Ls9 Nightmare Ep #6 : Checking clearance and Filling Rings

In this episode we check the bearing clearance and fit the rings and start on the cylinder heads.
Powellmachineinc.com

[@thekingscene]

My dad passed away today and I just wanted to let you know he enjoyed watching your videos more than anyone else. He thought you were one of the best machinist on YT. Keep up the good work man

[@slickazzrider]

My condolences, I agree with your dad! Love the channel.

[@JAMESWUERTELE]

I’m sorry your Dad passed away.

[@jessicawatson-english5505]

My condolences to you and your family

[@Final_Boss_Racing]

Hope he rest in peace.

[@r1ckgrimes97]

Sorry for your loss man

[@lazyhoundracing9621]

I'm learning so much I'll be able to work for you soon. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos.

[@powellmachineinc3179]

Well, I need help!

[@TheSdav86]

​@@powellmachineinc3179if i was in your area I'd gladly offer to come help. I miss working in a machine shop.

[@johnroche4110]

Hey get in line ! We may need a roster. 🤣

[@dantwomey]

Just a great 'down to earth' explanation!

[@powellmachineinc3179]

Ty!

[@henrybobswillikers]

Another good vid Bro, thanks.

[@powellmachineinc3179]

You bet

[@kennethward3354]

Thanks for Todays lesson Professor

[@powellmachineinc3179]

You are very welcome

[@mikefoley7561]

I forgot to add that I have 2.4L KIA in my shop that I, have disassembled, and you can barely tell where the steal sleeve is in the bore. Where they chamfered the cylinder bore is where the sleeve meets the aluminum. I cannot believe they sell .25,.50 and .75mm over pistons for this engine. There wouldn't be anything left of the cylinder. oh well. I love the ring grinder you have. Bad ass.

[@powellmachineinc3179]

Ty!

[@richardkleinschmidt2343]

Your shop is always clean and neat. People in your videos are always clean and neat. Your work is always orderly and careful. You should be proud of your shop and the work you accomplish. I enjoy watching you videos. Thanks for all you do.

[@powellmachineinc3179]

Ty, I really appreciate you!!, yeah we definitely try to always have a clean work environment

[@ericstalker7973]

I was just watching your ring grinding video. I'm with you on the fact that it's not making or breaking the engine rebuild (unless they are gapped way tight) but I'm surprised your little ring grinder doesn't have a coolant pump especially for them stainless steel rings. I don't know but it doesn't sound like a bad idea to have. Sure would help you to feel better on not getting the ring ends to hot

[@logancarter2134]

Another fantastic episode! Your attention to detail is impressive and your common sense approach to what is/isn't really important is refreshing.

[@powellmachineinc3179]

Thank you very much!

[@Expedition18]

Awesome video👍

[@powellmachineinc3179]

Thank you

[@chrisprice4420]

😊 Getting a great education from your videos!

[@powellmachineinc3179]

Glad to hear it!

[@iwagsz]

I just ran across your channel and have viewed a couple of your videos so far. I'm retired now but I started off as a tool maker , machine builder, plastic injection mold maker , designer and engineer over the years. I have never seen an automotive machine shop before and I am enjoying watching you do this engine machining and building. I will be tuning in from now on.

[@powellmachineinc3179]

Welcome aboard!

[@daleyahnke7215]

Awesome content!!! Always look forward to your videos!! wish I lived closer to come make some chips !! Thanks for sharing!

[@powellmachineinc3179]

Maybe one day!

[@MrThomasfouraker]

I’d like a video that might touch on your workout, diet and fitness history.

[@derekbridgerii2102]

I'd like a video of yours....❤❤❤

[@jeffreyverry8467]

I Love your Content. Be careful with the Eyeballs.. I watch JMZ as well. You guys are true professionals! Stay Cool.

[@powellmachineinc3179]

Thank you! Will do!

[@Doc_Fischer]

Watching this last video of you here at UNC Hillsboro physical therapy department . I finally leave here tomorrow after being in the hospital since September with heart surgery. It makes surely miss the machinists part of my life . Finally going home tomorrow so hopefully within a month I’ll be getting around a lot better and be calling you guys for a cam and accessories in my Magnum build . Thank you for keeping us intrigued!

