obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

So pick up this long block the other day from a guy on craigslist he had it listed as a LQ4 for $600. He said mileage was unknown but it turned over freely. After we get back home we get the motor on the hoist and I notice half the oil pan bolts are missing then I grab the crank pulley and turn it over for about two seconds and clunk! Dropped the pan to find it looking just like this.

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

After taking off the heads we find out that it dropped a exhaust valve which ate the hole piston messed the head up real good even bent a intake valve on the other head bent two pushrods and wrecked the piston beside it.

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

The crank looks fine looks like it needs a sleeve in the one cylinder I already ordered two replacement rods. Im looking for input on what to do to this 6.0 it has the dished fly cut pistons should I replace them with flat tops and go from there?

BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

That right there is how people end up in a drum in the ocean!!!

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

I texted him told him I was bummed out the motor was trashed he never responded which tells me he already knew it was shot. If he lived closer I would have zero issues paying him a visit.

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

My dad is old buddies with a engine build he has a full machine shop he is coming to the house to check this thing out hopefully over the weekend really hoping he can save the L92 heads.

Warnd

Wow, you are a much nicer and better person than me. If I discovered something like that (he clearly knew what he was selling you being that half the oil pan bolts were missing), I would be paying that guy a visit to have some words. I hate people that do that kind of stuff. I got burned on a used t56 so I know the feeling all too well. Good luck with the rebuild and kudos to you for being the better person and taking it in stride.

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

Also was missing 3 main cap bolts makes me wonder about some of the people out there. Finished the tare down today so the few options im looking at are sleeve the one cylinder replace the two dished pistons and have the heads milled if they can be saved or flat tops no mill on heads or bored to 6.2 and use LS3/L92 pistons what would you guys go for?

86White_T/A305

Hard to say..what kind of budget are you looking at.Better yet..whats is the goal of the motor itself..you planning on mild build,boost in its future etc?

Sucks about your luck buying the motor,over here..if I found an 6.0 for $600 i would thin something is wrong.Guys are buying them like crazy and the prices keep going up even at the wreckers.

In all honesty if funding allows,id start with a fresh rotating assembly/stroker kit. but since you got replacement parts on the way already then replace the 2 pistons.try and salvage the heads and work them over with a basic port job,mill them down .030.get a good valvetrain setup and then select a cam.This will be the most budget friendly way to go. really does depend on what you want out of the motor to decide on what parts will get you there.

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

This being my first LS motor that I have had my hands on it will be a mild build no boost cost effective as it can be. That being said I have the funds right now to take the build from a stocker to more on the wildside but also I need to buy about everything to install this in my Camaro all I got is whats in the pics no intake or fuel rail need to delete the VVT need all the brackets on the front plus water pump and starter just to name some stuff. At first I had my eyes on the torque v2 cam but was thinking I want something smaller so I was looking into the hotcam but its pretty tiny.

86White_T/A305

Mild cam in the 226-230 range would be a safe bet. New valve springs and hardened pushrods. Replace the damages valves and mill the heads. I was quite happy with my Lq4 with 243 milled heads and 228r cam for quite awhile.

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

What kind of numbers did it put down? I will be happy with anything over 400whp

86White_T/A305

I made 390whp/400tq with stock ls6 intake/tb/injectors and milled 243 heads.

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

With the main cap bolts missing and the rod cap removed to get the thing to spin over, the seller knew what was up and dumped it. Luckily, the remains are still worth what you paid, so dont loose much sleep

Id sleeve the bad hole and try to get all 8 holes back to 4.000" with a clean up hone. Grab some take out LS2/LQ9 flat tops and a few rods to replace the messed up one/two

DOD delete is easy since the block has to be in for machining. Just drill/tap/plug the holes in the lifter valley. Simple stuff for the shop

Since this is a swap, I highly recommend swapping the crank reluctor from 58x to 24x so you can use the older PCM and a DBC TB. The gauge outputs are easier to work with and it all around makes the swap easier

VVT delete is simple too, replace the cam sprocket/phaser with a non-VVT version and run a LS2 timing cover/sensor ($50-100 ebay)

That head looks like scrap. Id track down a single used head or a new bare head. Indiv heads arent very expensive as most people only want pairs. To fix it would require welding up the chamber, replacing the valve seat, likely the guide too then milling the pair to match. That would far exceed a single replacement head. If this was a custom ported set matched to a specific combo, then Id suggest repair. No way Id fix a stock head that bad

R13_Braz

I'm with Pocket on this one. On my last build, I had a valve drop and take out the piston, and the head looked pretty close to what you had. I ended up just scrapping them because there was no way it was worth trying to repair it.

