Just last week I blew my head gasket @ 88k miles. I decided to replace my heads (gave old ones to my friend) and an LT4 HOT cam. Yesterday, my friend and I took apart the top end - this is when we found out it was cylinder 8 that had the leak (because it was very clean and had some antifreeze).

With the heads removed, we looked at my pistons. There was a good amount of black flaky crap all over each piston head (except #8 of course). All 8 move slightly when pressure is applied to either the top or the bottom of the piston head with my thumb - and then go back to the original position. NOT GOOD. We think the black stuff is dried oil which leaked from the bottom due to worn out piston rings. Also, I have noticed a big decrease in power lately - suggesting that I may be losing compression because of this.

This sux because now I have no choice but to rebuild my LT1. Our plan thus far is to upgrade the crankshaft bearings, install forged H beam pistons, piston rings, and forged rods.

Does anyone have any experience removing the engine and/or rebuilding it? I plan to drop it using an engine lift. Is it true that it is easier to remove the LT1 from the bottom then trying to do it from the top?? What equipment and tools will I need?

If anyone has anything to tell me plz do - I need all the help I can get! Thanks in advance.

 

I pulled my engine out from the top. If you go that route PULL OFF THE INTAKE and the oil filter. I pulled my tranny and engine at the same time. It was not that bad.......took a few hours.

 

Nice this is good news. I have everything but the bottom-end removed. Was your tranny attached to your engine when you pulled it all out? Did you have to tip the engine upward to get it out? Can you give me more details?

Anyone know where I could buy an engine lift?

 

Pulling the engine threads are abundant. A search should find you info on going out the top or bottom.