Ok heres the deal
Theres a few machine shops out here that don’t have that much experience with the LS1
And I am afraid that they could do something wrong. And I don’t want to go through the trouble of shipping the motor out.
How different is the LS1 machine work and assembling compared to other small block chevys? Since I am spending a lot of money on parts I don’t want to have to redo everything again because the shop messes up on something. I would think that its not that hard but maybe I am wrong. These shops tell me its not rocket science and if they have all the parts in front of them it wouldn’t be a problem.

Now about balancing…these shops are telling me they need my pressure plate and flywheel? I though since these motors are internally balanced they wouldn’t need that? This shop said since I have aftermarket crank pulley, pressure plate, and flywheel that you have to balance it externally? I am kind of lost here so are there certain things I should tell these shops to do that they might not already now? Or a link to a website that I can print out for them?
Theres this one shop that’s close to me
he is a one man shop and has done this for over 30 years
Built 400+ci stroker fords, chevys, mopars, alcohol dragsters and all kinds of cars and would like to maybe have him do the work.
Thanks hope you guys can help me… I would like to get this monster running soon!!!!!

 

anyone?

 

First of all, you don't need the clutch and pressure plate to balance with. Aftermarket pulley does not warrant an external balance. It should be internally balanced. Get them to balance your clutch and flywheel separately. As far as assembling goes, it's just like any other SBC. Some other things to check are reluctor ring runout, and magnetivity of the crank.

 

All they need to balance is the crank, pistons, and rods.

Assembly is the same yes, but ALL the measurements and specs are different. As far as the machining goes they need a special deck plate to hone and bore the block.

 

A 351 Ford Windsor torque plate will work for the hone.

 

Honing should absolutely use a torque plate with the aluminum block. My machinist stated the last block he did distorted significantly with head bolts added. Otherwise, what everyone said above is pretty accurate.

 

Did my FM bearings get sent out last tuesday by chance? Thanks


These shops all use torque plates and this is a iron block

 

pm sent...... with a tracking number.

 

thanks


APE


Going with this shop that I just talked to and they have done around 20 LS1's
they said they always internaly balance

 

APE rocks.