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

Good solid numbers for sure.

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

I don't think it has the DOD stuff the valley cover was flat? I will be using my holley HP efi on this so the 24x or 58x shouldn't matter to much long as I buy the correct main harness also going with DBC TB for sure. Since im going to have money into the heads one way or another should I upgrade to the LS3 intake valves?

ShiftyCapone

iTrader: (7)

If you are wanting to go the cost effective route, I would find a set of used Gen IV rods and cast .030 over pistons. That's an iron block so its a traditional overbore. Scrap the 317 heads (that one is trash) for some 799/243 castings. If you can't find a usable set that fits your budget, a replacement 317 head that is resurfaced (along with the remaining good one) would be fine for your power goals. The title of this thread is LY6 but you have an LQ4 (6.0 gen III Iron truck motor with cathedral heads). You should already have a 24x reluctor and if the motor is from 2004+ it will/should have the floating Gen IV rods. You can buy LS2 intake manifolds for next to nothing which are similar to the LS6 (perform slightly less unported, but have a 90mm opening). As for cams, I would look at any of the stock GM grinds. You should be able to crack the 400rwhp barrier (or be really close) with an LS7, LS9, or LS6 stock cam. You are still going to spend some money on this motor by the time you balance it, new hardware, gaskets, bearings, etc etc. It might be cheaper to part it out as Pocket mentioned and use the funds to find a different core that can be used as is. The 6.0 is a great platform but you could even get lucky and possibly score a 5.3 L33 (all aluminum with 243 heads). That's something else to consider to remain cost effective.

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

Sorry boss but the block is stamped as a gen IV making one of two motors either the LY6 2007 an up or L96 2010 up there the only two gen IV iron block motors and im pretty sure its the LY6. Also VVT didn't come out till gen IV and you can see the cam phaser on the cam sprocket in the pic above. And no wimpy 317 heads here just some jacked up L92's casted 823.

ShiftyCapone

iTrader: (7)

You are correct and I retract my previous post. I missed that picture which clearly shows an ly6 piston and cam phaser. Not to mention the DOD features in the valley of the block. None the less, I would still keep it simple. Overbore (sonic check should determine if you can go to 4.065). You can swap the reluctor or sell the 58x crank for a gun drilled 24x car crank. 243 heads would still be a great option if you don't open up the bore. A ported cathedral head can make monster power with a fat power band. That might be cheaper than finding a single L92 head. If you do find a head replacement without breaking your budget, a ls3 intake manifold setup is very affordable and can support your power goals with ease.

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

Dropped the block off yesterday getting a sleeve done also took the bad head to have him look at it and give me a price to fix I figured it cant hurt to have him look at it quick and give me price.

stephenscamaro

Bummer man. I absolutely hate craigslist. Too many bad experiences~

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

Should be picking up block and heads in a few days only 150 to fix the bad head. Other head a bent intake valve that broke the guide also getting them milled .025

R13_Braz

Go over that head with a microscope. $150 to fix that chewed up head seems low, but maybe that's just me.

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

Seemed cheap to me to he said they pressure checked it and was good I know he didn't get the cc perfect still might take it to another shop.

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

Back from the shop I got a hole pile of parts sitting hope to get started in the next week or two.

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

Making some head way now. Cam choice was hard but ended up with TSP LS3 stage 1 cam kit also added a rollmaster timing chain. The heads got milled .020, put in LS3 intake valves, 650 springs, rockers got the trunion upgrade, went with cometic .045 head gaskets.

