How to Build a 5.3L LS LM7 V8 - Part 6: Timing Set and Front Cover!

[@chuckg3517]

Just a note on oil pump install. I prefer removing the front pump cover and aligning the oil pump with the crankshaft before fully tightening the four housing bolts. Anyone interested can easily find an alignment kit with a simple google search. 👍🏼

[@miguellemus8989]

I am following and doing everything you’re doing with my build. It’s my first build ever so I am very grateful for how detailed you are. Thank you can’t wait for the next ep.

[@2carpros]

Awesome! I love reading that, I was really hoping this guide could be a step by step for people. That's why I go so far into detail. Thanks so much for watching!

[@josemesa9675]

How much was total around for your build

[@AllSnipe]

if you dont have an allen key that size you can always use the head of a bolt upside down and lock 2 nuts on the other end and use a socket to turn everything.

[@BlackOpsGarage]

Very happy you were detailed and summit is awesome. Ty

[@spelunkerd]

Excellent series, you put a lot of effort into recording this.

[@2carpros]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@chefzackkasmar6767]

@@2carpros Yes! Really Enjoy it! Thank you!! Im in California. How can I contact you about rebuilt or reman LS engines.

[@kwiz8848]

Using this series to build my l33 one tip I found is use the old cam retainer to keep the cam from falling out the back. Just thread in one bolt. Also if you’re going back with the stock type crankshaft sprocket you can use your old gear to drive the new one on.

[@fredonthecuttzent.8405]

Love your videos man! Make my lm7 so easy to build. Very clear and straight forward content. Thank you!!

[@ProjectDadLife]

Best ls build series! Excellent job man👍🏻

[@2carpros]

So glad you think so! Thanks for watching!

[@jluc155]

Great job ..... keep them uploads coming.... 👍

[@2carpros]

More to come! Thanks for watching Jose!

[@privatedata665]

This guy has Golden communication skills , cool vid too

[@2carpros]

That's so nice of you! Thanks for watching!

[@mattblack133]

THE HAMMER ON THE CRAANNNNKKKK. 😝😝😝

[@robirvine2922]

Your tutorials are Awesome very clear and precise 👍💯

[@2carpros]

Glad to hear that!

[@birdfighter0307]

For a single use large Allen like for the water jacket plug, double nut a hex bolt of the same size, if you have the right size bolt laying around.

[@2carpros]

Yeah that would be a clever work around. Thanks for watching!

[@graywolfcarpentry564]

Thanks for this video. Have a 2003 Silverado 4wd that needs a new oil pump. Thought to replace water pump and timing chain while Iam at it. Truck has roughly 120,000 miles. I didn’t see you deal with the T.C. Tensioner. But you definitely lined me up on what to look for in properly installing the timing chain and oil pump. Going out today for more parts, just about ready to begin this project. Thanks again. You are a competent instructor.

[@2carpros]

Ours didn't have one. I wonder if GM started putting them in at some point? Thanks so much for watching!

[@graywolfcarpentry564]

@@2carpros You know? Once I had the cover off of mine I found out that neither do I. The tensioner was in my part box but I didn’t need it. Thanks

[@shadowopsairman1583]

Only Gen 4 LS have guides/tensioners

[@andymartinez482]

Good shit my boi

[@bellybell542]

Whats wonderful detailed explanatory👍👍👍

[@2carpros]

Thanks for watching!

[@outsidethelines2162]

Very cool!

[@2carpros]

Thanks for watching!

[@hakeemhenderson6119]

Starting my very first build soon and this is extremely helpful but I’m building 450-500hp LS Swap so I hope this will help me

[@2carpros]

Good luck! Thanks for watching!

[@heyitsbryce]

Can’t wait to see the next episode 😭

[@2carpros]

Coming soon! Thanks for watching!

[@danielalfaro4933]

Nice!!! Nice 👍🏽

[@2carpros]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@pmd7771969]

When you use a long socket on a tork wrench it over tightens.

[@2carpros]

That makes no sense if anything it would be slightly and I mean SLIGHTLY under but okay. Thanks for watching!

[@socialjusticewarrior9601]

Wrong. Your same thinking would mean a deep well socket has an effect on torquing over a standard shallow socket.

