GM LS Engine Build - Oil Pan and Cylinder Heads

Like the rear cover, we placed all the bolts through the gasket, slid the front cover over the crank snout, and then used the front hub tool to help align the seal over the snout. Again, we just snugged the bolts.
Like the rear cover, we placed all the bolts through the gasket, slid the front cover over
With the block upside down, we used a straightedge to ensure that the front and rear covers were roughly 0.010 inch below the oil pan rail. Since the pan overlaps both covers, this clearance ensures the pan will sit flush.
With the block upside down, we used a straightedge to ensure that the front and rear cover
We trimmed the Moroso windage tray to clear the pickup and covered everything with this pan. We went with this Moroso version because it offers a slight taper from front to the rear, which previous testing has proven to be worth some horsepower.
We trimmed the Moroso windage tray to clear the pickup and covered everything with this pa

LS engines use these cool plastic guides that not only locate the lifters but also allow you to swap the cam without having to pull the intake. Make sure to slip the lifters into the guides and install them before the head gaskets and heads. You cannot access the lifters once the heads are installed.
LS engines use these cool plastic guides that not only locate the lifters but also allow y
The heads require multilayer steel (MLS) gaskets, so we went with a set from Victor-Reinz that measure 0.053 inch thick. The ARP head studs are installed finger tight using the broached Allen wrench socket fixture in the end of the studs. Note that the gasket should read front on both banks to make sure the gasket is oriented properly. There are specific left- and right-side gaskets.
The heads require multilayer steel (MLS) gaskets, so we went with a set from Victor-Reinz
For the initial engine test, we wanted to see how much power we could make with the extra inches with stock 6.0L heads. All we added were Comp valvesprings, steel retainers, and stronger pushrods. This also allowed us to reuse the stock GM 1.7:1 investment cast rocker arms. Because this is a net lash system, just torque the rocker bolts and you're done.
For the initial engine test, we wanted to see how much power we could make with the extra

Bolting on the intake manifold is dead-cinch easy. We used a Fel-Pro intake gasket and we didn't need RTV because of the lifter valley cover.
Bolting on the intake manifold is dead-cinch easy. We used a Fel-Pro intake gasket and we
Here is Lester Scruggs dressed to thrill, including our new Professional Products balancer and new Rock Auto water pump. As a teaser, we dyno'd this package and with stock 6.0L heads, this cam, an Edelbrock intake, and an 850 Holley carb and header package, Lester pumped out 480 hp at 5,500 and 481 lb-ft, making 400 lb-ft or more from 2,200 to 6,000 rpm. We'll go through all the testing next month, but here's a hint: We made a ton more power.
Here is Lester Scruggs dressed to thrill, including our new Professional Products balancer

Final Assembly
Now that the short-block is complete, there are just a few more steps to bringing Lester Scruggs to life. All factory LS engines use torque-to-yield head bolts that can only be used once. Since this engine is destined for multiple cylinder head tests, we opted for a set of ARP heads studs. Another excellent reason to use the studs is to eliminate the problem of blind head boltholes. Coolant or water that seeps into the head boltholes while bolts are installed can cause a hydraulic situation when the head bolts are torqued that can crack aluminum or iron blocks. The ARP head studs eliminate that possibility.

Torque Specs
The following values are a combination of factory and aftermarket fastener torque specs as employed on this engine. The specs for the main and head studs came from ARP and cannot and should not be used with factory fasteners. All ARP torque numbers are with the ARP moly lube. All torque values are in ft-lb unless noted.

Fastener	Torque Value
ARP main studs	Inner, 60
	Outer, 50
	Side, 20
ARP rod bolt stretch	0.0046 inch
ARP head studs	M11, 70
ARP head studs	M8, 23
ARP crank bolt	235 ft-lb
Flywheel	74 (15-37-74)
Cam sprocket	26
Oil pump to block	18
Oil pump cover	106 in-lb
Oil pump pickup to oil pump	106 in-lb
Oil pan M8 (to block)	18
Oil pan M6 (to rear cover)	106 in-lb
Front and rear covers	18
Intake manifold	89 in-lb
Rocker arm bolts	22
Valve cover	106 in-lb