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

Should be a stout little stump puller

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

Slow moving money is getting tight need to get my 350 pulled and sold.

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

GM muscle car oil pan mod. need to get some paint on this block yet.

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

Slow moving build cash is always tight. Picked up LS7 clutch and flywheel bought a LS mid plate and bellhousing and a viper spec input shaft to swap over my lt1 t56 to ls specs.

Heritage Z

iTrader: (4)

Progress is still progress, no matter if its big or small. Just keep moving forward. My car has been sitting for 14-15 years and I've had the LS sitting on the stand for the last 4, but good news is, it and the trans will be in the car before Thanksgiving, still a year or two from being on the road

Just when you think your in a position to make some serious progress, BAM, life manages to create a speed bump (or a mountain). Looks like your going to have a solid car when your done. Keep it up!

92BLKL98

My LQ9 has been sitting on the stand for 18 months. Time and having finances directed into other more pressing areas have slowed my progress. I hope to install it in the chassis tomorrow. We'll see.

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

Thanks for the words Hertage Z, 92blk98 keep them wrenches turning guys!

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

Looks like the old 350 is going do the road this week extra cash yeah baby! On top of that picking up some extra work over the winter so its time to stock pile parts I didnt get as much done to the car as i wanted before winter since its parked outside work is at a stand still. I wanted to weed out the wiring in the bay that will not be used which is a lot and i really hate wiring!

Parts on my wish list, headers hooker or kooks
trans xmember looking at hooker
looking at hooker daul exhaust kit at some point down the road
still need holley efi main harness
complete front accessories
starter
throttle body
and lots of odds and ends for fuel hook up and much more...

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

Been working on my coil harness just hope it turns out ok and works. Im going with LS3 camaro front accessories got water pump, power steering pump/bracket, alt. bracket just need the alternator and belt tensioner yet. Also picked up holley ls2/3 engine harness, holley 52mm t/b, hooker xmember, msd wires got all of that on sale from jegs.

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

Not the best but better then spending $100 on a new set. Loom on the way.

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

Few more goodies showed up not to happy that the t/b came with a stripped screw for the blade but doubt i will ever touch it anyway. 1 7/8 headers yes please didn't come with gaskets also would have figured the header bolts would have been stainless but o well.

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

Still stocking up on parts ready for spring to show up to get this motor dropped in and fired up.

Header gaskets seem like a good fit got these for the same price as GM gaskets.

Fireslash

Spring really does need to show up, tired of playing in the cold myself

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

OK had a few small changes since i was going with hooker headers and planned on there trans mount as well i went with there motor mounts and dual exhaust kit. Mounts installed then moved on to weeding out some old wiring that wasn't needed anymore.

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

Had a small set-back when we tried to mate t56 to motor learned the hard way by installing wrong pilot bearing first one was a LS3 large bearing after some searching i see this happens alot but a LS1 small bearing fixed it right up.

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

The front fenders are getting replaced so started with the front bumper which makes for a little easier motor install.

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

Then this happened fits like a glove driver side header went in so fast it was mind blowing lol passenger side was tighter without starter in took a few wiggles and a bump and was good. Starter was tight going past headers and block but still went up in.

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

After looking at many LSX swaps this is how i ended up mounting my fuel filter. Nothing real fancy used stock bracket just moved it up higher and turned it to give me a better angle for the lines.

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

Starting to come together now.

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

Water pump tapped for steam line hookup.

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

Hoping to get it fired by this weekend just some small odds and ends left and need to run my fuel line to intake yet.

Jaysz28

iTrader: (30)

This is coming together nicely!

I love and hate how you did the steam line mod..... I love it because it is neat and out of sight unless you point it out. Hate it because I didn't think of it! LOL

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

Thanks Jay.

I did get it to startup yesterday have two issues the one is just a small coolant leak at the rear cross over the other was #3 #5 were dead no spark i did move a coil to double check and no change so i ordered two new coil harnesses to be safe. Still need to finish the blackheart exhaust install then hope to get a video up.