pcf_mark

iTrader: (1)

First time I am swapping cam and springs in an LSX engine and I have a few questions. This is still a brand new engine with 0 miles.

1) How do you measure 240 ft-lbs on the new balancer bolt? Way out of range for my 1/2" drive torque wrench.
1A) How do you hold it still on the engine stand while doing this?
2) Do I need to align the front cover with the balance for the seal to live a long life? Looks like GM has a tool that does this when you put the cover on since there are no dowel pins - looking at the pics anyway
3) Do I need to replace the front cover gasket, front seal and water pump seals or are these o-ring type seals?

I am also swapping the springs but I am using the small spring compressor where it grabs the sides of the spring and you crank it down by hand.

Any other tips would be great!

Mark

duke of cruel

Hi mark,
if the engine hasent been heated, then you dont need to change the seals.
but do so if they look nicked or similar.
DoC

04Yukonxl

The balancer bolt is torque to yield, use a pneumatic impact to install your old bolt on the balancer. Finish the job with the motor in the car, put the engine in 4th gear or use the screwdriver if it's an auto. Get a big long 1/2" driver breaker bar (Harbor Freight). I believe you torque it to 35 ft. lbs. (check this) and then mark the new bolt (pull out the old one) with a sharpie. Now crank the bolt 180 degrees using the mark you made with the sharpie as a reference.

You can reuse all the gaskets, I've had mine off and on at least 5 times over the last 35K miles and no leaks at all.

The secret to installing the cover is to start all the bolts but keep them loose, then install the crank pulley. This aligns the cover to the crank seal which is the most important. Next, tighten the lower two pan bolts, then tighten the rest. Don't forget to put some RTV on a bead along the lower cover where it meets the oil pan.

For the springs, put the spring compressor you have in the garbage and get the dual spring compressor made by Crane. Most of the sponsors carry this. You can do two springs at once and this is the most time consuming part of the install.

If you already have lifters in the motor, use two 5/16 wooden dowls about 24" long to hold the lifters up when you pull the cam.

Also, triple check your timing marks by rotating the engine several times to make sure they line up every time. If you have the engine out, I'd get a degreeing kit (comp cams) and check the cam timing.

Good luck.

pcf_mark

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the tip on the Crane tool. I'll let you guys know if it works on the LS7 head. The cam swap sounds like the easy part now! Any tricks to installing the balancer? I assume I should rent/buy the install tool versus a very large mallet...

98blackSS

I use a piece of threaded rod, nut and washers to pull it on. Put the stress on this instead of the crank threads.. Do NOT hammer it on.

04Yukonxl

I use the ARP crank bolt and leave off the washer to start the pulley. That gives you plenty of threads to drive on the pulley. The ARP bolt is re-useable also.

c5racr1

iTrader: (1)

arp bolt wont work on ls7

pcf_mark

iTrader: (1)

Couple of feedback items now that the job is done:

1) Katech rocks! The cam, springs and retainers came when promised and are superior quality.
2) The Crane tool DOES NOT work on an LS7. Not even close. I used my old reliable type that grabs the outside of the spring and you turn a crank to compress - took me 90 minutes for all of them (engine out)
3) I needed to slide the oil pump away from the crank key to align the dots. This sucked. I needed to loosen the pan bolts and gently pry down on the pan to get the pump free or it would slice the gasket as it slid back.
4) I did not need any new gaskets but I had them so I used them.

The brand new LS7 cam, springs and retainers are available if anyone want to make a deal.

04Yukonxl

Good point, I was assuming an aftermarket crank. What is the bolt size for the LS7 crank?

TPIMarow6.6

iTrader: (8)

How does it run now? what spec cam did you get from katech? i beielve there are 3 choices for the ls7? i know i got the smaller one for mine. and whats the motor in?