ksnew

iTrader: (1)

Went to clay my motor and my valves and pistons are definitely playing patty cake.


Motor specs:
LS1 stock block except for deck is shaved .010(no priror knowledge of the block before it was in my hands, so it's possible its' been decked before)
Stock thickness 5.3 heads (the heads are tsp prc stage 2.5 5.3L heads)
tsp ms3 cam ( 237/242 .603"/.609 )
tsp 7.400 .080 push rods
stock timing gears with ls2 chain.

Here's the deal, I know this is a pretty common setup, there's probably several guys in here running the same exact setup (minus hg and decking) on a stock block and never have an issue. So why is my motor sh***ing the bed?

So here's my questions.
What thickness hg is known to work with this setup? (not including my shaving. I know I'll need to add .010 to it)
what other factors do I need to check? timing perhaps? could it cause an issue if it were off? where, and how can I check the degree of my cam?

What do I need to do to fix it? is having my pistons fly cut my only option?

I've been fighting this motor for nearly two years now, anyone who can point me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

A.R. Shale Targa

iTrader: (2)

Flycutting is about your only option. Factory pistons exit the block by 6-8
thousandths and if your block has been wacked then it's compounding the
issue of fitting that cam. Advancing or retarding the cam won't work as it
appears that both valves are hitting. Cometic makes a .060" gasket but it's
only .006" more than the GM mls peice. Lindy Tool time !!!!!

my406cid

What's the intake icl? What the gasket installed for the clay mock?a