[@jayceecombs6887]

Clean work! Excellemt tutorial! J

[@2carpros]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@nickma71]

The back of your 1 5/8 socket looks like mine. Many hammer marks through the years. The interesting thing is putting 20 tons of force when using it on a press is there are no marks.

[@alexz6807]

With the timing marks aligned what position was TDC at?

[@dustinwooten3798]

Normally see people put RTV sealant in the corners where the timing cover and oil pan meet up to help with oil leaks.

[@2carpros]

I did on the pan. Thanks for watching!

[@scottieprimes5123]

Last I seen the timing was still off by a tooth, did you turn it until it was lined up or did you leave it like it was

[@2carpros]

It was lined up in person, the camera isn't great for showing it. I left it how I showed in the video and it ran great on the dyno. Thanks for watching!

[@xposethatruth1682]

Good series btw.

[@HuskyCustoms]

I usually use a hockey puck to put the seal on, works every time 😂

[@2carpros]

Genius! Thanks for watching!

[@smgsmgsmgsmg_]

this may be a very dumb question but, the camshaft that you have calls for +3 timing advance. Why didn't you advance the wheel on the camshaft side (+3) when installing the timing set? Are the two completely unrelated?

[@2carpros]

Oooo good question! I actually called Summit for that and basically it has +3 built in when the cam is straight up. Thanks for watching!

[@smgsmgsmgsmg_]

@@2carpros aahh I see, thank you! Btw, this video series is so good. It's literally what made me take the leap of faith and start my 5.3 build 🙏

[@joepalello722]

A+ job

[@2carpros]

A+ comment! Thanks for watching!

[@krisrawk1817]

Thank you for this video. It helped me

[@2carpros]

You're welcome! Thanks so much for watching!

[@falaqr3dd153]

i justy installed a new timing chain and when I torque it down to spec the crankshaft does not move at all and the chain doesn't move, I also have the stock sprocket, any ideas? I have a 2002 6.0 lq4.

[@2carpros]

Are the heads and plugs on it? That would make it tough to turn. Otherwise make sure you have the correct thrust plate for your camshaft. Thanks for watching!

[@luipulido4571]

Just ordered a motor from eBay, bouta build this bad boy😈

[@2carpros]

Nice work! Have fun! Thanks for watching!

[@tomward3453]

Timing cover should be centered with proper alignment tool or since seal is already in the cover you can use the balancer for concentricity then adjust rotation to square up oil pan mating surface.

[@josephdailey7775]

Love the detail in these videos. I've seen in another video, they took apart the new oil pump and gapped it with a gauge set. What was the reasoning for that and not doing so in your video?

[@2carpros]

Thank you so much! No clue why you would do that. I can't really see how or why you would want to change that.

[@josephdailey7775]

Thank you for the input

[@coolboarderm]

Looks like something smooshed up under the heads of the oil pump bolts. Did you add loctite or something?

[@2carpros]

Came new with some form of loctite. Thanks for watching!

[@zu1502]

Hey brother I recently did the lifters on my 2008 Chevy Tahoe but now the car starts fine sounds fine and park but when I go ahead and engage drive or reverse does not want to drive at all it stalls out in reverse and it revs high and drive and then ends up stalling

[@2carpros]

I don't think lifters are your problem there, especially if you used quality GM lifters. Seems like you might have forgotten to plug something back in or the torque converter has gone bad. Those are my two guesses. Thanks for watching!

[@adonaysalinas6323]

Porque la cadena queda holgada ? ¿Es normal? Yo estoy armando un motor 5.3 y me queda igual, no utiliza tensor para la cadena ⛓️

[@rruby0528]

When installing the oil pump are you supposed to put a shim between the crankshaft or does it not make a difference?

[@2carpros]

No shim needed. Thanks for watching!

[@mu9627]

If your using a double row timing set, iirc.

[@richardeddings7259]

Did you ever get it running im about to install my harmonic balancer and didn't use the alignment tool and worried about leaks from front seal. Did yours leak at all

[@2carpros]

Yeah ran on the Dyno and it's in a Bel Air right now running and driving! Nope not a drop. Thanks for watching!