[@powellmachineinc3179]

The heart is no joke, hopefully you make a full recovery!! Keep us informed!

[@Doc_Fischer]

@@powellmachineinc3179 Absolutely, I would love to stop down some day . I need to fill out the cam info , I keep forgetting. P.s. your shirt is extremely comfortable !

[@tjoyce81]

"Nightmare" is a fitting name to this series. lol. You are right about ring gap. People stress too much about it. As long as the 2nd ring is gapped more than the top ring - you are good. The difference in that gap?? Well that's a secret - but I'll let ya know you can make more hp by opening the 'difference' up 'much' more on this build. But, I'm sure that this engine will "rip" (as Bill Elliot used to say...lol

[@rickjones6798]

I really enjoy your videos the things I didn't know about these LS motors I actually learned quite a bit from your videos really appreciate you putting them on buddy

[@powellmachineinc3179]

Glad to hear it!

[@GeorgeFarahGNR]

Getting me excited! Cant wait for what you got coming up! Ever thought about wearing a go pro while working lol

[@GraemeCoulter]

Learning all the time. Thank you.

[@powellmachineinc3179]

Glad to hear it!

[@koford]

Think i saw somewhere else that said: Ring cap too little much is not going to destroy your engine, too short is not good and would be a problem.

[@jim8027]

Well, from what I see, it's your attention to detail and desire to put out a top quality product that has the jobs lined up 6+ months.

[@powellmachineinc3179]

Ty, we appreciate you

[@BigMikesGarage]

Always enjoy the content. When you are grinding seats in heads, do you ever experience chatter? Mine was doing it on the exhaust seats today, and I was having a hard time preventing it. I resurfaced the stone, and it didn't make any difference.

[@powellmachineinc3179]

Yes, I vary the spindle speed in the serdi to help that

[@RussellCompton-fh3gr]

and thanks for showing your human and forget things

[@powellmachineinc3179]

Absolutely

[@mikefoley7561]

how much did the bore gauge that you use? It differently isn't from Ebay. Awesome video

[@powellmachineinc3179]

I think there about 2500.00

[@Go4BrokeOffroad]

Cornwell works one that works well.

[@kodykj2112]

Do you know of any "special" oils that have glitter/metal particle looking additives in them? I have a 2013 Wrangler 3.6 Pentastar I bought w/ 120k miles on it & it ran great but started smoking. Burning 2 quarts of oil in 2k miles. I've only driven it about 4k miles. Did compression tests & leak down tests & all passed very consitently. Hoped it was the PCV, replaced it & then went to change the oil and found it extremely glittery. Pulled the mains & rods and all of the bearings are beautiful. Can still see the class #s on them. Yet even after an oil change the oil w/ 10 miles on it (before disassembly), it had glitter galore. Cams are good. Bearings are good. Compression good. Idk what's goin on, gonna reassemble and see what happens.

[@powellmachineinc3179]

No, something is eating itself, those engines have massive valvetrain issues

[@strokermaverick]

So, the cast second ring is .0024 and the top stainless steel ring, is .0022. I realize, different metals expand, at different rates. Why, the different ring materials, for this boosted application? Asking, out of ignorance.

[@powellmachineinc3179]

The ss top ring is normally used in a power adder application

[@strokermaverick]

@@powellmachineinc3179 Makes, sense. Stainless steel, is a stronger material. Thank you, for your response.

[@Jpilgrim30]

If you have any good gen 2 LT1 stuff laying around that needs a good home I’m taking donations 😂

[@jeffallen3382]

Do you recommend using thread inserts on the headbolts threads of the aluminum LS blocks? Recently I was doing a DOD delete on a friends car that had a collapsed DOD lifter. I could tell this engine had been apart before whenni was tearing it down. When I went to torque the headbolts down one bolt on each side stripped out. I repaired those 2 and told my friend we need to do all of the rest if we want to be sure this doesn't happen again. Juat curious as to what you have seen with these bolt threads on these aluminum blocks?

