I currently have a LO5 roller crate motor in my car. It's about 7 years old and has about 70,000 miles on it. I don't have to add a drop of oil between changes. I have some Iron L98 heads in my garage and a Crane 2032 cam that I would like to install. Would anybody recommend against yanking the motor and putting it on a stand for this work? I plan on having a shop rebuild the heads but I was going to install them myself. I like to take my time with these things and be meticulous so I thought it might not hurt to take the motor out. This would also allow me to do some other things like really clean up my engine bay and possibly paint it, as well as change motor mounts, etc. I'm also 21 with a bad back and lots of bending over the hood isn't very comfortable.

Any other reasons to do this/not to do this? Maybe upgrade rod bolts or something? Good idea?

 

I prefer to do major engine modifications with the engine on a stand. That said, it isnt always the easiest way, but it does allow me to sit down while working. a head swap in-car is fairly easy, the cam however will require you to remove the bumper/rad support.

Depending on what year your LO5 crate motor is you may already have vortec heads (how many intake manifold bolts are there now?). In which case iron L98 would be a slight downgrade.

How many KMs are on the heads? if they are high mileage i would recommend taking them to a shop for a rebuild. Usually high milage heads need atleast a valve job, somtimes new valve guides, and somtimes resurfacing, none of which you can do at home.

-Zander

 

I have 193 swirl port heads.

I know nothing about the heads I have besides they are 083 casting. It seems the engine blew as there is caked aluminum on one of the chambers and they clearly need a "going over".

 

Swirl ports, yuck (no offense to those who enjoy porting the living **** of of 'em). Sounds like a professional rebuilt is required. What cam do you intend to use? Regardless you'll have to replace/upgrade the valve springs to suit it, you might want to add some roller rockers while your at it (i'm not a big fan of the factory stamped stuff).

-Zander

 

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That's a good, moderate cam for a TPI engine, the lift should be within the capabilities of a pair of L98 heads without machining valve guides. Just drop in a pair of cranes recommended springs.

-Zander

 

I'm using that Cam in an LB9 and am happy with it, should work well in a LO5!

Use a good set of Valve Springs and don't use Umbrella Seals. Replace the Oil Sender Unit (they can leak badly), Rear Main Seal, and Pan Gasket as well.

Headers too? I'd at least use a "Gasket Match" technique for the Heads to the Exhaust Manifolds. Though you may not need to actually use Gaskets, they come stock from the factory without them.

Unless you are replacing the Bearings, I think I'd leave the Rod Bolts alone...

 

I've got SLP 1-3/4" headers, full 3" exhaust, 3.42 posi gears, EBL/WBO2 ready to tune, 454 TBI unit in the garage if I need the flow, Delco TPI fuel pump installed...this sucker is ready for a motor. Only thing I'm gonna be on the look-out for is an Edelbrock TBI intake manifold.

Definitely think I'm just going to pull it out. I didn't even think about changing the seals.