LS-1 valve cover question

[jweb]

I bought an 02 ls1 and the valve covers are perimeter bolt is this right?

Also if they are correct, what goes in the large hole at the back of the left valve cover? Oil fill is in the front right.

[Custom 68]

I thought all LS style bolted along the center? The hole should be a PCV of some sort.

[jweb]

Looking at pictures of the 98-99 ls motors I have seen these style covers. I think I was sold the wrong motor.

I also just found oil in the throttle body, what would cause that?

I may be able to send the engine back, should I or just keep it?

[TypeSL2]

You likely have a 97-99 LS1 motor. Those years were known to have oiling problems. I would definitely send it back if it were me.

James

[Custom 68]

ah, I didn't know that. I had not dealt with those years. It sounds like James mentions the oiling problem for those years you will probably want to listen to him. I don't think it is that unusual to have some oil in the throttle body area on any of these motors. Just nothing excessive. But if those years are noted for that you might stay clear.

[BR3W CITY]

PCV issues can cause oil buildup, and ring gap issues in early LS1's can also cause a problem.

Have you noticed any smoking or other sign oil oil usage?

[jweb]

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

PCV issues can cause oil buildup, and ring gap issues in early LS1's can also cause a problem.

Have you noticed any smoking or other sign oil oil usage?

I have never run the motor. I just bought a complete dropout, That was pulled from '02 Camaro. After running all the numbers it's actually from a '97 firebird. I'm really disappointed, and will try to send it back
Posted via Mobile Device

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by jweb

I have never run the motor. I just bought a complete dropout, That was pulled from '02 Camaro. After running all the numbers it's actually from a '97 firebird. I'm really disappointed, and will try to send it back
Posted via Mobile Device

'98 Firebird Formula or Trans Am, '97 F-bodies had LT1's.

[jweb]

Originally Posted by clinebarger

'98 Firebird Formula or Trans Am, '97 F-bodies had LT1's.

I got the info from checking the engine vin 2w2214698 and the block casting number 12550592 both show 97-98 Pontiac. I might be confused but I found the info on LS1tech.com, either way it's not an '02.
Posted via Mobile Device

[jweb]

Here's a link to the engine vin information , it is a 98

http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversion...ification.html
Posted via Mobile Device

[solidaxel]

Buyer Beware!

[indymachinist]

From someone who has and regularly flogs a 98 LS1.... they are not as bad as people make them out to be. Mine has a fairly basic set of ported heads, small cam, headers, and LS6 intake. It puts down about 380whp and I have no problems with it. The differences are quite minor and if you are planning to use it for a basic truck swap or even mildly built heads/cam you should have no problems. There is a lot of unnecessary fear mongering over the older LS1 engines.


Be careful with how much you believe from ls1tech. There are a lot of parrots there who just like to spew out information they have heard and may not have any first hand experience with. As with any other forum there are also a lot of knowledgeable people as well but it can be hard to weed through the BS.


The 97 and 98 LS1 engines are the only ones that came from the factory with perimeter bolt heads. So one of two things has happened here. You have either been sold a 98 engine as an 02, or someone with an 02 swapped older heads onto the engine at some point. It is very unlikely, but not unthinkable to swap the older heads onto the newer engine. If your engine is truly an 02 it should also have an LS6 intake manifold on it as well as cast exhaust manifolds with no EGR system. A 98 LS1 would have an LS1 intake with tubular exhaust manifolds and EGR. If you want to confirm the LS6 intake it should have a part number on top of it that you can reference or, if you take it off the bottom of the manifold should be flat.


Depending on what your goals for your truck are the 98 style engine would likely be just fine. The issue at hand is if it is a 98 engine you probably over paid as they do not demand the high prices that an 02 would. I would have no problem seeking out and using a 98 style engine for any kind of basic swap. As I said I have one myself and have no complaints. IMO, some of the newer ones simply demand too much extra money for too little gain.

[OutlawDrifter]

see above.

if you paid for a 2002 model, you should receive all of the correct parts including the ls6 intake.

[jweb]

It's all 98, I checked the block casting and vin numbers. While I plan on keeping the motor stock, I just want to make sure I get what I paid for.

I paid $3500 for a complete dropout engine & trans. It was in an 02 Camaro with 35K. My main concern is there's no way of telling how many miles or on the motor since it's not the original from the car.

They are taking the engine back, and I don't think they were trying to rip me off. Just sold it to me from the car's info. not the engine. Seems like an honest mistake.