H/C for a noob?
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H/C for a noob? I am about to attempt a H/C install on my GTO and I have never done one before.
I have always messed with exhaust, headers, intakes, intake manifolds, etc...
But I have never really tore into an engine before...
I have read the LS1HOWTO guide about 10 times... (NO JOKE) And everything seems pretty damn straight forward...
2 things I am worried about:
1. getting carnk pulley and crank pulley bolt off... It seems like this may be kinda tough...
2. getting the cam/crank alligned and reinstalling the timing chain... If anyone can offer any soothing words this would be appreciated! I am kinda scared of this step!
So what do you guys think? Am I crazy for trying to do this on my own?
I think I should be able to do it.... I hope
Oh yah, I will have some help from my dad! He knows a little about engines.... But he has never worked on an LSX...
Thanks guys!
I have always messed with exhaust, headers, intakes, intake manifolds, etc...
But I have never really tore into an engine before...
I have read the LS1HOWTO guide about 10 times... (NO JOKE) And everything seems pretty damn straight forward...
2 things I am worried about:
1. getting carnk pulley and crank pulley bolt off... It seems like this may be kinda tough...
2. getting the cam/crank alligned and reinstalling the timing chain... If anyone can offer any soothing words this would be appreciated! I am kinda scared of this step!
So what do you guys think? Am I crazy for trying to do this on my own?
I think I should be able to do it.... I hope
Oh yah, I will have some help from my dad! He knows a little about engines.... But he has never worked on an LSX...
Thanks guys!
first off how many miles are on your car? if its decent mileage you may want to go ahead and swap out your lifters NOW or atleast UPGRADE..i know it just costme my cammed 113K LS1..now im buyin a new shortblock..
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 42
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I am all thumbs, zero mechanical ability- a buddy and I are 95% done with a H&C install, just need to put the manifold back on, fill with coolant and change the oil. Pending any mishaps, it will have taken us about 11 hours of actual labor and 25% of that was cleaning rock/sand filled radiator and ac condensor and diagnosing some clutch issues.
The crankbolt was easy with a gun. Took several minutes with the gun but broke over. Getting the new pully on was the crazy part. LS1 How to discounts the difficulty of this without a longer bolt- As luck would have it, we found access to a Gen 3 tool kit from a local dealer that had a pully install tool with the threaded rod. Getting that thing to 240 ft.lbs was absurd, but we did it.
Getting the timing chain all correct, no sweat. Just takes time- Turn the engine over by hand a few times, and keep checking the dot to dot.
So by and large, I'm sweating it out until we turn the key and get it tuned, etc.- but your question is the difficulty...if you can follow directions and you can turn a wrench--- no problemo.
good luck.
The crankbolt was easy with a gun. Took several minutes with the gun but broke over. Getting the new pully on was the crazy part. LS1 How to discounts the difficulty of this without a longer bolt- As luck would have it, we found access to a Gen 3 tool kit from a local dealer that had a pully install tool with the threaded rod. Getting that thing to 240 ft.lbs was absurd, but we did it.
Getting the timing chain all correct, no sweat. Just takes time- Turn the engine over by hand a few times, and keep checking the dot to dot.
So by and large, I'm sweating it out until we turn the key and get it tuned, etc.- but your question is the difficulty...if you can follow directions and you can turn a wrench--- no problemo.
good luck.
It is really straight forward. There are some nightmare stories though. Set yourself aside a weekend where you can be without your ride. Taking your time is one of the best steps in doing this procedure for the first time. I have done several of them. It only gets easier as you go. Point is you will run into some sort of a problem be it minor or major. Be prepared to replace a part that you accidentally broke, or to pull the rockers back off once you realize the pushrods are laying in a box on the work bench. (That happened to me) 
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TECH Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: BFE
Couple of things:
>Before you remove the timing chain, stop it by hand turning with piston #1 at TDC.
It is easier to realign afterwards.
