I am in the shakedown process and have a few questions.
1. I had a mystery leak drip start ...its got a drip fest from the starter side, starter is got a bit of oil. Got my camera on a stick out and it appears not to be the valve cover but in the starter area. Is there anything I should look for?
2. The lower alternator mounting bolt is so close to the serpentine belt, I am running a Camaro mount. Is there a special small diameter head bolt I need to use? I am too close for comfort, 1/16 away
3. I do not know which thermostat I have, it's sems to be a 190-195. It's runs steady between 185 to 200 degrees. Is this ok or should I go with a 160+ thermostat? My Jeep is a roc crawler so this is the shakedown road temp. I am running a dual pass alumnimum Thomas Brice rad and a 3300 Flexalite fan
4. I have about 15 psi at idle, running 5/30 semi synthic at idle @ 195 *. 60 on start up, about 40 + at cruise. I am planning on dumping the breakin oil and using Joe Gibb new LS 30 oil, should I be using anything better different.

Back story is I live on Vancouver island in a hick town with no support so i aplogize for the basic questions.

 

anyone

 

I think you might have your serpentine belt routed incorrectly.
This the bolt your talking about?
It looks close from this camera angle, but there's at least 1/2" of clearance... and the belt dont run in this area...
I can see how, if the belt was routed wrong it would be about 1/16" away from this bolt head.

 

Thanks, I have my route wrong. I have a PSC N style ps pump and undrerdrive alternator pulley so I hope it works that way in the photo. Is the photo a Camaro setup?

 

That is stock routing for an LS F-body yes

 

Yup, Camaro...yay I helped someone on this forum Lmao...

 

thanks, I still need some info on the stock thermostat, can someone confirm it is about 190*?

 

Stock thermostat is a 195.. you are fine with that in there. If you do upgrade, go for the 180 thermo vice the 160.

The LS engines are designed to run best between 190-210 and similar oil temps. (This info doesn't come from me, it comes from the guy who designed the cooling system of the LS1)

 

Thanks!! Now that's why I come to LS1tech rather than Pirate4x4. hey my Jeep made the Pirate4x4 News Letter this month, whodda thunk itt??

 

I have about 15 psi at idle, running 5/30 semi **** joober cheapy synthic at idle @ 195 *. 60 on start up, about 40 + at cruise. I am planning on dumping the breakin oil and using Joe Gibb new LS 30 oil, should I be using anything better different.

 

15 psi at idle when its fully warmed up sounds too low for me. The owner's manual I believe states acceptable psi no lower than 25 psi or so. Definitely change out the oil for something full synthetic and with high zinc content for the rings. Cruise and startup sound fine.

I have no knowledge of that Joe Gibbs oil other than using it to break in my old LS1 but if it came from him its prolly good stuff. I use Royal Purple 5w30 and might step up to something a little thicker this next time.

 

When I autocross my stock LS7 Z06 Vette and the valve spring heat spikes the oil temp to 220-230 degrees on a hot day, it will idle at 20PSI oil pressure. Normal idle pressure is 28-34PSI, this with Mobil1 10/30WT oil in the sump.

Anything over 15PSI should be fine in my old school book, the rule of thumb is for every 1000RPM=10PSI of oil pressure, if the pressure doesn't build up to over 25PSI by 2000RPM, then I would start worrying. Has anyone screwed with the oil pick-up tube? going into oil pump. O-ring leaks are easily caused and can be source of low idle pressures..

 

I changed oil to Lucas synthetic and my oil pressure is at 23 psi at 800 rpm in gear at 200 f. I It has a good zinc level and 2 LS1 guys I know use it, one with 170,000 miles. ordered a Hypertech 180 thermostat.

My mystery oil leak has healed...for now