Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Well crap........

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 14, 2015 | 08:36 PM
  #1  
StolenFox's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 176
Likes: 4
Default Well crap........

I went to pull the stock cam out today in preparation for finally assembly of my junkyard LQ4/LS2/LS3 hybrid and couldn't get it more than half way out. Hear a little clicking noise when I rotate the cam so I look down the lifter bore to find one of the cam bearings has pulled free from the block and is "stovepiping". Finally work the cam out by using a screwdriver to square up the canted bearing and sure enough a journal is scored so it's a spun cam bearing......... Damn.

Now everything makes sense: Non-wrecked Fedex van that I pulled the 6.0 from was retired because the oil pump pickup o-ring split (I found it and fixed earlier) so it lost oil pressure and spun the cam bearing. Low oil pressure light comes on and valve train gets loud so Fedex junks it. Guess it's better to have learned it now then after I have it in the car!

So I've got a Gen 3 LQ4 long block with a spun cam bearing and a Gen 4 L96 bare block that had a spun rod bearing. Which one would you use for the rebuild? I'm leaning toward the Gen 4.

Thoughts?
S.F.
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2015 | 10:12 PM
  #2  
01WS6/tamu's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
iTrader: (37)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,121
Likes: 75
From: somewhere in TX
Default

Use the newer motor the other motors scrap once it spins cam bearing
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2015 | 05:54 AM
  #3  
StolenFox's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 176
Likes: 4
Default

Originally Posted by 01WS6/tamu
Use the newer motor the other motors scrap once it spins cam bearing
I was afraid of that. It's scrap because once the bearing spins it grinds the block and opens up the bearing bore so the bearing won't fit securely anymore, correct?

S.F.
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2015 | 06:50 AM
  #4  
RockinWs6's Avatar
TECH Addict
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,628
Likes: 30
Default

You can buy over size cam bearings, why not repair it?
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2015 | 07:08 AM
  #5  
StolenFox's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 176
Likes: 4
Default Update.

Well after deciding to build the gen 4 block I had a friend express interest on the LQ4. Since neither of us knew if it was good I let him take it to his machine shop to be checked out before money changed hands. Come to find out the cam bore was perfect and new bearings went right in properly. I guess what I read about the bearing shells shrinking from lack of oil is true and when the shell shrinks it can't grind away the bore.

Glad to know that it can still be used (going to be a 408 soon) and that maybe more of these are actually salvageable.

S.F.
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2015 | 11:37 PM
  #6  
Paul Bell's Avatar
That's MISTER MODERATOR
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,615
Likes: 65
From: NYC
Default

As the gen4 block spun a rod bearing, the main bearing bore will more than likely need re-boring. And the crank journal is probably wiped too. No doubt this block & crank are done for.

A machine shop should be able to pop in a new set of cam bearings into the gen3 block. At worst, the cam is wiped.

Keep in mind these engines use a different PCM setup, the gen3 24x, the gen4, 58x. You'll need to match it to the PCM setup in the vehicle. You can't get one to work with the other.

What vehicle is this going into?
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:05 PM.

story-0
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-1
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-3
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-6
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-7
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-8
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE