[ZR1] Is there an official GM guide to LS9 internals?
03-06-2016, 09:17 AM
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Is there an official GM guide to LS9 internals?
Hopefully, Tadge has the dirt on this...
I recently picked up an LS3 for a project from a parts counter friend. Upon getting the motor home and checking it out, I found the block number was 12621766, which translated to an LS9 not an LS3. The heads say "0821", which is typical LS3, but then again they could be LS9, or a couple of other things. Under the vc, i see 12600821 and a letter K. Not much else to go by.
Before I get all excited, I'm going to pop this thing open and make sure its not just an LS9 block stuffed with whatever parts the guy had sitting in his warehouse to make a sellable long block. I just need a simple, official way to identify things like the crank, rods, and pistons. Maybe a little info on what these heads could be too. Tadge? Anybody?
I recently picked up an LS3 for a project from a parts counter friend. Upon getting the motor home and checking it out, I found the block number was 12621766, which translated to an LS9 not an LS3. The heads say "0821", which is typical LS3, but then again they could be LS9, or a couple of other things. Under the vc, i see 12600821 and a letter K. Not much else to go by.
Before I get all excited, I'm going to pop this thing open and make sure its not just an LS9 block stuffed with whatever parts the guy had sitting in his warehouse to make a sellable long block. I just need a simple, official way to identify things like the crank, rods, and pistons. Maybe a little info on what these heads could be too. Tadge? Anybody?
03-06-2016, 10:27 AM
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03-06-2016, 10:29 AM
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03-06-2016, 12:58 PM
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The heads are a "no brainer". They ARE LS3 as LS9 heads have a completely different cast number. A LS9 head is a different casting all together. They would NOT have a 821 designation.
The block is a LS9.
You can tell if it's a LS9 crank by looking at the bolt pattern at the back. LS9 has a 9 bolt pattern. The LSA crank has a 8 bolt pattern. The standard LS3 type of crank has a 6 bolt pattern.
You answered your own question. Someone put together an engine with a mix of parts on hand.
Hopefully they were smart enough to know about the LS9/LSA oil squirters. If left in the block a LSA oil pump must be used if it is a wet sump. Otherwise you won't have adequate oil pressure. Perhaps they removed and plugged them.
The block is a LS9.
You can tell if it's a LS9 crank by looking at the bolt pattern at the back. LS9 has a 9 bolt pattern. The LSA crank has a 8 bolt pattern. The standard LS3 type of crank has a 6 bolt pattern.
You answered your own question. Someone put together an engine with a mix of parts on hand.
Hopefully they were smart enough to know about the LS9/LSA oil squirters. If left in the block a LSA oil pump must be used if it is a wet sump. Otherwise you won't have adequate oil pressure. Perhaps they removed and plugged them.
Last edited by KENS80V; 03-06-2016 at 01:17 PM.
03-06-2016, 06:05 PM
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Definitely a "mix". I pulled off the heads and found flat tops in there. Crank is a typical 6 bolt flange, pn 12552216. I didn't see any oil squirters but then I really don't know where to look to be certain. I have no idea if the main caps are the original LS9 or just "whatever" the guy had laying around.
03-06-2016, 11:33 PM
#6
Burning Brakes
Definitely a "mix". I pulled off the heads and found flat tops in there. Crank is a typical 6 bolt flange, pn 12552216. I didn't see any oil squirters but then I really don't know where to look to be certain. I have no idea if the main caps are the original LS9 or just "whatever" the guy had laying around.
Not sure about the caps. Typically internal engine GM factory markings are done with a bright orange marker. You should see numbers and arrows on each cap indicating its location and the direction it should face.
03-07-2016, 07:04 AM
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Pull the oil pan and you'll see the squirters. They are at the bottom of each cylinder held on with one bolt per squirter. They have little nozzles that are aimed at the bottom of the piston, you'll know it when you see them.
Not sure about the caps. Typically internal engine GM factory markings are done with a bright orange marker. You should see numbers and arrows on each cap indicating its location and the direction it should face.
Not sure about the caps. Typically internal engine GM factory markings are done with a bright orange marker. You should see numbers and arrows on each cap indicating its location and the direction it should face.
No squirters on this block that I can see anywhere. I wonder if squirters only appear in factory vehicle applications? That is, do the squirters come standard on this block if the block is purchased at the parts counter, or are they only available on a true LS9 full assembly out of a ZR1? I don't even see machined locations for squirters.
No orange markings that I can see, though each cap has a sequence number and orientation carat on it.
03-07-2016, 09:16 PM
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I've looked all over the inside of the block - at least, at everything not obscured by the crankshaft - and I see no squirters, nor any provision for them in the block.
Right about now, I have to wonder just what the hell this thing is. How could an LS9 block not have the squirters? Is there any chance this thing slipped out of the foundry without getting machined for squirters? Or is it more possible that an LS3 block accidentally got the wrong number stamped into it?
Right about now, I have to wonder just what the hell this thing is. How could an LS9 block not have the squirters? Is there any chance this thing slipped out of the foundry without getting machined for squirters? Or is it more possible that an LS3 block accidentally got the wrong number stamped into it?
03-07-2016, 10:14 PM
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Drifting
There were all sorts of images available that may help identify the mounting locations and machining for them.
03-10-2016, 09:08 PM
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