Kagnu

2000 C5 Corvette M6 stock LS1 + headers

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...st+plate,10606

Some have recessed bolts some not, I wanted to go with the Fel-pro because of the 3-rib design, but not sure if recessed bolts pose a problem. Is this okay?

dixiebandit69

Factory uses recessed bolts.

Kagnu

Thank you so much!!

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

well....they use the countersunk bolts ...now....the old style were regular bolts....either is fine....i prefer not to bugger up any torx bolts myself and use regular bolts

Darth_V8r

iTrader: (4)

This.

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

and gotta make sure you know.....dont use regular bolts in countersunk holes....have to use the old style plate....NLA from GM but aftermarket has plenty

grinder11

iTrader: (1)

Another tip. Most times you remove stubborn bolts with heat, you heat the material around the threads. I once broke an Allen wrench in a retainer plate flat head screw!! I didn't want to try heating all that aluminum around the screw threads, so I put the flame right on the screw head. You're basically trying to liquefy the loctite in the threads. It only takes about 6-10 seconds, and it will come right out. BTW, in my apprenticeship, and also from journeyman Tool and Diemakers, we were taught not to use any threadlocker on countersunk holes/flathead screws. Maybe thats why I broke my wrench!!! Still, I can't recommend foregoing loctite in this application, it's just extra insurance. Hope this helps.......

Kagnu

So if I need to use the Trick Flow dampener adapter(not sure if my block is drilled for it yet) I would probably want to use the flat, non-countersunk plate?

95maroz28

iTrader: (21)

Amazon has the mahle ls1 thrust plate or cam retainer plate new for 13$-15$. I bought one for my 99 corvette ls1 cam swap. Brand new factory style plate with the flat bolt heads not the new style countersunk i had a countersunk plate one time and seemed like it would crack at the beveled part of the plate bolt surface area.
This is the flat style prior to 06 worked great for my 99 cam swap its currently 18$ was 15$ when i bought one and went down to 13$ right after on amazon summit has it for 15$.

grinder11

iTrader: (1)

Kurt Urban, renowned engine builder now at Scoggin Dickey, once told me that he had seen the newer style flat head screw/countersunk type plate crack occasionally when torqued to spec. He recommended going a few ft/lbs shy of the torque spec, and using blue loctite on the screws.

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

I have never used the trick flow piece ....so not a clue which plate it requires

gagliano7

That is what i did on my 5.3.

wormw00d

do you need to replace the gasket whenever you change cams, if so do they make just the rubber piece, or do you need the whole plate too?

n2xlr8n66

iTrader: (3)

Replace the plate. $9 from my local engine parts warehouse.

G Atsma

^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^
Too cheap to keep the old one, besides which, they do wear out.

Flyguy

Question: Is there a clearance concern between the countersunk vs flat bolthead approach. I have 5.3L engine. While torquing the countersunk plate the bottom hole cracked. Not a good feeling!

My question/concern is if I go with the flat boltheads is there sufficient clearance between the top of the bolthead and the timing gear that spins around above the bolt heads. It appears as if there is, but GM must have had a reason to go with the countersunk style.

Che70velle

iTrader: (6)

I’ve never had a clearance issue while using the plate with outside bolt heads.

1FastBrick

iTrader: (16)

The only time I have experienced an issue with the exposed bolt heads was with an aftermarket timing set that had a 1x cam gear. They did not clear the back of the cam gear and I had to switch to the recessed style cover and screws on that motor.

FU_I_AM_UltraZ

iTrader: (20)

Recessed bolts is a newer/updated design. So you can use either or with gen3 motor...