[Z06] ** "Seconds before disaster video" LS7 valve guide wear, how to check for it **
04-19-2013, 06:40 PM
#42
Drifting
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We have been replacing so many LS7 heads lately here that we decided to put a video together of what the damage actually looks like for you guys to see first hand who do not do this stuff regularly.
It seems that almost every LS7 coming in here with 20k or more on the odometer (06-07 especially) has excessive wear and often the owner does not know it. The cars are getting dropped off for a supercharger or cam etc, but we have to start with repairing the heads first. To the point that we have a half dozen rotating LS7 heads in the works at all times now to shorten the wait for the customers.
It has come to the point where we can tell just by listening to the car, if you hold the RPM up to roughly 2k you can hear the play in the drive train. A handful of the owners just thought it's how the engine sounds since they bought the car second hand and are amazed how much quieter it is after repairing the cylinder heads. I do not have a video of that sorry, but here is a video of what the wear looks like itself.
It seems that almost every LS7 coming in here with 20k or more on the odometer (06-07 especially) has excessive wear and often the owner does not know it. The cars are getting dropped off for a supercharger or cam etc, but we have to start with repairing the heads first. To the point that we have a half dozen rotating LS7 heads in the works at all times now to shorten the wait for the customers.
It has come to the point where we can tell just by listening to the car, if you hold the RPM up to roughly 2k you can hear the play in the drive train. A handful of the owners just thought it's how the engine sounds since they bought the car second hand and are amazed how much quieter it is after repairing the cylinder heads. I do not have a video of that sorry, but here is a video of what the wear looks like itself.
04-19-2013, 06:40 PM
#43
Burning Brakes
04-19-2013, 06:41 PM
#44
Some will, because for the most part, this membership is a rational thinking group. They aren't stupid.
This is the reason why you see more and more people, particularly those in here out of warranty, taking the necessary steps to protect themselves, as the evidence, to include dropped valves, and excessively worn valve guides, continues to pile up, despite previous beliefs.
Sane people, and have no doubt about it, most of this membership is sane, don't play Russian roulette with their engines and their wallets. Especially in the midst of arguments by some that it is "safe", and your odds are somehow "good".
However, that said, you will still have a few racking up highway miles and insisting that there is no issue
04-19-2013, 06:50 PM
#45
Safety Car
That's because we almost never have members on here that don't have wear, even WCCH hardly ever gets any without wear. But I know you will prolly think he just says that to help with business, but if u have ever talked to Rich u will quickly learn that's not the case
04-19-2013, 06:58 PM
#46
Le Mans Master
04-19-2013, 06:58 PM
#47
Burning Brakes
True, but some doubters just will not pick up the phone to learn for themselves.
04-19-2013, 06:58 PM
#48
Team Owner
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Even though I still have 2+ years of GMPP on my bone stock late 06 build 07 Z (no noise/smoke @ 15K miles) this makes me sick to my stomach!
I wish someone would put a shopping list together of what it would take to make the worry go away.
Heads, rockers, springs, valves, guides, push rods, gaskets, bolts, etc.
Thank you for this info Doug!
I wish someone would put a shopping list together of what it would take to make the worry go away.
Heads, rockers, springs, valves, guides, push rods, gaskets, bolts, etc.
Thank you for this info Doug!
04-19-2013, 07:02 PM
#49
04-19-2013, 07:04 PM
#50
Drifting
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thats the part I don't understand ..anyone that works on these heads will tell you the same
04-19-2013, 07:05 PM
#51
Even though I still have 2+ years of GMPP on my bone stock late 06 build 07 Z (no noise/smoke @ 15K miles) this makes me sick to my stomach!
I wish someone would put a shopping list together of what it would take to make the worry go away.
Heads, rockers, springs, valves, guides, push rods, gaskets, bolts, etc.
Thank you for this info Doug!
I wish someone would put a shopping list together of what it would take to make the worry go away.
Heads, rockers, springs, valves, guides, push rods, gaskets, bolts, etc.
Thank you for this info Doug!
04-19-2013, 07:07 PM
#52
Burning Brakes
04-19-2013, 07:09 PM
#53
But better to be sick you your stomach, than sick to your wallet, like some of those in here who were bull headed and didn't believe that this matter was a real problem, and who have suffered a valve failure w/o benefit of a GMPP like what you have.
In your case, at least you have that GMPP, but on the other side of it, if you do have your heads checked and find them to be bad, then all they will do is give you another set of crap stock heads.
Heads destined for the same issue, but next time, when your GMPP has expired, and their failure will be on your dime instead of theirs.
Cash out that GMPP and put the refund dough towards a set of WCCH heads, and rest easy about this issue, for long after that GMPP that the clock is running on, and which will only give you a new set of crap stock heads, would have expired.
See above
Last edited by '06 Quicksilver Z06; 04-19-2013 at 07:12 PM.
04-19-2013, 07:19 PM
#55
Safety Car
Set of WCCH Stage 2 heads or PRC265cc heads with new stock gaskets, good dual valve springs, new head bolts or arp head studs, and measure for pushrods at install. Is what you need along with coolant and oil/filter. Also a tune is required if you do port work or PRC 265cc heads.
Someone can add anything else required if I missed something
Someone can add anything else required if I missed something
Last edited by LS9Drew; 04-19-2013 at 07:50 PM.
04-19-2013, 07:31 PM
#56
great video. i did the same test with dial indicator. i positioned the dial indicator at the 12-6 oclock position and at 9-3 oclock position w valves slightly off the seat is how i got my worst measurement. i found my wear to be much worse wiggling the valves at 12-6 oclock vs 9-3 oclock position in this demonstration. what im saying is my heads showed more wear up and down vs left to right. quite a few of my exhuast valves during wiggle test measured .028-.030!!!!! yes thats right......more than double of this demonstration. give these guys a call and let them check your valve guides. DO IT!!
04-19-2013, 07:34 PM
#57
Race Director
Even though I still have 2+ years of GMPP on my bone stock late 06 build 07 Z (no noise/smoke @ 15K miles) this makes me sick to my stomach!
I wish someone would put a shopping list together of what it would take to make the worry go away.
Heads, rockers, springs, valves, guides, push rods, gaskets, bolts, etc.
Thank you for this info Doug!
I wish someone would put a shopping list together of what it would take to make the worry go away.
Heads, rockers, springs, valves, guides, push rods, gaskets, bolts, etc.
Thank you for this info Doug!
04-19-2013, 08:18 PM
#59
Drifting
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04-19-2013, 08:40 PM
#60
OK, dumb question:
How difficult is it to check the valve movement for a Joe at home? I've never done valve train work, but I consider myself decent around the engine bay, I have installed longtubes on my Fbody and installed boltons on various cars. Is it as simple as pulling the valve covers, removing springs and rockers, and checking movement?
Thanks
How difficult is it to check the valve movement for a Joe at home? I've never done valve train work, but I consider myself decent around the engine bay, I have installed longtubes on my Fbody and installed boltons on various cars. Is it as simple as pulling the valve covers, removing springs and rockers, and checking movement?
Thanks