LS3 Rocker Install Easiest Way DIY

Watch this video for the easiest way to set up the Ls Rocker arms in your Ls Motor. there is many ways to set up the rocker arms however I found that setting my motor to TDC compression stroke on cyl 1 before I removed the heads set everything up. By doing this the rocker arms are set by following the firing order of the engine and then torqued down to 22 foot pounds.

Sound effects by Epidemic Sound
Royalty-free music by Epidemic Sound

[deankay]

I don’t recall the rocker arm torque spec being shown on screen or talked about. My 5.3L truck engine came to me with no repairs. As a retired ASE Master with 40+ years found an interesting issue. Every single bolt on the timing chain cover was loose. Just a word if doing a drop in job. I used green Loctite on clean bolts. Anyone who builds race engines add a thread locker on almost everything. Vibration and expansion during heat cycles know these bolts can work loose. Just a kind word about what I found. Yours may vary! I wanted to inspect the cam, cam bearings and modify the oil pump. I can’t do a used engine without doing certain things. Comp check, injector cleaning with my factory tools and chemicals on a home stand. With a factory OEM schematic, I used an 8K resistor for VATS for repeat prior to PCM updates. I learned much after a dealer tech, working on EFI vehicles in 78. Yes, two vehicle made for 76 model year had electrical fuel injection with one for each cylinder produced in very large numbers.
Thread locking chemicals can add the the build, I have large bottles for threads, sealant and two different anti-seize. Best to everyone!

[Lovetolivetruely]

Thanks for sharing. I did my rockers today and I used a bore scope to get the number 1 piston to top dead center because I forgot to make sure I did that before I put my heads on but luckily I had that bore scope. Now the only concern is that mine had a teensy weeny bit of play and I think yours did too but correct me if I'm wrong.
Again thanks for sharing.

[Bigtone]

Should your rocker arms be that moveable after torquing down? If mine are not do I have to long of a pushrod?

[MilitaryMatters]

This is either an LS1 or LS2.. Definitely not an LS3.. These are cathedral heads. Could be an LS6, but it looks like an LS2 to be honest. You also can pre-install ALL the rockers/ rods/ lifters at the same time as long as you have done TOP DEAD CENTER first-- however you do not FULLY torque/ tighten them down-- you PRELOAD them first! AFTER PRELOADING ONCE TOP DEAD CENTER IS MET:

1st Step: Tighten the exhaust valve rocker arm bolts 1, 2, 7, and 8 to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).
2nd Step: Tighten the intake valve rocker arm bolts 1, 3, 4, and 5 to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).
3rd Step: Spin the Crankshaft 360 degrees clockwise.
4th Step: Tighten the exhaust valve rocker arm bolts 3, 4, 5, and 6 to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).
5th Step: Tighten the intake valve rocker arm bolts 2, 6, 7, and 8 to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).

You have now properly got your rockers installed buddy! But the method this man did in the video works as well!! The way he did it assures that you AREN'T doing it out of order! Good video!

[Babaden]

Pretty sure that's a ls1 not a ls3. You can tell by the steam vents, rockers arms and cathedral ports. Ls3 have the back 2 steam ports blocked off, rockers are offset, and the intake runners have square ports not cathedral.

[michaelwillyard]

I am confused, the title is ls3 rocker arm install but those are cathedral heads?

[blakeclarkson]

Thanks for the video man! The music made me a little nervous though!

[rockstone]

I have a 2012 silverado with 5.3. i have a miss fire on cylinder 5. i have changed the spark plugs, coil, and coil wire to spark plug, and injector, and nothing helps still a misfire on 5. There is no noise coming from the engine that makes me think it has a loose rocker arm nut. Could it be that the number 5 needs a slight adjustment? It fires when you get above idle but misses at idle. what could be the problem?

[brianbrigg]

Why are you using cathedral port heads on an LS3?

[rexs]

So first tight slightly tight them in the firing order then at the last u do the samething but toqure them to 22 foot pounds in the firing order

[gainz_]

Should all the rocker arms be even once done?

[brandonpage]

Great video! Does the rocker pedestal on these engines have specific orientation? Words up or down?

[sarymam]

why need to rotate the crank to top dead center it not over heads cam

[brandonmaster]

How come my valves are being pushed down all the time when they should be closed at certain positions

[alexz]

What’s the procedure to prime new lifters if they’re being replaced only?

[reality]

So basically when the valve springs are full extended and the pushrods are down you can torque the bolt?

[davidtejada]

What torque ft lbs did you leave them at ?

[michaelbaskinmichael]

I was putting mine and noticed motor is locked up what in world just new rebuild just putting it together for first timer

[danhambrick]

Those powder coated rocker covers look good

[Kian_X]

Ummm everything is on my car and idk how to test if it's dead center ...