Is it possible to swap the rods and pistons from the bottom of an LS1? Just drop the oil pan, and swap all 8 out? I'm trying not to drop the engine and tear it all apart just to swap the pistons and rods.

 

no it is not.

 

X2
Pull the engine and do it from the top. Plus you'll want to hone the cylinders and I would change the main bearings too. If you can use a lift pull it through the bottom.

 

Even if you could pull them from the bottom... how would you get them back IN? Piston ring compressors don't work on the bottom of the bore, lol.

 

Why not just pull the heads and oil pan in the car and change them?

 

I used to know a guy who rebuilt several engines with the block still in the car. Always thought that was very interesting. Guess the main bearings were never part of the rebuild...LOL

 

i really hate to admit this but i have actually done this before. i wouldnt recommend it to anyone though. why wouldnt you just take the motor out and tear down/rebuild the motor? i replaced the rings in a 1998 LS1 because it had 240K and was smoking pretty bad. we removed the heads, oil pan and lifted the motor 5 inches or so. take out the rod bolts/rod caps and the pistons will just pop out the top. may as well replace the main and rod bearings while you are there though and dont expect to put another 100k on the motor as it is just a costly, temporary fix. good luck

 

Hell i've done it so many many times, if you ever worked at a dealer how do you think they do it? yep you guessed. Done properly on a engine that just needs freshing up its perfectly fine.

 

i guess if you are just changing the rings it is ok.(pistons have to come out from the top and go in the same way) but chances are if you rings need to be replaced so do your bearings

 

Dealerships dont rebuild engines anymore, they just replace the entire engine and are done with it from what Ive heard..

 

You have heard wrong lol. My buddy works at a dealership and just recently replaced a piston in a trailblazer SS under warranty. Only replaced ONE piston and set of rings...no new bearings or anything. Didnt even pull the cam or front or rear covers lmao...

 

Now that they are all broke and they have to watch their expences! Its quite possible...

 

I've seen it with my own eyes. Had one piston pulled out the bottom?? and replaced at the dealer. Ain't that some ****!