Project: LS1ick68

[George C]

did that motor have composite headgasket on it?
how sure are you of the year on that motor?

02 Ls1s typically had MLS gaskets and if you look in the valley of that motor you see a BOSS that is on the early LS1s. When installing a LS6 valley cover this needs removed. In 01+ they started using LS6 blocks in Fbodys but the Ls1s of those yrs also go the treatment of not having that boss in the valley

MS3 is a beast of a cam and can be made to make great power and have good drivability.

also a blue 68 is a sick truck...one day i hope to have one

[Slick68]

did that motor have composite headgasket on it?
how sure are you of the year on that motor?

02 Ls1s typically had MLS gaskets and if you look in the valley of that motor you see a BOSS that is on the early LS1s. When installing a LS6 valley cover this needs removed. In 01+ they started using LS6 blocks in Fbodys but the Ls1s of those yrs also go the treatment of not having that boss in the valley

MS3 is a beast of a cam and can be made to make great power and have good drivability.

also a blue 68 is a sick truck...one day i hope to have one

Not really sure what kind of head gaskets were on it. They were removed before I got the engine. No I'm really not for sure what the engine came from. Are there some stamping #'s I need to look for to know exactly what I have? The LS1 valley cover I got from zebra( came off his Vette, I beleive.) fits just fine.

I know the MS3 is a great cam, but I'm afraid it's going to be too much cam for my particular application. If I could get by with about a 2500-2800 stall with it, I'd run it. I'm just worried that with the TH350 and 3.07 gears, it will come into power too late to use it where I need it.

Here's a better pic of my truck.

[George C]

MS3 is best used with a 4000-4400 stall, 430s minimal gearing. Even TSP site says similar.
LS1 valley cover is different then the LS6 valley cover as it doesnt have a breather setup built into it. your motor is fine as long as its not a 97-98 as those are the weak rod bolt motors and weaker rods in general. Youll be fine but just pointing out the obvious. To be honest a 2800 stall is best used with a stock cam when being NA but for a cruiser then it makes sense. if you want something that just makes some sound and little bit of go then look into the thumper cams. Some are made to work with stock stalls.

Not really sure what kind of head gaskets were on it. They were removed before I got the engine. No I'm really not for sure what the engine came from. Are there some stamping #'s I need to look for to know exactly what I have? The LS1 valley cover I got from zebra( came off his Vette, I beleive.) fits just fine.

I know the MS3 is a great cam, but I'm afraid it's going to be too much cam for my particular application. If I could get by with about a 2500-2800 stall with it, I'd run it. I'm just worried that with the TH350 and 3.07 gears, it will come into power too late to use it where I need it.

Here's a better pic of my truck.

[Slick68]

What about the GM Hot Cam? How would it work with a carb'd setup? What stall would be best with it? Will my double valvesprings be ok with the Hot Cam?

I really just want something a little hotter than stock, but with a slightly lopey idle.

[pl4yboy]

What about the GM Hot Cam? How would it work with a carb'd setup? What stall would be best with it? Will my double valvesprings be ok with the Hot Cam?

I really just want something a little hotter than stock, but with a slightly lopey idle.

I've seen maybe 2-3 people satisfied with the GMPP Hotcam in my 6-7 years of doing this kind of thing. Honestly, there's nothing wrong with a good old tried and true TR220. 2800 stall would work well with it.

[andy6945]

You have a beautiful truck! This is off the subject, but what color and paint code is your truck? Very sharp!

[Slick68]

OK, I got the old engine/trans out Friday evening. I was going to wait until Saturday morning, but the weather man said Friday would be somewhat nice(at least for Feburary) with a high of around 50 deg. But, it was supposed to start raining late Friday night and turn into snow, then the high for Sat. was only going to be around 34 deg. I know for some of you guys up north, that's probably t-shirt weather but for us southern boys, that's just too dang cold!! Especially for me. I'm turning into a bit of a wuss when it comes to cold weather. :embarrassed: So, I pulled the engine while the weather was tolerable.

Almost out!


Finally out!!



Looks like I have a lot of degreasing to do. :grin:




TH350 in all it's grimy glory.


I'm not so sure if I'm gonna stay with the TH350 now, though. It was built in 2001 and has served me well and has no issues, but it has started leaking alot in the past couple weeks of just sitting. I'm sure it could use all new seals and gaskets, a filter change, and an overall checkup. All of this is gonna run me about $200. I'm also going to have to change to some kind of stall converter, which will be about another +/-$200. That's going to be about $400 in this trans. and I can get a 700R4 built for about $900. I figure I might as well just spend the extra money on the 700R4 and be done with it.

[Slick68]

You have a beautiful truck! This is off the subject, but what color and paint code is your truck? Very sharp!

Thanks! The color is called Atlantic Blue Pearl. The color is from the 04-08 Dodge Ram trucks. The Chrysler color code is PBJ.

[Slick68]

Some more parts in!

Here's the adapter kit to mate the engine to an older trans.


coil packs


windage tray and pickup tube


rear cover



MSD 6010 ignition controller

[custom 68]

Matt, looking good. I swapped in a 5.3 in mine about 5 years ago. It is a great addition. I stayed Fuel injected. They are great motors.