LS1 Cylinder Head
#1
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Hi Guys,
I have a 02 SS stock Camaro. The spark plug closes to the firewall on the driver side popped out the cylinder head when I tried to start the car. Any suggestions on what I can do to fix it. Would it be easier to try and rethread it myself, have a shop try to fix the cylinder head or replace both heads. I have about 150,000 on the engine. All suggestions are welcomed!! Just frustrated. Only had the car 3 years, never had that problem happen to me before.
Thanks,
Ren
I have a 02 SS stock Camaro. The spark plug closes to the firewall on the driver side popped out the cylinder head when I tried to start the car. Any suggestions on what I can do to fix it. Would it be easier to try and rethread it myself, have a shop try to fix the cylinder head or replace both heads. I have about 150,000 on the engine. All suggestions are welcomed!! Just frustrated. Only had the car 3 years, never had that problem happen to me before.
Thanks,
Ren
#3
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (5)
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How loose is the spark plug if you try to thread it back in the head? If just a little, you can just use a thread chaser to make some new threads for the plug to sit flush.
If it wobbles alot then it might be too much for the handheld chaser to do much. At that point you would have to take it to a shop to fix, which depending on the cost might be just worth to find another head and swap it out. LS1 heads go for $150 a pair and you would just need some $50 in gaskets, $40 in bolts and coolant/oil.
If you have the money, upgrading to some 5.3s or 243s while you're at it would be worthwhile.
If it wobbles alot then it might be too much for the handheld chaser to do much. At that point you would have to take it to a shop to fix, which depending on the cost might be just worth to find another head and swap it out. LS1 heads go for $150 a pair and you would just need some $50 in gaskets, $40 in bolts and coolant/oil.
If you have the money, upgrading to some 5.3s or 243s while you're at it would be worthwhile.
#5
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (12)
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I would go a head and pull the head IF the plug just didn't work its way out because it wasn't tightened down right. If the threads need any work at all, you wont have a way to get the shavings out of the cylinder without pulling it. And like redtan said, don't look at this as a bad thing. Look at it as an opportunity to UPGRADE!! This is the stuff a married mans dreams are made of !! Baby , we HAVE to fix the car . It wont run at all like this! LOL . The glass is half full, brother. Not half empty.
#6
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Thanks guys for your great feedback. I think I'm going to pull the head off and take it to a machine shop. I'm in Atlanta, GA. Do any have any recommendation for mechanics that specialize in Camaro LS1 engines who can pull the head that is trust worthy and knowledgable?
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#8
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My son's 98 T/A had the passenger side rear plug pop out back in May. suspect whoever replaced the plugs before he bought it never tightened that plug. it is a bitch. Anyway we pulled the head took it to a machine shop and he drilled it out and put a new insert in it. Cost $20. Been holding since May. About 8k miles