and if you have something negative to say about me or my mechanical aptitude, just keep yourself from looking like an ******* and move along.
How about doing searches on this site on cam installs(there are probably thousands by now since the site have been around nearly 10 years) or asking questions BEFORE you create a problem and short of that have an assistant who has GenIII experience around for guidance? I thought all of the possible mistakes had already been made then I read this new one. How in the world you can set the front cover down on top of the lip of the pan(totally missing the gasket) and not realize something is wrong is beyond me. On top of that you have to put the bolts in and crank them all down(folding the gasket over at 90 degrees in the process forcing into a place where the front cover is supposed to reside) without realizing there is a gap between the back face of the cover and the front of the block where you just folded the gasket over backwards. Don't you even do a cursory inspection of your work as you go along? Apparently NOT! These are the kind of steps that LS1HowTo doesn't even bother to mention because it is assumed if you are at that level certain things are taken for granted.
I like to bitch and I also like to poke fun at people who screw up when they don't have to if they would just a little research. That's one of the main reasons this site exists. It provides tons if information to keep people out of trouble if they will just look for or ask for it. If you screw up it's because you didn't take the time to get the help you needed. Some people get lucky when they screw up as in this case(maybe they should play the Powerball that day) while others end up with real damage. Do I feel sorry for them? A little, but not very much. Hopefully they'll learn from their mistake and other will too and not repeat them.
I like to bitch and I also like to poke fun at people who screw up when they don't have to if they would just a little research. That's one of the main reasons this site exists. It provides tons if information to keep people out of trouble if they will just look for or ask for it. If you screw up it's because you didn't take the time to get the help you needed. Some people get lucky when they screw up as in this case(maybe they should play the Powerball that day) while others end up with real damage. Do I feel sorry for them? A little, but not very much. Hopefully they'll learn from their mistake and other will too and not repeat them.
Last edited by W es 6; Mar 6, 2009 at 09:38 AM.
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Yeah, at first I was pissed that it happened. Then I looked on the shop floor next to my car and there was a LS1 block sitting there that had a broken Rod Bolt, and the dumbass that owned it drove the **** home over 10 miles. So instead of replacing connecting rods and getting the crankshaft turned, now he has a destroyed crank, cam, pistons, and a cracked block. It could always be worse.
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24,241
Likes: 89
From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
In order to avoid this specific problem, do this:
1)After replacing your oil pump, if you are, tighten all of the oil pan bolts except the front two which go up into the front cover. Torque to specs.
2)When installing the front cover, be extra careful to line it up well on the crank shaft, then "set" it down onto the oil pan, installing but not tightening all of the bolts to the front cover.
3)Install the two front oil pan bolts and use them to draw the front cover down onto the oil pan, and just keep an eye on the gasket to make sure you get a good seal and don't f*ck it up like I did. Torque to specs.
4)Continue with the remainder of the install (I assume you're using ls1howto.com).
This is what I learned after a lengthy lecture by my mechanic and by carefully watching him do it the right way. If you have any other questions, just pm me.
1)After replacing your oil pump, if you are, tighten all of the oil pan bolts except the front two which go up into the front cover. Torque to specs.
2)When installing the front cover, be extra careful to line it up well on the crank shaft, then "set" it down onto the oil pan, installing but not tightening all of the bolts to the front cover.
3)Install the two front oil pan bolts and use them to draw the front cover down onto the oil pan, and just keep an eye on the gasket to make sure you get a good seal and don't f*ck it up like I did. Torque to specs.
4)Continue with the remainder of the install (I assume you're using ls1howto.com).
This is what I learned after a lengthy lecture by my mechanic and by carefully watching him do it the right way. If you have any other questions, just pm me.