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Yet another LM7 build

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Old Mar 10, 2012 | 09:47 PM
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Default Yet another LM7 build

Well guys and girls winter is now behind us and santa has come and gone. I figured what better time to start tearing into my christmas present from the wife a used LM7 long block. After seeing the motor I thought what a great opportunity for a budget swap, always wanted to do one with a 5.3 base. As I thought about it this motor is like the mystery meat they served me for chow in Iraq and Afghanistan. I had no idea what it was, where it came from, or how long it was there. So with that said looks like this is going to hopefully turn into a nice build, with some guidance from the peanut gallery (you), some friends and my drive to learn. This by the way will be the first attempt at assembling a short block.

Here's some pics





Notice the left outside bolt on the #1 main cap.

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Old Mar 11, 2012 | 07:01 AM
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Are you going to do a stock rebuild? What measuring tools will you be using?

I'm in the same boat, ended up going with 4" crank and a 3.9 bore.

Good luck!
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Old Mar 11, 2012 | 11:12 AM
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Def gonna be a stock bore size and stroke. I'm going to try and keep this build as cheap as I can. As for measuring tools if I can stay away from the machine shop I will, but without knowing any info about the motor I don't think thats a good idea. So if I end up going to a machine shop for cleaning I'll try see if they can take a few measurments.
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Old Mar 11, 2012 | 04:37 PM
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Finally got a chance to tear into the christmas present so I wanted to give yall a look inside.

These were the rod bearings that looked to have the most wear.



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Old Mar 11, 2012 | 04:50 PM
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Main bearings looked pretty good.


#3 main bearing


Not sure what that is, didn't want to touch it while taking pics.
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Old Mar 12, 2012 | 05:17 AM
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I'm doin' a l59 (lm7,same difference),for a 2002 yukon xl. my mains had the same gunk in the oil passages in your last pic. Ended up going .020 over to true up the cylinders, just had to polish the crank.
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Old Mar 12, 2012 | 10:22 AM
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Originally Posted by ride65
I'm doin' a l59 (lm7,same difference),for a 2002 yukon xl. my mains had the same gunk in the oil passages in your last pic. Ended up going .020 over to true up the cylinders, just had to polish the crank.
I see how much did machine work run you?
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Old Mar 13, 2012 | 07:17 AM
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65.00 to boil ,120.00 for the machinework, 40.00 to polish the crank and chamfer the oil pass. shop around for gasket and stuff, the prices vary,local purchase was double what I paid on the net,place I bought from was very reasonable, only thing I bought separately were the head bolts and lifters.
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Old Mar 13, 2012 | 11:32 AM
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Thanks for the info man. Ill be posting some more pics today.
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Old Mar 13, 2012 | 02:21 PM
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Nice!!! I can't wait to get my iron 5.3
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Old Mar 13, 2012 | 09:21 PM
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Originally Posted by King Nothing
Nice!!! I can't wait to get my iron 5.3
Dude I'm so excited to get it done. Dont even know what imma put it in.
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Old Mar 13, 2012 | 10:12 PM
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Shopping around for bearings (rod, cam, & main) and i'm a little confused guys. There so many brands and sizes out there its got me thinking. Honestly I get a warm and fuzzy for Clevite bearings, Its what I chose to put in my LS1. I just really don't get why theres so many sizes out there. Do I stick with stock replacement sizes or is this something that comes after clearances are measured. I hope i'm making sense with this question. This is a learning experience.
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Old Mar 14, 2012 | 05:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Datankid069
Shopping around for bearings (rod, cam, & main) and i'm a little confused guys. There so many brands and sizes out there its got me thinking. Honestly I get a warm and fuzzy for Clevite bearings, Its what I chose to put in my LS1. I just really don't get why theres so many sizes out there. Do I stick with stock replacement sizes or is this something that comes after clearances are measured. I hope i'm making sense with this question. This is a learning experience.
You won't know until you measure. I had to buy 2 sets of main bearings, Clevite H and HX. I'm mixing and matching them where necessary to get ideal clearances.
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Old Mar 14, 2012 | 10:21 AM
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Originally Posted by ride65
65.00 to boil ,120.00 for the machinework, 40.00 to polish the crank and chamfer the oil pass. shop around for gasket and stuff, the prices vary,local purchase was double what I paid on the net,place I bought from was very reasonable, only thing I bought separately were the head bolts and lifters.
Yes prices vary greatly. I found rings for $75 most places wanted over 100 for them.
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Old Mar 14, 2012 | 10:31 AM
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Originally Posted by omc8
Yes prices vary greatly. I found rings for $75 most places wanted over 100 for them.
Alright this is what I'm talking about I most be a idiot I came up with 303 for a complete ring set on summit. Does that sound right?
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Old Mar 14, 2012 | 06:34 PM
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I paid $175 for a complete Wiseco GFX ring set
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Old Mar 14, 2012 | 08:33 PM
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You can get Speed-Pro flat tops for a 4.8L from Summit for $180-190 that work great in a 5.3L ,,,,,,,,,,Rockauto for rings $50-60 LS2 timing set $30 ,,,,,,,,,,Alex's parts for bearings ,,,,,King bearings rods $16 mains like $50 ,,,,,,,,,I found an Melling standard volume n pressure new oil pump at Amazon under Northern auto for $60 brand new ,,,,,,Fred beans parts brand new GM LS6 yellow valve springs for $59 ........etc
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Old Mar 14, 2012 | 10:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Datankid069
Dude I'm so excited to get it done. Dont even know what imma put it in.
my iron 5.3 (5.7 when i'm done ) will go into this

why did you choose an iron block? i'll be going with boost so of course i wanted strength . . . plus i found a iron 5.3 for $100 lol
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Old Mar 15, 2012 | 01:29 AM
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Originally Posted by chrisfrost
You can get Speed-Pro flat tops for a 4.8L from Summit for $180-190 that work great in a 5.3L ,,,,,,,,,,Rockauto for rings $50-60 LS2 timing set $30 ,,,,,,,,,,Alex's parts for bearings ,,,,,King bearings rods $16 mains like $50 ,,,,,,,,,I found an Melling standard volume n pressure new oil pump at Amazon under Northern auto for $60 brand new ,,,,,,Fred beans parts brand new GM LS6 yellow valve springs for $59 ........etc
need I say more! Thanks for making my day.

Originally Posted by King Nothing
my iron 5.3 (5.7 when i'm done ) will go into this

why did you choose an iron block? i'll be going with boost so of course i wanted strength . . . plus i found a iron 5.3 for $100 lol
As weird as it sounds I love the looks of a empty f-body engine bay. It makes you think about the endless options. Good luck, keep us posted. Here's how mine sits just started digging back into it yesterday, two projects at once.



Seems to like her new bottle though.
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Old Mar 15, 2012 | 08:58 AM
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red SS' rock!!
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