How to Build a 5.3L LS LM7 V8 - Part 8: Replacing the Cylinder Heads 

rebuilding an 6.0 Lq4. this series has been invaluable. I'm truly the target audience rebuilding my first engine in my spare time in my garage. just finished tear down, waiting for the engine to come back from the machine shop. also, it's 2022, so one year later these videos have aged well. My 6.0 is going in a 1970 Nova

Love this so much! This series is the straw that broke the camel's back and made me feel confident to start building my first 5.3!

Again, terrific video with everything clearly explained. Thanks.

I love this series, your attention to critical detail is spectacular. At some point it would be nice to get a feel for how much everything costs. I know that your costs are very different, so I am not asking what you paid for things. I'm asking for a ballpark figure as to how much we would typically spend to have heads machined, gaskets, bolts, etc for a non-racing DIY engine rebuild.

I just finished binge watching all 9 videos. GREAT WORK. CANT WAIT FOR THE OTHERS!

These rebuild videos should be in the LS Bible! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK RYAN!

Why didn't u just stick the lifters in the tray and drop the whole thing in and I think your trays are upside down

Been waiting for this one! Currently doing a Ls swap myself your videos are a great help

Man I love the videos but you need more ls homework I have noticed multiple things done incorrectly just like the lifters it’s much easier to put them in the tray and put the tray in the block if you built many of these you probably would know that

Do you have the part number for the 10 degree locks used in the retainers on the heads?

Was wondering what part and part #'s you used for Valves. Another question. Do the cylinder heads require to be installed on the side of the block they came off? Thanks in advance and for answering the last question, i had on another vid!!

Currently at this stage of my LM7 build. Did springs and retainers for valves today. 💪 will put heads, pushrods and rockers in tomorrow.

I’m surprised you didn’t go with your favorite ARP bolts for the head, was there a reason why? Great content and videos so far!

After you time your block is it safe to crank it by hand I’m curious to know I’m rebuilding one rn the heads just got installed and I cranked it a few times to check rocker arms

Ryan thank you so much for this video you are the best you are so detailed and specific to every step of the way. Keep doing a great job. I’ve subscribed and liked it and will support you to the end you are the best.

Do u recommend to torque head bolts after first heat cycle

I’m kind surprised he didn’t go over installing the springs and retainers and valves.. unless the machine shop did that part?

I had a weird experience when torquing the bolts on a cavalier 2.2 once. When torquing one bolt it just kept spinning like the threads were stripped out. I was like what the... Took a bolt I hadn't torqued yet and the one that kept spinning out and looked at them. Same length. Threads were perfect. I put the one that kept spinning in a different hole and the other one in the hole that kept spinning and everything torqued down perfectly

If you have the old lifters from the engine you should look and compare the wheel contact pattern patch width. If the new lifters have a narrower contract patch, you have China made lifters. I got into that, and had to RIP my engine back down and put the factory used lifters back in. I don't know why I replaced them anyway. Just a warning.

How did you get everything so clean?? Looks awesome and I love the video!

Hey nice video I used the same cam that you used in your past video. Is there anything special I need to know when taking the heads to the machine shop as far as valves? Do I just request titanium valves as well?

This sequence will be the same for l59 engine correct?

Question can I put 862 heads from gen 3 on gen 4 ?

Would the original valve springs, keepers an retainers work if they look to be in good shape?

quick question the same head gasket you provided in the description has a compressed thickness of 0.051 in. but when you did your compression calculator you used 0.040 as compression thickness. did you find another gasket in replace of that one or is there an mix up somewhere? im using the same recipe you are but using 243 heads but milling them down to the same as 706 heads. to obtain the same compression ratio.

When doing head gaskets, does the surgace have to be immaculate? I just did mine and had some stains on the block suface, but felt smooth. Kind of paranoid, but I've heard mls gaskets are forgiving.

is it necessary to check lifter socket places for wearing?

