Question about dowel pins on the LS7
 

I pulled my heads this weekend. Both dowels were on the driver's side. The spot where the dowel would go on the passenger's side front was missing. There are two dowels on the passenger's side, correct? I have no idea where this thing could have gone. It's not on the cylinder head, it's not in the block, couldn't find it in the engine bay. I will admit I didn't look very hard on the ground but I gave a good honest search and couldn't find it. Just want to make sure I'm not chasing a ghost dowel.

Thanks!

Yes, 2 on each side.

Blah... I figured. Guess I have to play hide and seek with this damn thing now.

Did you have your heads reworked? If so, you may contact the shop that did the work and see if they have an extra lying around.

Nope. Sending them out. Just pulled the heads off this weekend.

Better find them......

You looked in the head right?

Only one is missing. Yes, it's not in the cylinder head. I'm assuming it's on the floor or in the coolant pan somewhere. I don't see how in the hell it could have fell in the motor because it is on the bottom and would have fell in to the cylinder if anything. I'll buy another but I'll be sure to find the old one before reassembly.

Probably fell beneath the car and rolled somewhere, if it didn't fall into your pan of antifreeze.

I hate when things like this happen , because it adds another half hour onto the project.

What exactly are you having done to the heads Dingo?

How sure are we that they are always getting installed like they should be? I only had 3 in mine. I was careful pulling the heads, didn't hear anything fall. I searched and searched and searched, never found the "4th" Bought a new one, put it together and didn't worry about it.

I figure that's probably the case.

I'm sending them to WCCH for the Stage 2 w/ CNC porting.

Wow!

Which valves are you using in them?

Getting the standard Stage 2 work done. They use the REV SS exhaust valves (X1137) with SI bronze valve guides.

They inspect and tumble polish the OEM intake valves as well.

Richard probably has some around his shop that he could put in the box when he returns your heads

^ good looking out. I'll ask about that.

Good luck with your install, and I will add your name to the listing.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-z...st-valves.html

Thanks! It should be pretty straight forward like taking them off.

I just need to know the torque spec for the ARP bolts and the "stages" needed to get them to the final torque number.

One more thing, I know some people turn the crank to take the push rods off of lift before tightening down the rockers... do you all recommend that or is that just being too particular?? Thanks!

Same thing happened to me, I just installed the head with 1 dowel. No problems, they are only used to position the head correctly on the block which can be done by using a head bolt or 2 instead.

Don't forget the obvious, could still be stuck in your head gasket! Please check!

I had just reached that conclusion this morning haha! I'm pretty sure it was in the head gasket. I looked all over and can't find it. My buddy helped me when I was pulling the heads off of the motor because the gasket was sticking. I had them laying outside but he threw them away. I have a feeling it was still stuck in the gasket. Oh well.. I'll just buy another one and stick it in there.