[@powellmachineinc3179]

Yes, we use time serts often, trash left down in the bolt holes can really cause issues

[@jeffallen3382]

@@powellmachineinc3179 what a major pain in the ass this was to do!

[@JoeKing-lo8em]

I noticed you checked all gaps with same cylinder…..most of the vids I’ve watched say gap rings to each cylinder. For instance, gap top & second to #1, top & second to #3, so on a so forth keeping each set to specific cylinder. Just curious as I’m in the process of refreshing my L83…cam, main/rod bearings, honing, new rings. I’ll be using stock rings(plasma moly). I believe the gap for this engine is 15-17 thou. It has 240k miles also. Not sure if that would be a factor in gapping after deglazing.

[@powellmachineinc3179]

All my cylinders are the same size, so?

[@bowtiekid329]

Really enjoy your videos!! Where do get the wheel that you clean the edges of the rings with and what type of abraisive is it? Thanks

[@powellmachineinc3179]

It comes with the machine

[@jimdavis6833]

I was wondering, how often you need to get your precision measuring equipment recalibrated?

[@powellmachineinc3179]

We have gauge blocks and standards here, so I check my own, we normally send torque wrenchs out once a year

[@MrAnviljenkins]

Is the ring gap the same with stainless ? I thought the linear expansion ratio for stainless was higher than steel or cast iron ?

[@powellmachineinc3179]

The manufacturer giblets us a recommendation that works well

[@hazendismukesjr.8319]

I had to little ring gàp and ruined a good block

[@powellmachineinc3179]

Yep

[@Wisconwiggy]

I only have one question and I don't know a better way other then comment on a video. If you had a LS in a everyday driver vehicle what would you recommend on setup to make the most bullet proof engine or would you just order a stock setup from GM. Apologize if this is a dumb question.

[@benrossbach6501]

Do you have an opinion on oil squirters?

[@powellmachineinc3179]

They do a great job of keeping pistons cool

[@kricketscreations4887]

How's it going love the videos curious on your RMC what is your head tilt do you know how to adjust the tilt. Its 6 1/2 thou on The one in this shop that I took over I think it's a little much

[@MrTooTechnical]

Fukin awesome

[@powellmachineinc3179]

Ty

[@Final_Boss_Racing]

Do you see any benefit to squirters on a full blown race engine?

[@powellmachineinc3179]

Keeps piston Temps down

[@RussellCompton-fh3gr]

thanks,,, off topic,, what shoes you wear on those hard floors ?

[@powellmachineinc3179]

Brooks!

[@Calango741]

Since the engine is on a stand with wheels, why don't you just move it to where the ring grinder is so you don't have to keep walking back and forth...?

[@jeremyking5684]

Probably to keep it away from grinding dust! Good exercise

[@bobhudson6659]

Back room with ring grinder has a lathe and other grinding eqpt like the crank cap grinder, amongst other tools. Do you really want all the stuff in the air in that room in your freshly cleaned and ready to be assembled motor? Same as you would not want your ready to be assembled motor in the engine dismantling bay. Also give Daniel credit for knowing what he is doing,. He's been doing it a long time and has a great reputation. He would have a reason for doing everything he does/doesn't. Also now looking at the other eqpt Daniel has in the room where the motor is, I doubt that this is the final assembly area anyway. But will leave that to Daniel to comment on if he wishes to. Retired mechanic/machinist.

[@traceyohlson7263]

Why is the top ring have less gap than the second? The top ring sees more heat.

[@powellmachineinc3179]

To prevent ring flutter

[@traceyohlson7263]

@@powellmachineinc3179 maybe you can do a video explaining ring flutter?

[@dantwomey]

Stainless anything is hard to grind?

[@douglasbuckland8280]

I realize that this may be a 'dumb' question to ask a machinist, but what do yo mean when you say (for example) "a tenth". I don't think that you are referring to 100/1000's. I must be missing something.

[@deadlata9767]

.0001 inch a ten thousandth of an inch. A tenth of a thousandth

[@powellmachineinc3179]

. 0001, devide 1 thousands 10 times