Never use HARBOR FREIGHT and PRECISION INSTRUMENT in the same sentence again ...

do you have a link to the valves itself? are they a stock replacement or did you upgrade the intake valves to 2", also what cylinder heads did you use for this build ? im guessing from the look of the stock piston rods that it is a gen 3 LM7 engine and that it would have had 862 heads, no?

Any reason you chose stock TTY head bolts instead of going ARP head bolts? Just taking the heads off once pays for the extra cost of the ARP bolts. Love the series, thanks so much!

Just out of curiosity, is there a reason you did not use the ARP bolt set for the heads? I understand the cost is 2-3x more, but they are reusable. And in the case of a backyard mechanic like myself, I find that regardless of how meticulous I am, there may be a reason I need to remove the heads again.

🇺🇲 He forgot to mention that you can't over lube your engine. Great series man I am watching them all. And I don't know how many times I said to myself "that's what she said" when you were talking about lube haha. I have a 05 5.3 LM7 and love it. Thanks for the great video!🇺🇲

What stage port did you with for the heads?

If I wanted to fbody swap a 5.3 into a 350Z, would I need a different type of oil pan, windage pan, and pickup? New to this

Have a 2003 tahoe with over 200k miles, I’ll never end up rebuilding it but it’s still crazy cool how you’re able to teach someone how to rebuild an entire engine in like 12 episodes

What Is the desfront 5.3 thin 6.0

what is proper ARP stud number? i prefer studs to stretch bolts..

Building the same motor out of a 2000 Silverado and the link you have for the head gaskets on summits website says these are for a 5.7 350. Are those the right ones? Videos are extremely informative thanks so much. Great job!

What kind of valve set up are you running? I've been trying to look for a set of new hardened valves but haven't come across any🫤

1 more question boss was your block decked or was it still stock deck height?

Were your heads ported at the machine shop or did you do them yourself?

would had loved a link to the stainless steal valves but guess the shop got them when they redid the heads. also they say not to soak this kind of lifters in oil, but like you said lol better too much lube than not enough. great video's, I got to do a head job on my 2003 Silverado after I found out I had a head gasket blown and water in my oil. run so good I didn't even know. I'm not a pro and broke so I'm wondering. can I replace the lifters and without getting new rocker arms and rods? also going to put 862 heads on because my truck has 706 heads that are on it now, they like to crack so would rather have the peace of mind to replace the heads. can't afford to do this job again. and while I got the heads off I feel I should take advantage to replace the lifters. but I'm on a disabled check so poor, so money is very low. probably take me 6 months to get all the parts and tools to do it, at least by then it'll be warm. lol but that's why I'm only going as far as the lifters and putting it back together. anyway thanks for any info. great video's between them and the PDF 5 volume dealership shop manual I got for $7.99 off eBay. I hope I can get it done. I'm hoping for that $1400 in march I need some kind of ride I live in the country and hate begging people for a ride to the grocery store lol anyway thank you again for these 11 video's they have been very helpful, and the parts you link to, i heard cheap parts can destroy your engine, so even if i don't have the money i'm not going to cut corners

Speaking of the lifters....there is a bulletin on the lifter noise on colder starts. It rattles even with low miles. GM says it is normal, ignore it. If it bothers you, the list a part number from Comp Cams that won't bleed down.

Have you ever broken a head bolt tightening to spec?

I just started building my engine last week and finding your videos was a blessing 🍻🍻🍻

Is there a specific measurement for the upsizing of the ports?

your a legend! love from houston texas! im on the road to lm7 glory

Years ago an old time mechanic taught me to use aluminum spray paint on both side of the head gasket-3-4 coats last coat put on while tacky an torque. Never had one leak ever 👍

Are your new gorgeous stainless steel combustion valves the same size in diameter as the stock

Did you have to get bigger valves? Or did u use the stock size?

So how much are you charging to rebuild my motor lol seriously

What torque wrench are you using?

Legend 🙏

Great work! Man!!! U are a god

Where did u buy your torque and angle wrenches from

Which heads are these?

next video?

Are those 706 heads?

1

What stops a roller lifter from twisting in the hole?