1950 GMC - LS1 on the level?

[crusinforty]

Putting an LS1 in our 50 GMC with orginal frame and a MII, could anyone tell me the best way to get it level in the frame? Thanks!!!

[solidaxel]

I think with the transmission attached to the engine you want the tail shaft to be at 3* down and the engine to have clearance for frame and steering shaft, check your level at the valve cover rail E. & West, that is what works for me

[OrrieG]

If the intake is on it use that for front to back and side to side. As previous said engine axis and trans will be about 3-4 degrees down. Usually the front engine mounts are set and trans cross member adjusted to get the level. Other factors are clearance to firewall for dist (room for removal not just static location), valve cover and trans. Lots of threads on header/exhaust to steering issues too.

[crusinforty]

Thanks Gents! I have the 3 degrees portion of the placement, uses an inclinomenter off the tail end of the trans. Whats seems to be elusive is the East/West or side to side level. I have set early small blocks off the intake but there seems to be no good flat area to the LS1? If I look across the bottom front side of the oil pan it looks to be on an angle? So far I just stand back from it and eye ball it and it looks right. Just thought there was a measurement/location that would be closer than that. Appreciate the advise!!!

[BlueJeep]

If you take the intake off the lifter valley cover is a good thing to measure off of. That's what I did.

[crusinforty]

Thanks Bluejeep! I will give that a try!!!!!

[solidaxel]

IF you remove the intake to expose the valley check it against the valve cover rail and see if it is the same plane.
IF you remove the intake DO you have to replace the gaskets?
I have not gotten to my LS engine that far yet, just asking?

[OrrieG]

This just dawned on me looking at the engine photo. Could you use the bottom of the trans pan? I would assume that is intended to be level side to side.

[BlueJeep]

Here's a pic of mine when I was setting it up. I used the lifter valley cover plate to get my side-to-side and my front-to-back measurements where I wanted them.



Solidaxle, it's different than a SBC in that the intake only connects to the heads, it doesn't seal at all to the lifter valley. There is a separate plate that covers that area. From doing some reading, it sounds like 5.3 intake gaskets are a good thing to replace anyway, so I replaced mine.

[dwcsr]

get your in chassis center line from the tail shaft center hole and the damper bolt center. L/R level off the oil pan or trans pan or rear trans mount. Drive line pitch off the tail shaft face with your inclinometer.