Tony’s express van engine upgrade/swap

[Tonyrodz]

If you drag your fingernail inside of the bearing, do you feel any scoring? I think that brown color might be from oil. If I'm wrong someone please correct me.
The bearing that's missing--it wasn't there at all?

 

[SpareParts]

Not seeing anything horrible that would stop me from cleaning it up and freshening it up with some new parts.

Here is a pic of trashed cam bearings and scuffed pistons.

 

[Tonyv__]

If you drag your fingernail inside of the bearing, do you feel any scoring? I think that brown color might be from oil. If I'm wrong someone please correct me.
The bearing that's missing--it wasn't there at all?

I had a feeling I should have rephrased that. the bearing was there, it’s prob on my garage floor somewhere now.

No deep scratches. Just the discoloration

 

[Tonyv__]

After some more reading. It seems that the L96 is already equipped with a pretty good cam for torque. My money would be better spent, re gearing the rear axle.

Wondering what I should be looking for to deem this cam reusable or not. There’s some scratches on the 2nd bearing area that I’m not thrilled about.

 

[strutaeng]

So you have a micrometer to check the journals? You check that against the specs, but I agree the scoring does not look good.

Where any of the cam bearings spun?

 

[Tonyv__]

So you have a micrometer to check the journals? You check that against the specs, but I agree the scoring does not look good.

Where any of the cam bearings spun?

I don’t have one. I can probably order one.

I didn’t notice if any of the bearings were spun. Yeah I know, minimal help lol

 

[strutaeng]

I don’t have one. I can probably order one.

I didn’t notice if any of the bearings were spun. Yeah I know, minimal help lol

You can always order a GM OEM replacement. Rockauto should carry them.

 

[SpareParts]

Don't use GM cam bearings. Use Durabond CH-25 if i remember right.

 

[pwtr02ss]

Nice progress. All LS cam bearings Ive seen have looked like that. I did a cam swap on my camaro after 2500 miles and they looked all worn weird. I think it the nature of the beast.

Ive been told doing cam bearings on an LS is a PITA, so I just had the machine shop do them on all the ones I've replaced. I can't remember what they charge but it was cheap enough.

 

[SpareParts]

Nice progress. All LS cam bearings Ive seen have looked like that. I did a cam swap on my camaro after 2500 miles and they looked all worn weird. I think it the nature of the beast.

Ive been told doing cam bearings on an LS is a PITA, so I just had the machine shop do them on all the ones I've replaced. I can't remember what they charge but it was cheap enough.

Na. They are no more difficult than a SBC engine. Pretty easy actually. Just need to make sure you have them in the right position before installing them.

 

[Tonyv__]

Just need to make sure you have them in the right position before installing them.

Emphasis on that.

I Already ruined a bearing lol

I got 4 installed at this point, just need to see if the manufacturer will sell me the one bearing for the front of the engine or if I need to order another set.

I got pretty discouraged at that point, but I’m pushing through it.

 

[SpareParts]

Don't blame yourself. The universal installer is not exactly your friend. You can buy singles. What bearings did you go with?

 

[strutaeng]

Yeah, I have done 2 engines, and the first time took maybe 1 hour if not more. But the next time, probably did it in 20 minutes.

Having the engine on a table or something sturdy at comfortable height and accessible on both sides is important. I put a sharpie marking on the cam, so I can "clock" it correctly into the lubrication slot. Summit sells some alignment tool, but I don't think you really need that. Just install the end cams driven from the other side of the engine, and that helps keeping alignment (like aiming using a rifle) and really, the cone centers and registers concentrically at the other end. And that way you are not overreaching, swinging your mallet at an uncomfortable position. You can't do that with the engine on a stand, that's why I suggest a sturdy table for this operation.

Pardon Our Interruption

Pardon Our Interruption

A hefty mallet/dead blow it also a must IMO.

 

[Tonyv__]

Don't blame yourself. The universal installer is not exactly your friend. You can buy singles. What bearings did you go with?

Well it wasn’t the tool, the tool actually worked pretty well. it was me thinking that they were all the same size…. I tried to ram the 5 bearing into position 2 lol

I ended up using a brand called enginetech on rockauto. I’ve use alot of their stuff before and the quality seems to be good.

 

[Tonyv__]

Yeah, I have done 2 engines, and the first time took maybe 1 hour if not more. But the next time, probably did it in 20 minutes.

Having the engine on a table or something sturdy at comfortable height and accessible on both sides is important. I put a sharpie marking on the cam, so I can "clock" it correctly into the lubrication slot. Summit sells some alignment tool, but I don't think you really need that. Just install the end cams driven from the other side of the engine, and that helps keeping alignment (like aiming using a rifle) and really, the cone centers and registers concentrically at the other end. And that way you are not overreaching, swinging your mallet at an uncomfortable position. You can't do that with the engine on a stand, that's why I suggest a sturdy table for this operation.

Pardon Our Interruption

Pardon Our Interruption

A hefty mallet/dead blow it also a must IMO.

That’s the tool I used. The mistake I made was from inexperience, not the tool lol

 

[Tonyv__]

Pretty bummed out to be typing this. I think I have accepted that I just don’t have the time to dedicate, patience, skill, or proper tools to rebuild engines to this depth.

I made a couple whoopsies tonight when I was reinstalling the pistons. When I started to torque down the connecting rod caps at some point I realized I couldn’t turn the crank anymore. Wasn’t sure if this was just because of new bearings and pistons rings but google told me something was wrong so i started unbolting the rod caps. Found one of the connection rod bearings weren’t seated properly and now I damaged that bearing. Also between taking the cap off and on again I somehow scratched up the crank.

Idk how severe that is but everything I read online is pretty much “if it isn’t perfect, then it needs to be replaced” blah blah blah

Last but not Least. I somehow mixed up the caps and also found out that that’s a big no no. Once you torque down the wrong cap, it’s damaged? So I’m looking at new connecting rods now I guess


All in all I have some decisions to make

- call around to see how much to have this rebuilt professionally

- fork out the money for a long block , maybe a short block since I have the heads

- find a low mile drop in

- just rebuild the top end of my existing 4.8 and call it a day. (Although I’m still concerned that I have a rear main seal leak)




I will continue to update this thread but I think for now I’m throwing the towel in on this block.

 

[Tahoe14]

Damn that sucks, when it rains it pours. Hope you get it all sorted out.

 

[Tonyv__]

Damn that sucks, when it rains it pours. Hope you get it all sorted out.

I definitely will make something happen.

The more I dwell on it I just realize I don’t have the time to dedicate to such a project. Engine building is definitely a skill/craft and nothing to be rushed.

Meanwhile I’m not getting out to the garage till 10pm or later knowing damn well I have to be up at 6am for work lol. So yeah I bit off more than I could chew on this

 

[Tonyrodz]

I definitely will make something happen.

The more I dwell on it I just realize I don’t have the time to dedicate to such a project. Engine building is definitely a skill/craft and nothing to be rushed.

Meanwhile I’m not getting out to the garage till 10pm or later knowing damn well I have to be up at 6am for work lol. So yeah I bit off more than I could chew on this

Maybe just work on it during the weekends.

 

[Tonyv__]

Maybe just work on it during the weekends.

I think you’re forgetting I have young kids. Dad doesn’t get much free time lol.