Title says it all. I bought a 2001 LS1 with 80K miles, tore it down and the thrust bearing is trashed. So the crank is garbage. What are my options here? Can I just pick up a crank, have the machine shop look over everything and throw it all back together with new bearings etc...? Or are there other issues that must be considered? I really don't even know what the culprit was that caused this in the first place as I bought the engine and trans as a pullout.

 

Have you measured endplay? Just curious as I had one open up to .040 and the crank was rubbing the block. Stock should be .004 to .008. Yes you could buy a crank only, drop off everything you have to a machine shop and let them assemble it with new bearings. Some places can weld the thrust surface on the crank and regrind it back to spec, but the ones I talked to said they weren't confident on the weld holding. Here's my faulure:

https://ls1tech.com/forums/racers-lo...ew-engine.html

The biggest problem is to ensure it doesn't happen again. Is this an M6 or A4?

 

I didn't measure, but there was a ton of slack in it. Enough that I could move the crank back and forth a fair bit so it would make a 'clunking' noise where it was hitting.

Its an A4, and that's what I'm worried about the most. I don't want to put this thing all back together only to have it happen again. What would cause this? I'm assuming something trans or converter related, pushing on the crank? I guess it would be wise to have the trans checked out too.

 

Converter ballooning could push forward on the crank. Could have too high of line pressures. Thrust damage seems to be a grey subject. Its hard to say exactly what causes the damage. But yes, I heard that a trans, converter, engine accs, and even engine electrical could cause thrust damage. Do some searching around and you will see what I mean.

 

well it would be the rearward thrust if something was pushing forward.

 

Sorry to bring it up. Im having issues with my engine as well.
What are the symptoms showing a bad thrust bearings?
My crank sensor keep going off even when it is brand new

 

Crank loosing signal is one, I had an oil pressure dip on hard throttle which is what tipped me off.