Ls3 Engine install

[booneSS13]

Originally Posted by blake-b

That's your best bet unless you have access to a used and/or broken input shaft from a transmission. If I had known (I never searched) that existed, I would have bought one. The $54 that costs might just save you enough headache to make it worth it.

I'll definitely spend the $54 if it's going to save me that much trouble. I wonder why it's that much of a difference between the plastic and the metal clutch alignment tool..

[blake-b]

Originally Posted by booneSS13

I'll definitely spend the $54 if it's going to save me that much trouble. I wonder why it's that much of a difference between the plastic and the metal clutch alignment tool..

I'm assuming tolerances. The methods used to make the steel one are likely more precise than a molded piece of plastic.

[Centerforce_Clutches]

Originally Posted by booneSS13

I'll definitely spend the $54 if it's going to save me that much trouble. I wonder why it's that much of a difference between the plastic and the metal clutch alignment tool..

Originally Posted by blake-b

I'm assuming tolerances. The methods used to make the steel one are likely more precise than a molded piece of plastic.

The plastic ones, depending on the quality, can have loose tolerances, which allows the disk be installed slightly off. This causes you to have to adjust and re-bolt the pressure plate over again. There's nothing wrong with the plastic ones for the most part, though, and is what we supply with our clutch kits.

[booneSS13]

That would make sense that the plastic onesmay be a llittle off. That'sggood to know I'm going to buy the metal one from summit. If 50 bucks can save me maybe a few hours of hassle it's worth it to me!

[booneSS13]

Okay so day 1 of the engine install might start tomorrow God willing. I bought this cool ls engine lift plate off of Summit's website. Thought you all would like to check it out. This should make the process a LOT easier! Will post better pictures later

[blake-b]

I have the same plate.

[booneSS13]

Originally Posted by blake-b

I have the same plate.

I might be using it today. I think it's one of the most useful tools for this job. The only problem I've had so far is not being able to get it to clear the oil pressure sensor housing on the valley cover

[blake-b]

Take the valley cover off and put it in it's place. Or cut the corner off to clear the sensor housing.

[jjbrooks700]

How did the install go?
Setting them in together is the way to go. It's tight, but it works. I made that same type of puller with some scrap i had laying around. Just made a pattern off my valley cover. Worked great.

[booneSS13]

Sorry for the Late update. It went very smoothly actually. The LS Valley lift plate made the job way easier providing way more clearance. I removed the hood since it only take a minute to take off and didn't want to risk damaging it. It was pretty straight forward. Installed as much as I could while it was in the air like the oil cooler the knock sensors, the starter and any other sensor that I normally would have to do under the car. That also made the job a lot easier.

A bit of shoving and making sure everything was aligned correctly and we got it. I sat the engine down where I could with it tilted, moved the hook to the middle pick up area of the lift plate and sat it down perfectly aligned. Took about 5 hours which wasn't bad for just me and my wife. Not a very fun job without a garage though! Definitely have to thank Jesus Christ on that job!

[booneSS13]

Originally Posted by jjbrooks700

How did the install go?
Setting them in together is the way to go. It's tight, but it works. I made that same type of puller with some scrap i had laying around. Just made a pattern off my valley cover. Worked great.

very nice! How high in the air did you have to get the rear of the car? I was going to try it that way but I didn't have a tall enough jack or jack stands at the time.