Tag: LS1 FAQ
LS1 Main Cap Orientation: Which Way Do the Main Caps Face?
LS1 main caps are identified by location and direction. Learn what the numbers mean, which way the main-cap arrows point, and how the caps are positioned before seating them in the block.
How to Check an LS1 Block Deck for Warpage Before Installing...
Before installing the cylinder heads, check the LS1 block deck for warpage. Our LS engine reference specifies maximum flatness of 0.004 inch within 6 inches and 0.008 inch across the deck.
LS1 Press-Fit vs. Full-Floating Wrist Pins: What’s the Difference?
Factory LS1 wrist pins use a press-fit connecting-rod arrangement, while many aftermarket combinations use full-floating pins and retaining locks. Learn how each design works and which measurements matter.
LS1 Crankshaft Crack Inspection: How Magnetic-Particle Testing Finds Hidden Damage
An LS1 crankshaft can look usable while hiding structural damage. Learn how magnetic-particle inspection helps reveal crankshaft cracks and why a cracked LS crank should be replaced.
LS1 Crankshaft Runout: How to Check If an LS Crank Is...
LS1 crankshaft runout is checked at the No. 3 center main journal with a dial indicator. Learn how to measure crankshaft straightness, identify excessive runout, and determine whether an LS crank may be bent before assembling the short block.
LS1 Camshaft End Play: How to Measure Cam Thrust Clearance
LS1 camshaft end play should measure 0.001–0.012 inch. Learn how to check cam thrust clearance with a dial indicator and why aftermarket timing components can affect the measurement.
LS1 Connecting Rod Chamfer Orientation: Which Way Should the Rod Face?
Learn which way the **LS1 connecting-rod chamfer should face**, why it must clear the crankshaft journal fillet, and how correct rod orientation helps prevent clearance problems during LS1 engine assembly.
LS1 Piston-to-Deck Clearance: How to Measure and Calculate It
LS1 piston-to-deck clearance is determined by **crankshaft stroke, connecting-rod length, piston compression distance, and block geometry**. Learn how these dimensions affect piston position at TDC and how to measure deck clearance during an LS1 build.
LS1 Crankshaft End Play: What Is the Correct Thrust Clearance?
LS1 crankshaft end play should measure 0.0015–0.0078 inch. Learn where the No. 3 thrust bearing is located, how crankshaft end play is measured, and what to check during an LS1 engine build.
What Are LS1 Cracked-Cap Connecting Rods? How GM’s Fractured Rod Design...
Factory LS1 connecting rods use a **powdered-metal cracked-cap design** with uniquely matched fracture surfaces. Learn why rod caps must stay with their original rods, how the design works, and what to inspect before reusing factory LS1 rods.
