Im doing a cam/spring/timing chain/oi pump install this weekend on my motor. After reading the write up on ls1howto I had a question. Since the motor is sitting on a stand Im assuming its much easier to just remove the entire oil pan and swap the pump out that way, instead of just lossening it? Also I didnt see it mentioned in the write up but it the oil pan gasket reusable or will I need a new one? Sorry for the newbie question but im completely inexperienced at this and this is my first swap.

 

Yes removing the pan would make the job easier and I would replace the gasket while I had the pan off. There will be 2 small rivets you will have to drill out.

 

since the engine is on a stand, yes, just remove the pan. Yes the gasket is reusable. If you have some miles on it, i would just replace it while you can.

 

Change the gasket. I did an install in the car at at the oil filter boss the gasket didnt reseal. 600$ later the dealership had it fixed(didnt feel like dropping the k member)

 

Sweet thanks guys. The engine only has 12k on it but Ill change gaskets anyhow. Any suggestions on gaskets?

 

What chain? Single or double roller?

 

Its a double roller.

 

It would probably be in your best interest to loosen the nut on the windage tray for the oil pick up tube while you do this then. That double roller should have come with spacers which will move that pump forward and may cause issues with the o-ring seating in the oil pump properly.

I haven't read the how-to that you mentioned. Does it tell you about using feeler gauges or clearancing the timing cover?

 

definately change the gasket. did mine in the car week before last and when i put it back up and cranked it it was leaking by the oil filter. since youre there, its too easy to replace it. also, be careful not to crack your oil pan when you pull it off. sounds crazy but it happens.

 

I've swapped cams twice in my car on the original 90k oil pan gasket. Never leaked a drop yet. Lowered the pan both times also

 

I would say you are in the minority. Most high mileage cam swaps end up with leaky oil pans....if not at first then eventually.

 

the pan I did was a nightmare it sprayed right over the filter where the oil actually flows through the pan. Probably one of the few things that I dislike about the LS motors and favor the old small blocks. 12k might be ok but I have a feeling 50 bucks from oreillys is worth the piece of mind after youre putting probably over a grand in the thing. Im not sure if ours didnt reseal initially or just when I had to redrop it not due to a pinched oring but a straight up worn out one(lost its squishy). At this point its water under the bridge, money down the toilet, and a lesson learned. Good luck with the build

 

Thanks for allthe input guys. Unfortuntaly I didntget a chance to start the swap this weekend. I didnt realize a double roller chain requires the can to be degreed so Im waiting on a degree kit. At this point i think im just going to wait until thanksgiving weekend so I have 3 days in a row to work on it.

 

not a bad idea. nothings worse than trying to figure out where you left off

 

Exactly what I was thinking lol

 

Old small block chevys leaked like a screen door compared to a LS series engine...my DD LS1 with 223,000+ miles does not leak a drop and never has...3 heads and cam swaps and oil pump swaps...numerous valve spring swaps too ..still using the original valve cover gaskets and pan gaskets .... I wish I had a dollar for every oil leak I have fixed on a gen 1 sbc..I could have retired years ago.

 

haha to each their own. I think theres good and bad to both. more good to the ls series of course, but I like my old small blocks too.

 

I ran injected and supercharged gassers back in the 60's beleive me I know a little about sbc engines....the LS series kicks its azz in every department....I like the way the old ones look but I sure wish I had LS engines back in the day....

PS Think back and remember how many sbc valve cover gaskets leaked like a screen door... you may not be old enough to remember this ... everybody tightened them too much which made them leak for sure...I made a bunch of $$ fixing that problem..

 

Haha honestly no, I'm 19 in college. I guess I just like that old school sound and I find them fun to work on. My theory is those who forget history are doomed to repeat it, so I just enjoy both. I have one of each and I don't think they have one thing in common past 8 cylinders, but i guess thats what makes it fun. It's a constant battle to see which one i can get faster