[@fuelinjectedduck2964]

When putting the timing cover on while the oil pan is already installed.. do you tighten the pan bolts or cover bolts first?

[@2carpros]

Cover bolts first! Thanks for watching!

[@thedobermangang3503]

got a question for u my brother....i got 1990 k5 blazer 5.7 just got the enging rebuild still have the swirl port heads on it and its pretty mush stock i have high perfomace intake im eliminating the computing trying to make my mine up if im going to go with a carb or some efi sniper..i have 700r4 trans and 4.10 gears and up graded my torque convert to a 2000 to 2400 stall ..it has a up grade cam in it howard cams ratter 188005-09 lift .525/530 and duration .050 ; 227/235 centerline 103 i want to no is that a good cam to go with them swirl port heads and would i be able to hear the cam..i dont no to mush about cams..i no the vortec or aluminum heads would have been better but the engine was already build already..i do have headers 3 inche pipes all the way back

[@2carpros]

Yeah I'd use that, looks like a high performance street application which is what most of us are looking for. You could go even bigger on the cam if you wanted because of your upgraded converter. Check out this awesome article Summit Racing has help.summitracing.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4698/~/what-camshaft-should-i-buy%3F Thanks for watching!

[@Aaron86v]

Been trying to narrow down oil leaks on my 4.8L and noticed an oil leak coming from one of the plug areas on the passenger rear side, i never understood what it was until this video. Is leaks from here common? And if i take it out, will oil spill out from it?

[@ЭмильХаррасов]

It was so interesting )

[@2carpros]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@zachburton2422]

What size Allen wrench did you use on that brass water jacket plug?

[@2carpros]

That's a 17mm. Thanks for watching!

[@AlienRestoMod]

Great video. Have a question about degree timing for your camshaft. I noticed in this video you just lined up the dots on the wheels and installed. Is doing the degree camshaft necessary?

[@2carpros]

If you want to squeeze every last drop of power out of your engine yes. Every professional race engine builders say it's essential. But for most people building an engine in their garage for fun I don't think it's necessary. Thanks for watching!

[@chieftain3588]

@2CarPros i followed your steps putting this timing gear on. tried starting the car and its acting like the timing is off, is there a way to tell its 180 degrees out of rotation?

[@2carpros]

Were the two dots lined up? Because if so it's impossible to be 180 out. Thanks for watching!

[@chieftain3588]

@@2carpros yeah, 2 dots were lined up/ cam at 6pm, and crank at noon, key was in 2 o'clock position. Would you know what else would cause a backfire, fuel and sparks to shoot from carb, smoke from exhaust and no start? rebuilt as stock. msd LS ignition box, no computer. Thanks

[@2carpros]

@@chieftain3588 Then it's right. My gut says it's the box having a problem. That can happen even brand new out of the box.

[@chieftain3588]

@@2carpros does it matter if the tdc is on compression stroke or exhaust?

[@nwmod39]

Over lubrication is under rated

[@brandonmaster7060]

How do you know you're not 180° out with heads off?

[@brandonmaster7060]

Yeah I'm wondering the same thing because I did this exact and it won't start and I'm thinking I'm 180 out because of this asshole

[@cristianortega8958]

Is the link to the 10mm bolts for the oil pump in the description I don’t know if I looked over it or it isn’t there

[@2carpros]

Its right here: www.summitracing.com/parts/icb-551725/make/chevrolet Thanks for watching!

[@KazDolla1]

So I watched all your videos for my lm7 build. I followed all directions. I tried to start my motor but couldn't get it to start. So I decided to go through everything and kind of pin point where I screwed. As of now I'm assuming it has something to do with my timing or bad reluctor wheel. After watching several videos from other builder I can't recall whether or not Cylinder 1 was top dead center. watching your video again I noticed that cylinder 1 was top dead center but you didn't mention it. My question to you is, is there a way to check without completely dis assembling the motor or atleast without removing the head?

[@2carpros]

Pretty sure I said 1 has to be a TDC when you put the timing set on. Yeah, you can just take the spark plug out of #1 and turn the engine over with your finger over the plug well. You'll feel a blast of air that's the compression stroke. Then look in there and keep turning the engine over until it's at the top of its range of movement. That's what you're looking for. Thanks for watching!