>You can use a little weight at the end of a thread and just dangle it at the cam gear dot. Gravity will do its thing and it should allign with the crank gear dot (sometimes it is really close but not perfect, just less than a tooth), I put a dot of white paint on each dot to make it more visible.
>If you change lifters, change the plastic cups, they are cheap.
>Triple check on the oil pickup O-ring (front/back/sides) If you pinch it, you'll have to tear down again.
>Tie a fine piece of thread on the pickup tube bolt (I used gorilla fishing line), that + rags will prevent it dropping in the pan.
>Watch out for the sensor at back of intake.
>Make the the p-rods are centred in the rocker cup before final torquing.
My best advice is don't push it, that is when mistakes happen. Take your time.
>Before you remove the timing chain, stop it by hand turning with piston #1 at TDC.
It is easier to realign afterwards.
>You can use a little weight at the end of a thread and just dangle it at the cam gear dot. Gravity will do its thing and it should allign with the crank gear dot (sometimes it is really close but not perfect, just less than a tooth), I put a dot of white paint on each dot to make it more visible.
>If you change lifters, change the plastic cups, they are cheap.
>Triple check on the oil pickup O-ring (front/back/sides) If you pinch it, you'll have to tear down again.
>Tie a fine piece of thread on the pickup tube bolt (I used gorilla fishing line), that + rags will prevent it dropping in the pan.
>Watch out for the sensor at back of intake.
>Make the the p-rods are centred in the rocker cup before final torquing.
My best advice is don't push it, that is when mistakes happen. Take your time.
i remember tackling my first h/c swap. i was scared shitless man!!! but that is also what kept me going. i just kept my patience and got through it fine. of course, on that first start up, i was freakin out 
but she turned over fine, and oh what a feeling to know you did it all by yourself like i said, take your time and you will be fine. this is a great site with lots of helpful info and good people who dont mind taking time to help you out. weve all been there before
but she turned over fine, and oh what a feeling to know you did it all by yourself like i said, take your time and you will be fine. this is a great site with lots of helpful info and good people who dont mind taking time to help you out. weve all been there before 
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Las Vegas, NV
Originally Posted by viewsonic
I am about to attempt a H/C install on my GTO and I have never done one before.
I have always messed with exhaust, headers, intakes, intake manifolds, etc...
But I have never really tore into an engine before...
I have read the LS1HOWTO guide about 10 times... (NO JOKE) And everything seems pretty damn straight forward...
2 things I am worried about:
1. getting carnk pulley and crank pulley bolt off... It seems like this may be kinda tough...
2. getting the cam/crank alligned and reinstalling the timing chain... If anyone can offer any soothing words this would be appreciated! I am kinda scared of this step!
So what do you guys think? Am I crazy for trying to do this on my own?
I think I should be able to do it.... I hope
Oh yah, I will have some help from my dad! He knows a little about engines.... But he has never worked on an LSX...
Thanks guys!
I have always messed with exhaust, headers, intakes, intake manifolds, etc...
But I have never really tore into an engine before...
I have read the LS1HOWTO guide about 10 times... (NO JOKE) And everything seems pretty damn straight forward...
2 things I am worried about:
1. getting carnk pulley and crank pulley bolt off... It seems like this may be kinda tough...
2. getting the cam/crank alligned and reinstalling the timing chain... If anyone can offer any soothing words this would be appreciated! I am kinda scared of this step!
So what do you guys think? Am I crazy for trying to do this on my own?
I think I should be able to do it.... I hope
Oh yah, I will have some help from my dad! He knows a little about engines.... But he has never worked on an LSX...
Thanks guys!
Get the dots aligned so you think it looks good, then turn the crank over by hand and see if the dots still line up. Reinstalling the timing chain, the natural tendency is to pull all the slack out of the chain and then trying to fit it on. When you leave a little slack in the chain, it pops right on. Good luck!!
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Lithium
looks good! now for the shittiest part of the install...cleaning the bolt holes
