LS1 Engine Work - August 3, 2020

I started working on the engine this weekend.  I didn't get as much done as I would have liked, but there was some progress:

1) Leakdown test completed using a cheap HF leakdown test.  The results were all very consistent, so it appears that all the cylinders are sealing well. 

2a) As part of the leakdown test, you have to remove all the spark plugs, which is also a good indication of any motor issues.  They all look good except for #1 cylinder - it may have a leaking fuel injector. 
2b) New spark plugs were installed - I may have to remove them again, but I needed to seal up the holes.


3) The rear main seal was replaced, which requires a special alignment tool (that I purchased a while back).  I try to clean up everything, and keep it neat and organized before starting internal engine work:


Parts and tool:



Before:


BTW, GM loves 10mm head bolts, so you better find your 10mm socket before working on an LS Engine!



Alignment Tool:


Finished:


4) At this point, progress slowed...I had to temporarily install the new flexplate because I forgot to buy new flex plate bolts.  They were ordered $$$.  I need the flex plate installed, so I can torque down the new harmonic balancer on the front of the engine.  I got it on the engine stand:


I broke a stud off the starter solenoid when removing it from the engine (it was rusty), so a new starter was ordered $$$.   The old oil pan was removed and sold the same day, so that was nice.



The engine looks clean inside, which is good:


New oil pan parts were installed before progress (and pictures!) stopped again...


The LS Oil Pan must be perfectly aligned with the back of the engine block.  Unfortunately, I just could not get it aligned properly with it on the engine stand.

So...the next day some stuff was re-done:
a) removed it from the engine stand and supported it from the hoist
b) re-installed the bell housing
c) installed the new oil pan with help from my son while the engine was supported by the hoist.  An extra pair of hands was very helpful.
d) removed the bell housing...again
e) put it back on the engine stand.
f) I tried to screw on the new oil filter, just to keep stuff out of the engine.  But the threads were different from the old pan to the new pan.  So I had to buy a new oil filter too $. 

Sorry, no pictures of all of this.
But the oil pan is fully installed, and the engine is back on the engine stand.   It pretty much looks like this again:

Next step is to remove the wiring harness and the front accessories and replace the front seal, harmonic balancer, water pump, etc. 

At some point in that process, I'm going to paint some of the parts to get rid of the dull corroded aluminum finish that is on most of the block.  The color will be a surprise for a future update.