[@KazDolla1]

​@@2carpros thanks I went ahead and did that cylinder 1 was all the way up. thanks again

[@MattGiff-fy4ls]

Nice video. Just me personally I just wouldn’t put anything on that seal. Should go on completely dry just like the rear seal.

[@thedobermangang3503]

thanks alot my brother I APPRECIATE IT ......i didnt no i could go with a bigger cam with them heads i just want a nice cam sound .i havent started the engine up yet so i dont no what that cam would sound like im hoping to install it this week..you no i have had a bad night- mare with the computer and that tbi up and grading it getting someone to burn a custom my chip ..buying injector spacer tbi spacer i could never get my fuel and timing right i had a ping knox and its hard when someone burning a chip and they in another state and they dont have a data log nothing to go on ..and you cant find to many people that do obd1..so i had to go another rout..i shoild have did this at frist...my buddy rebuld it and he mess up so i took my engine out twice the second time i think i flooded the cylinders out ...everything is all redone now...sence im eliminating the computer i hope every thing works out okay ..if i had the time and money i would love to put a LS IN THERE.

[@crash41899]

My 5.3 has a timing chain tensioner I did not see one on yours., Mine is a 2008 LH6 what year is your block

[@2carpros]

Right, this is an LM7 so it is a little older than your engine. But it is mostly the same. Thanks for watching!

[@scottieprimes5123]

Well it was like half a tooth but does it matter that it is not lined up perfect or does the dots need to be exact if so how?

[@2carpros]

If it's off it will be off by a lot. You can degree the cam if you really want to nail it. Thanks for watching!

[@MintMonte87ACSS312]

Do you have to pull the oil pan to change the camshaft and timing?

[@2carpros]

No, you just need to unbolt it from the timing cover. Thanks for watching!

[@MintMonte87ACSS312]

@@2carpros I very much appreciate hearing back from you. I’m doing my first ever cam this weekend on my Silverado including the afm delete. Any advice you’d give someone for the job? I’m mechanically inclined but have never been this deep in a LS.

[@deadsiri-ous4534]

Question, Can I reuse my stock oil pump bolt's? Also what about my stock timing cover bolts?

[@2carpros]

You sure can! I just get particular when building a new engine. I like everything to be new. Thanks for watching!

[@AlienRestoMod]

Question: I'm building a ls1 5.3 swap in my 69 camaro. New coils, injectors, all new sensors. Runs but backfires then dies. The vats have been removed. Engine: 03 5.3l l59 . The engine did run for over 10 minutes then died and 3 cylinders ran really hot, the others seemed not to get hot at all. That's the back story. At this point I think it's the timing. Conflicting information about what position the dots on the cam sprocket and the crank sprocket should be for TDC. I initially did the cam at 6 o'clock and crank at 12 o'clock but I'm not sure the 1 piston was st TDC. People have said the cam and the crank need to be at the 12 o'clock so the 1 piston is between the compression and power stroke. I know it's a lot but I'm getting desperate. Can you help?

[@2carpros]

Yeah I would definitely go back and change the cam sprocket so the dots line up on TDC #1. Try that out and see if that helps! Thanks for watching!

[@danielbm7423]

Excuse and how to set on a right place a valve if I lost the position on a camshaft?

[@harroldsmith3235]

I've known some ex GM guys at my work, they told me to put two shims sideways on the oil pump, it apparently keeps the alignment. Working on my own project video is helpful, not sure if this is one of those wisetales that aren't actually helpful, takes a couple extra minutes so I did it

[@2carpros]

I have never heard that. Can't say one way or an other if that would help. Thanks for watching!

[@gbsgarage]

Yes. You should always shim the pump, for proper clearance to center it up, before torquing down.

[@vans1107]

@@gbsgarage did this with mine as well which requires pulling the front cover of the pump off...I've also heard rotating the crank a half turn at a time while tightening the oil pump bolts down works also

[@expatconn7242]

Broham this is the only vid I have seen with that 41/64 expansion plug

[@2carpros]

I try to leave nothing out! Thanks for watching!

