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With the increasing popularity of GM’s LS-series engine family, many enthusiasts are ready to rebuild. How to Rebuild GM LS-Series Engines is the first book of its kind to help you rebuild your GM LS-series engine. It explains variations between the various LS-series engines and elaborates upon the features that make this engine family such an excellent design.
In this special Workbench book, author Chris Werner uses more than 600 photos, charts, and illustrations to give simple step-by-step instructions on disassembly, cleaning, machining tips, pre-assembly fitting, and final assembly. This book gives considerations for both stock and performance rebuilds. The book guides you through both the easy and tricky procedures, showing you how to rebuild your engine and ensure it is working perfectly. The book also illustrates many of the performance components, accessories, and upgrades that have been developed for the LS-series family of engines.
As with all Workbench titles, this book details and highlights special components, tools, chemicals, and other accessories needed to get the job done right, the first time. Appendices are packed full of valuable reference information including helpful conversions and common abbreviations. You’ll even find tips that will help you save money without compromising top-notch results.
From the Publisher
The LS Series Engines from GM have never been more popular, in both OE applications and in the robust engine swapping aftermarket. These engines were first produced over 20 years ago, and as such, there are many cores out there just waiting to be given new life.
How to Rebuild GM LS-Series Engines will provide step-by-step instructions on disassembly, diagnosis and inspection, cleaning, machining tips, pre-assembly fitting, final assembly and break-in/tuning. This book guides you through both the simple and more difficult procedures, showing you how to rebuild your engine and ensure it performs flawlessly for years to come.
LS Engine History
The original Gen III, the LS1. All subsequent small-blocks draw their roots from this engine. Though features like a cam-in-block, pushrod architecture, and the 4.4-inch bore spacing of the original Gen I were retained, virtually nothing else was. This means that as good as the older small-blocks were, this new engine design offered reliability and power potential above and beyond those previously possible. (Illustration courtesy of General Motors)
Recommended Tools
Torque angle gauge: Some of GM’s fastener tightening specifications used on the LS involve the torque-plus-angle method (for example, 15 ft-lbs plus 51 degrees—that’s not something you want to “eye up”!). Unless you’re using aftermarket fasteners exclusively, you will need a torque angle gauge.
Disassembly
Once unbolted, many Gen III/IV cylinder heads come off easily, but this could also be a slight challenge if the head gaskets have adhered to the block and head surfaces (particularly true of earlier-style, graphite-layered gaskets). Taps from different directions with a rubber hammer can help dislodge the heads. Another technique is to use a hammer shaft in an intake port; just pull it toward you and it should lift the head off. Label which head was which, and carefully set them aside on a soft surface (such as wood blocks) so as not to scratch or otherwise damage their deck surfaces.
Parts Inspection and Selection
Many crankshafts will exhibit little, if any, visible wear on the journals. However, wear can be significant on cranks with a lot of miles or from an engine with a poor maintenance record. This one is particularly bad off as it even has bearing material embedded in it. This crank could still be salvageable; even though GM does not recommend grinding its cranks, many engine machinists will tell you this is baloney. You’ll need to have a machine shop take a look at a crank like this to determine whether it’s toast.
The Machine Shop
The type of machine shop you’ll need to find is not the one turning brake drums at the back of your local auto parts store. An automotive engine machine shop is a highly specialized kind of establishment. Such a business has the trained expertise and precision equipment needed to refurbish the engine parts you may be reusing in your project, as well as perform any work that may be necessary on new parts you have purchased. A machine shop can also be a valuable resource for information, and will be happy to guide you through any step in a rebuild that you’re not sure of— whether it be assisting you in parts selection, or giving you advice on running clearances. Consider the machine shop your partner for your rebuild project!
Component Cleaning & Preparation
Don’t just install your engine components right out of the box! Whether you’re talking about new parts, or parts that have been refurbished by your machine shop, they are almost never intended to be installed right away. One dirty item can contaminate your entire engine!
Pre-Assembly
Install the #1 and #2 rods on the forwardmost crank journal, this time lubricating both the bearing surfaces and the journal. Tighten the rod bolts to spec, noting that there is no need to keep the rods from twisting on the journal this time around. Using a feeler gauge, measure the clearance between the connecting rods. Rod side clearance should be 0.0043 to 0.020 inches for stock steel or titanium rods.
Final Assembly
The most exciting time of the engine build is now upon you, as all of your shiny new or refurbished parts will come together to make what you’ve been dreaming of: a fresh LS engine! Don’t let the adrenaline get the better of you, though: follow the below steps carefully (and in order) to ensure you don’t make any mistakes.
Engine Reinstallation
Reinstallation of your engine will take some time and care, but one bit of good news is that it shouldn’t be nearly as messy as during removal, since you won’t be draining any fluids! In addition to the wiring harness, exhaust piping, cooling system hoses, fuel lines, emissions hoses, and all other engine-related systems, be sure to reconnect any brake, power steering, and A/C lines you may have disconnected during engine removal.
Publisher : CarTech (May 14, 2008)
Language : English
Paperback : 152 pages
ISBN-10 : 193249460X
ISBN-13 : 978-1932494600
Item Weight : 1.26 pounds
Dimensions : 8.5 x 0.38 x 11 inches
Customers say
Customers find the book has decent information and the text is readable and fairly thorough. They also appreciate the step-by-step instructions and torque specs. Readers also appreciate that the book provides good pictures and details.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
