2003 Tahoe coolant system leak or head gasket leak?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

OP
OP
T

tomloans

Full Access Member
Joined
May 29, 2015
Posts
291
Reaction score
273
I have a couple of alignment guides stuck in my old cylinder heads. Is there another option. Thinking of cutting the heads off of a couple of the old bolts.
 

iamdub

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2016
Posts
20,821
Reaction score
44,945
Location
Li'l Weezyana
I have a couple of alignment guides stuck in my old cylinder heads. Is there another option. Thinking of cutting the heads off of a couple of the old bolts.

Just get new ones. Amazon and Summit show to have them in stock: https://www.amazon.com/Cylinder-Install-Alignment-Dowel-551275/dp/B014B0O2OE

 

iamdub

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2016
Posts
20,821
Reaction score
44,945
Location
Li'l Weezyana
LS engines rely on a low RA surface finish to seal with the MLS gaskets. I use a razor blade scraper and fine grit plastic brushes and chemicals to clean an iron block deck. I almost always have the heads professionally resurfaced/milled. Stuff like this:


img_0922-jpg.jpg

81y6IB4KfPL._SL1500_.jpg

712JHcrijxL._AC_SL1500_.jpg
 
OP
OP
T

tomloans

Full Access Member
Joined
May 29, 2015
Posts
291
Reaction score
273
No Rtv on the head gaskets correct? It looks likethe bolts are 22 ft lbs, 90 second turn and then 70 final. Rocker arms are also 22 ft lbs as well? Seems a little much for those little bolts. Any wierd idiosyncrasies you all can think of before they go back on.
 
OP
OP
T

tomloans

Full Access Member
Joined
May 29, 2015
Posts
291
Reaction score
273
No Rtv on the head gaskets correct? It looks likethe bolts are 22 ft lbs, 90 second turn and then 70 final. Rocker arms are also 22 ft lbs as well? Seems a little much for those little bolts. Any wierd idiosyncrasies you all can think of before they go back on.
It looks like i have the two shorter head bolts on the outer holes. Is it 22lbs, 90, 90 for all bolts but the shorter two last pass is 50degrees?

The top small 10 mm bolts are one pass 22lbs. Just want to be sure I am reading this correctly. Thank you.
 
OP
OP
T

tomloans

Full Access Member
Joined
May 29, 2015
Posts
291
Reaction score
273
It looks like rocker arm bolts are 22ftlb and then a 360 degree crank turn and check again?
 
OP
OP
T

tomloans

Full Access Member
Joined
May 29, 2015
Posts
291
Reaction score
273
OK so there is a lot of confusing info out there. It appears torque specs depends on what version of LS engine you have. Really just need rocker arm specs and procedure along with head bolts spec and procedure. There are also 5 smaller bolts above the head as well that I found needs on pass at 22lbs and is the last thing you do?

I have a 2003 tahoe with two short bolts in the head. Not sure what generation this motor is. Thank you.
 
OP
OP
T

tomloans

Full Access Member
Joined
May 29, 2015
Posts
291
Reaction score
273
Thank you Snowdrifter. Curious would you reuse rocker arms and bolts if they have 210k miles on them?
 

Forum statistics

Threads
132,376
Posts
1,867,002
Members
97,012
Latest member
Roscoe2352

Latest posts

Top