[@davesperformance88]

There wasn't shims that went on the cam gear the small hole?

[@2carpros]

Awesome! Thanks for watching!

[@areuaware6842]

Seems a lot of folks change the oil pumps in LS engines, is there a problem with the original factory pumps?

[@2carpros]

Not really, but when you are spinning 7200 rpm way above factory spec you just want to make sure you are getting great oil pressure. Thanks for watching!

[@areuaware6842]

@@2carpros , Thanks for the reply. I'm pulling the 5.3 out of my truck because it's leaking oil from every orifice and gasket and thinking about replacing some of these things like the timing set and oil pump preemptively.

[@2carpros]

@@areuaware6842 Yeah that's a good idea! Thanks for watching!

[@diduck6878]

How much did that timming gear cool off while he was explaining things

[@2carpros]

Not much. It was pretty warm. Thanks for watching!

[@handyishrandyish334]

Rtv on the seal will that cause any problems down the road

[@2carpros]

Nope. Thanks for watching!

[@slurp3711]

so there's no timing tensioners because i have a 1999 silverado 1500 with the 4.8L and i don't think it's the same engine

[@2carpros]

It is the same block only the crank is different. Thanks for watching!

[@joyfulliving6567]

Can you do the same on a 4.8 L v8 or the steps are different?

[@2carpros]

It's exactly the same. Thanks for watching!

[@BigGixx23]

Yay, the Big Block is coming back!!!!

[@2carpros]

Oh it's coming back hopefully this Saturday! Thanks for watching!

[@irvingbar4569]

I replaced my camshaft and crankshaft sprocket on my 5.3 ls and installed a new chain is it normal to have some slack on the chain

[@2carpros]

Yeah a bit but not too much. There really shouldn't be anymore than I had in the video for a brand new chain. Thanks for watching!

[@mu9627]

​@2carpros use a Rollmaster, IWIS red series set. Snug, no slack. Rechecked mine while doing oil pan gasket after 50k miles, still snug. Why cam maker put 3 degrees advance in cam to counter chain slack. My stock set up with Rollmaster, picked up bottom end a noticeable amount. Not a torque monster, it's stock, yet improved.

[@davidbell4694]

Hey I need help with my Chevy suburban is making a tick noise

[@2carpros]

You can submit a question for free on our website 2carpros.com thanks for watching!

[@justinw523]

12:00 have to align the oil pump first, one method is using 2 feeler gauges that are .002". Good video but man sponsored people always have the best garages and cameras plus they talk like the guys on Horsepower TV LOL

[@2carpros]

So the block or the pump isn't machined correctly? And how would you change that? I've never had that problem before and I've built loads of these. I had this garage way before I was sponsored. This was a 1000 sqft building in one of the worst areas of Anaheim. Also my camera back then was just my phone or an old Canon I had. Network TV people are on script so that's why they all kinda sound the same. I do this off the top of my head and is just how the creator made me. Thanks for watching!

[@lvg773]

What are bolt size for trimming chain cover

[@martinmoya648]

What lube do you use for timing chain and camshaft?

[@2carpros]

Synthetic oil for the chain. Permatex Ultra Slick for the cam. Thanks for watching!

[@anthonyjorge126]

Crankshaft sprocket in oven for 200 how many in minutes to take out of oven sir ?

[@2carpros]

Like 5 minutes maybe a bit more. You don't want it so hot that it is dangerous or too hot to handle with an oven glove. But it needs to be hot enough to expand a little bit. I use a laser thermometer to test the heat and take it out when it hits 145F or so. Thanks for watching Anthony!

[@kennedywong9854]

If cylinder head on block, how do I know if number 1 piston on TDC?

[@2carpros]

Put your finger over the sparkplug well and turn the engine over. When you feel a blast of air come up you know its coming up on the compression stroke. Then you can look in there with a flashlight and slowly keep turning the engine until you see it come all the way up. Thanks for watching!

[@majidsubhi9948]

I have P0016 after engine rebuild, what is the issue

[@2carpros]

Crankshaft positioning sensor is either bad or you put the wrong reluctor on during the build. Thanks for watching!

