HVYMTL

As the title reads, I wanted to check my pushrods last weekend to see if any were bent. Got the VC's off, everything looks good, no loose rockers or anything. Also looks very clean for a 143k mile engine. Anyway, I go to try to remove the first rocker, and I can't break the bolt loose by hand with a 3/8" ratchet. Aren't these supposed to only be at 22ft/lb? Or is it normal if they've never been touched, to be tough to break loose? Also I've seen/heard that it can be normal to have a little play in the rockers where you can slightly wiggle them back and forth. All of mine except one felt rock solid. I didn't go any further, just put my valve cover back on for the time being...

thunderstruck507

iTrader: (18)

I torqued mine to 22ft/lbs and last time I checked some I was dumb enough to think I was going to loosen them with a 1/4" drive in one hand fairly easily.

They are on there tighter than you think they are. Even with a 3.8" drive they took effort to loosen, don't just spin at a light touch like valve cover bolts or anything.

HVYMTL

Haha ok, I'll try again when I have a chance. I didn't want to screw something up, so I didn't put much muscle into it, thinking they would break loose fairly easy (sorry if that makes me sound like a noob, I've just never gotten deep into an engine before. I'm learning though! haha).

Thanks for the reply. Another question... I've done some searching trying to find out what stock LS1 springs looked like. Mine have a pink stripe, and I haven't seen any other stock springs like that yet. Any input? lol

thunderstruck507

iTrader: (18)

If my google search results are correct:

"PN 12589774 is the newest part number and it is used on the LS1, LS4, LQ4, LQ9, L92 and many other low lift camshaft engines. They are raw steel colored with a pink stripe. "

HVYMTL

Cool, thanks! I tried searching for "stock ls1 valve springs" here and on google and never found anything...weird. Oh well

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (6)

steel bolt into aluminum threads. You get galvanic corrosion, which makes those ***** stick HARD. Maybe enough oil gets in there to prevent it, but as mentioned, they do seem kind of hard to break free.

HVYMTL

Makes sense... safe to use something like a 3/8 impact to break them loose? Or strictly hand tools there? Definitely don't want to trash the threads or break off any bolts.

thunderstruck507

iTrader: (18)

I would use hand tools. Make sure they are set to loosen and they should break loose with some pressure.

HVYMTL

Wait... you mean they aren't Left handed threads?!?!?!







...that was a bad joke...

ZeeOSix

I used an 8 mm, 6-point impact socket (3/8" drive) on the rocker bolts. They take some good force to break loose - using hand tools, not air tools. If you don't use an impact socket you could break the socket ... heard this, so went with the impact socket to be safe.

Pony Exp.305

iTrader: (6)

Yes True..I use hand tools. I had the sockets break many times by impact air gun.Ls1 is expensive$$$$