Hows it going everyone? Looking for any helpful tips or information on putting your first motor together. I have a stock 5.3 LM7, pretty much stock. Ill be doing just your normal bolt ons and cam kit from TSP. I have the block back from the machine shop, I know I need to clean everything real good before installing the rotating assembly, all the holes etc.. A couple of people told me to use WD40 and some lint free rags. I have purchased plastigage and a feeler gauge to check clearances. Does anyone have a link to the order you bolt down the main caps to and pressure/ degress? Any links, tips any information that will help me. Thank you so much.

 

Here is the complete manual for the LQ9 / LQ4 engine.
Most of the torque and torque pattern specs are the same for the LM7.

 

This is awesome! Thanks for sharing!

 

Redxray posted the perfect link

clean the cylinders
chase the head bolt holes they have to be really spotless!
have a good quality torque wrench & angle finder (depending on what head bolts) "or" can just mark the bolt to keep track of final degree
use a lot of assembly lube
soak lifters in the engine oil a day before installing them
soak timing chain in engine oil
use a straight edge when aligning the front and rear covers to make sure they are even with the block

not needed but i like to use a marker or paint pen once i final torque a fastener that way i know it was done, spend some time on youtube a lot of good build vids that will show in detail

its not hard dont over think it, your just tightening bolts to spec and checking clearances the key is keeping track of what was torqued and whats the next to get torqued

 

I used red and black sharpies to keep track of the headbolt sequence.

 

if you just have one color on hand you can just draw a line 1st, then make it and X, then put a line true the X when using a sharpie, with the paint pens there brighter then sharpies so its easier on my eyes dont have to sit and hunt down the marks mostly when using ARP since they are dark in color

 

It’s what I had available. I had bought a torque angle gauge but got so frustrated with it I threw it away.

 

i thought i was the only one lol those things are a P.I.T.A to use

i found a KILLER deal on a snap on digital 3/8 torque wrench in like new condition on offerup that is able to do angles so much easier when doing the heads