Hand Built ??
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,030
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From: Maumelle Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Hand Built ??
I have often heard the term hand assembled refering to the LS7 Z 06 engine.
I watched the National Geographic special and noticed several of the assembly steps were automated. For example a machine torqued down all the head bolts at one time. I had envisioned a master engine builder carefully torqueing down the head bolts, one at a time in the correct order with a precision torque wrench.
How many people hand build engines with impact wrenches?
LJ
I watched the National Geographic special and noticed several of the assembly steps were automated. For example a machine torqued down all the head bolts at one time. I had envisioned a master engine builder carefully torqueing down the head bolts, one at a time in the correct order with a precision torque wrench.
How many people hand build engines with impact wrenches?
LJ
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,017
Likes: 2
Those are not exactly "impact wrenches"..I did a quick google and found a couple of pneumatic torque wrenches that had accuracy of +/-3% ..And this was a range of 50-5000ft/lbs..Using those wrenches the repeatable accuracy of the bolt torque is probably far better than it would be using a manual wrench..
Welcome to the 21 century..
Welcome to the 21 century..
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
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From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I'd have to agree that all hand built is probably not even the best thing today, nor is it the definition of "hand built" in most cases.
In a way, just try to imagine laser-cutting something like sheet metal vs. "eyeballing" it after a line is drawn on the piece. I'd say, no comparison in repeatable degree of accuracy.
But you could still take the two laser-cut pieces of metal afterwards and screw them into something by hand and call it "hand built."
In most instances, I know which two pieces I'd rather have.
In a way, just try to imagine laser-cutting something like sheet metal vs. "eyeballing" it after a line is drawn on the piece. I'd say, no comparison in repeatable degree of accuracy.
But you could still take the two laser-cut pieces of metal afterwards and screw them into something by hand and call it "hand built."
In most instances, I know which two pieces I'd rather have.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,485
Likes: 3
From: Central NJ
The LS3 in manual GS models is also supposedly hand built...
I have no idea why it would be so for manuals and not automatics ( but I think bc of the dry sump )...
I don't think hand built is better in any way than the mass production way... I think it's just a matter of investing in machines vs investing in people - for huge volume it would make sense to invest in machines, otherwise low volumes are probably cheaper with people... but I'm guessing here, if anyone wants to correct my theory please do...
I have no idea why it would be so for manuals and not automatics ( but I think bc of the dry sump )...
I don't think hand built is better in any way than the mass production way... I think it's just a matter of investing in machines vs investing in people - for huge volume it would make sense to invest in machines, otherwise low volumes are probably cheaper with people... but I'm guessing here, if anyone wants to correct my theory please do...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 973
Likes: 3
From: Mid Michigan
The LS3 in manual GS models is also supposedly hand built...
I have no idea why it would be so for manuals and not automatics ( but I think bc of the dry sump )...
I don't think hand built is better in any way than the mass production way... I think it's just a matter of investing in machines vs investing in people - for huge volume it would make sense to invest in machines, otherwise low volumes are probably cheaper with people... but I'm guessing here, if anyone wants to correct my theory please do...
I have no idea why it would be so for manuals and not automatics ( but I think bc of the dry sump )...
I don't think hand built is better in any way than the mass production way... I think it's just a matter of investing in machines vs investing in people - for huge volume it would make sense to invest in machines, otherwise low volumes are probably cheaper with people... but I'm guessing here, if anyone wants to correct my theory please do...
By the way the engine also includes a forged steel (greater strength) crankshaft as opposed to cast iron.
Regards,
GSRANDY
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,017
Likes: 2
The LS3 in manual GS models is also supposedly hand built...
I have no idea why it would be so for manuals and not automatics ( but I think bc of the dry sump )...
I don't think hand built is better in any way than the mass production way... I think it's just a matter of investing in machines vs investing in people - for huge volume it would make sense to invest in machines, otherwise low volumes are probably cheaper with people... but I'm guessing here, if anyone wants to correct my theory please do...
I have no idea why it would be so for manuals and not automatics ( but I think bc of the dry sump )...
I don't think hand built is better in any way than the mass production way... I think it's just a matter of investing in machines vs investing in people - for huge volume it would make sense to invest in machines, otherwise low volumes are probably cheaper with people... but I'm guessing here, if anyone wants to correct my theory please do...
What it gets the consumer is simply higher quality control, or at least more quality control steps.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,437
Likes: 4
From: Bucks Co. / outside Philadelphia PA
I have often heard the term hand assembled refering to the LS7 Z 06 engine.
I watched the National Geographic special and noticed several of the assembly steps were automated. For example a machine torqued down all the head bolts at one time. I had envisioned a master engine builder carefully torqueing down the head bolts, one at a time in the correct order with a precision torque wrench.
How many people hand build engines with impact wrenches?
LJ
I watched the National Geographic special and noticed several of the assembly steps were automated. For example a machine torqued down all the head bolts at one time. I had envisioned a master engine builder carefully torqueing down the head bolts, one at a time in the correct order with a precision torque wrench.
How many people hand build engines with impact wrenches?
LJ
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,644
Likes: 13
From: South of Boston MA
GM has been "hand building" engines for a very long time. I am the original owner of a 1976 Cosworth Vega and its engine was hand-built at the Tonawanda plant in NY. There is a sticker on the cam cover where the builder signed his name. 
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,234
Likes: 84
From: Williamston MI
I have often heard the term hand assembled refering to the LS7 Z 06 engine.
I watched the National Geographic special and noticed several of the assembly steps were automated. For example a machine torqued down all the head bolts at one time. I had envisioned a master engine builder carefully torqueing down the head bolts, one at a time in the correct order with a precision torque wrench.
How many people hand build engines with impact wrenches?
LJ
I watched the National Geographic special and noticed several of the assembly steps were automated. For example a machine torqued down all the head bolts at one time. I had envisioned a master engine builder carefully torqueing down the head bolts, one at a time in the correct order with a precision torque wrench.
How many people hand build engines with impact wrenches?
LJ
We do use precision electronic torque wrenches, which are computer controlled. Spindle speed, initial torque and final angle are applied as specified by engineering specs. Using a clicker wrench would not give a better result.
True, head bolts are torqued simultaneously. This is actually a good thing - the result is a more uniform clampload.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,234
Likes: 84
From: Williamston MI
LS9 build on Jalopnik
If you are interested in seeing how your engines are built at Wixom PBC check out this link. It covers an LS9 build with a writer from Jalopnik.com. Article is very recent.
http://jalopnik.com/5371569//gallery/?selectedImage=55
Thanks for your interest!
Don
http://jalopnik.com/5371569//gallery/?selectedImage=55
Thanks for your interest!
Don