[@odiarroyo6144]

How tight the change has to be And how to adjust the timing?

[@2carpros]

Should have the same tightness as in the video. You can adjust the cam timing by advancing or retarding the cam in relation to the crank. Thanks for watching!

[@samirabrams5642]

What timing chain set did you get?

[@gbodyjake4354]

Hey man, love your series btw. I’m building an LM7, after watching how you installed the timing cover I’m relieved. Have you had any problems with any leaks by doing it that way? Thanks in advance

[@2carpros]

Hey thanks for watching Jake! No it seems good.

[@gbodyjake4354]

@@2carpros cool. Thanks man. I went ahead and bought the alignment tool the other night

[@HapaHeritage]

Why did you skip shimming the oil pump on install?

[@2carpros]

It lined up great and made 59 pounds of oil pressure throughout it's dyno run so I think we are good. Thanks for watching!

[@petejoseph8257]

You could be off by a few degrees doing it that way.....the cam card gives an intake centerline for a reason, Mr Narrator

[@2carpros]

No, if you line the two dots up they are in time. Either they are right or they are off one tooth and it is obvious. The +3 degree on the cam card is built right into the grind. I know I called the cam company just to make sure.

[@petejoseph8257]

@@2carpros Wrong, cam intake center line should be verified

[@1971cee]

Hello what is the part number for your timing chain set

[@2carpros]

In the description, but I have the link right here for you www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g6640 thanks for watching!

[@silia_love_leah_hash3093]

👍

[@matthewwhaley6476]

Timing chain tensioner?

[@2carpros]

Not on this model. Thanks for watching!

[@izakwasserman2887]

summit reboxes items that is actually a melling m295 oil pump

[@2carpros]

Works great! Thanks for watching!

[@paulbeckett1256]

I thought it looked like a Melling pump.

[@davidbaca6372]

“Don’t go crazy” proceeds to beat it in 😂

[@2carpros]

Imagine if you did go crazy! Thanks for watching!

[@Иван-о3ъ6ь]

lm7 don't have a timing chain tensioner?

[@2carpros]

It does not. Thanks for watching!

[@Antiquat3d]

Doesn't, using a extension change your torque specs? Longer the extension the lesser the torque.

[@2carpros]

Not by a crazy amount. I doubt you could even measure it with out very expensive machines. Thanks for watching!

[@xposethatruth1682]

I’m sure someone already said it but I’ll say it again. If you don’t have an Allen wrench big enough, a bolt head will work. Double nut the threads to put a wrench or socket on, and stick the bolt head in where the Allen wrench would go. Save yourself money on something you’ll only use once or twice.

[@2carpros]

I can't recommend that just because it isn't the technically correct way. But hey if it works it works. Thanks for watching!

[@EnriqueMartinez-ix5dv]

What about the chain tension

[@2carpros]

What about it? Thanks for watching!

[@dcs-motorsport]

You are a god lol

[@2carpros]

Thanks for watching!

[@coreykallmbah7580]

Nice video but you left out clearencing the oil pump gear with the drive

[@2carpros]

Why would I clearance it, if it fit flush with the block to deliver oil pressure?

[@josboileau]

Oil pump not installed correctly !!

[@2carpros]

Yes it is. Thanks for watching!

[@LSXperts72]

This guy really socked the chain in oil lmaoo

[@2carpros]

Yes soaking the chain in oil ensures lubrication. Thanks for watching!

[@quinterod1000]

Why not blue lock tight instead of red

[@2carpros]

Red is designed for thicker threads. Thanks for watching!

[@salvadorgutierrezr5914]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@2carpros]

Thanks for watching Salvador!

[@billtokar644]

Pascal's law is figureing out how much liquid compresses

[@2carpros]

In simple terms you can't compress a liquid. That's why hydraulics work. You can put it under pressure though. Thanks for watching!

[@runninitup4L]

23:19 if IKEA made cars

[@lsu614]

Won’t buy a $50 timing cover but will buy $100 bolts 😂

[@2carpros]

Actually they were free for me. Thanks for watching!

[@shadowopsairman1583]

I would not use mobile 1 oil