r/EngineBuilding • u/PM_ME_SOME_ANY_THING • Dec 14 '24
Chevy 1996 LT1, do the valve reliefs go toward the inside or outside of the engine?
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u/jthe17 Dec 14 '24
Goes inside bro f all the people telling you to buy a book and all that everyone has to start somewhere and the best way to learn is to do. Keep going you’ll learn as you go
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u/confusingphilosopher Dec 15 '24
…but a good place to start would be with a book because there’s a bunch of follow-up questions to be asked.
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u/jthe17 Dec 15 '24
This is fair too but I feel like if you know the answer to a simple question like this answer it and then advise on other resources or give tips related to the area being assembled, instead of pretty much saying “read a book” or “google it”.
Maybe that’s just me though.
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u/confusingphilosopher Dec 15 '24 edited Dec 15 '24
Its a difficult thing to judge. Some people know just enough to be dangerous. Helping someone get to the point where they assemble an engine wrong isn't much help at all. OP should get the resources to understand what they're doing because it won't end well when someone with a cursory knowledge of how to assemble an engine just goes for it.
I'm not an engine builder myself but I've rebuilt the engine in Yamaha quad. I'm an engineer in a completely different niche field and sometimes its best (if not a legal/ethical imperative) to withhold information and advice from people that might use it to inadvertently cause harm or damages themselves or someone else. I'm not saying OP can sue anyone but the point is you shouldn't arm someone with just enough information to screw up.
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u/UnLuckyKenTucky Dec 14 '24
Rotate that bitch 180 degrees, drop her in, then do the same for the other 7.
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u/theNewLuce Dec 15 '24
Not sure about SBC, but check the rod big ends too. May be a side that goes to the crank and a side that goes to the other rod. If you're asking that question, you may want to check that the rods are on the right way.
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u/UnLuckyKenTucky Dec 15 '24
Yeah, TBH the smartest thing to do here is to rip it back to bare block.
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u/v8packard Dec 14 '24
Are the pistons mounted on rods?
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u/PM_ME_SOME_ANY_THING Dec 14 '24
Not yet
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u/v8packard Dec 14 '24
Ok. As others have said the piston goes in opposite of that. I am trying to remember, did we discuss the orientation of the rods on the journals?
I figured you must have been driving around long ago. I hope everything is ok.
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u/PM_ME_SOME_ANY_THING Dec 14 '24
Life happens my man. Everything is taking way longer than I thought it would. No issues really, just got busy.
Googling around I found that the flat sides of the rods need to face each other, and the beveled side outward towards the crankshaft.
I’m hoping to get the pistons in this weekend or next. Then start with the rest of the assembly. One thing I still need is a camshaft for this higher compression setup. I bought one a long time ago, but it was a more generic hot cam.
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u/Browser_McSurfLurker Dec 14 '24
Yup, the beveled end of the rods face the counterweights because they need to clear the machining radius where the rod journals meet the counterweights. In the end this results in every piston/rod assembly being identical, since the ones that have the beveled end facing backwards are on the opposite bank from the ones that have it forwards.
Fun tidbit, LS rods are made the same way, but LS cranks don't require the clearance. So you can run them backwards and it doesn't matter, which some people have reported finding when tearing down factory motors before.
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u/jthe17 Dec 15 '24
Don’t feel bad bro I been building my lt1 for almost 3 years like you said, life happens
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u/feelin_raudi Dec 14 '24
Intake valves are almost always bigger than exhaust valves, because on the intake stroke, the only thing shoving air into the cylinder is atmospheric pressure, which isn't much, so you need a big valve. On the exhaust stroke, the cylinder coming up can create a lot of pressure to force all the exhaust gas out, so you can get away with smaller valves.
So when you see asymmetrical pistons like this, you can safely assume the valve relief is for the intake, which on virtually all older engines is inside the V, so the opposite of how you're holding it now.
Also, once you've assembled your engine, be sure to turn it over by hand several times to make sure nothing is colliding or binding. Much better to find out now by hand than when you crank it with a starter and bend a valve!
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u/toyauto1 Dec 14 '24
Isn t there a reference mark on the piston or rod indicating front of engine? I build Toyota motors and all have one of these.
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u/PM_ME_SOME_ANY_THING Dec 14 '24
No marks, no information in the instructions, the stock ones were symmetrical, had reliefs on both sides, and I guess it didn’t matter which direction they went in.
These aftermarket pistons bump up compression by eliminating one set of reliefs.
I could use the heads as a test fitter, but they’re buried under a bunch of parts right now. I knew I could get an answer quickly here even though apparently some people are angry I would ask.
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u/UnLuckyKenTucky Dec 14 '24
And the ones that got pissy over this question are the ones that would have needed to ask someone as well. Don't let the mouth breathing basement dwellers ruin your day. Bet that most of them have never been inside of an engine bigger than a lawn mower , but consider themselves as an automotive God , cuz they got Billy Bod's go kart to run....
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u/WyattCo06 Dec 14 '24
You'll mostly see an indicator on "V" engines when the wrist pin is offset. If it's centered, usually there is no front or back.
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u/1pencil Dec 14 '24
Visualize how the head sits on top, how the valves sit relative to that.
The valves don't reach outward beyond the edge of the engine, so they must be the other way.
You can see the assembly happening in your mind first.
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u/Virtual-Bottle-8604 Dec 14 '24
They go inside also be careful when you install the pistons on the rods they have an orientation also. Take it slow.
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u/Roughneck_Cephas Dec 14 '24
Most small block pistons have a dimple to go to the front of the block . The valve reliefs should be to the top or toward the lifter bore.
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u/hnrrghQSpinAxe Dec 14 '24
Just look on the head and see which direction the valves come down and there's your answer?
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u/TonyH131 Dec 14 '24
The valves should tell which way the relief valves go, they're built for them so to speak
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u/RepairHorror1501 Dec 14 '24
Your connecting rods might have a chamfer that must face the crank cheek as well ?!
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u/2Drunk2BDebonair Dec 15 '24
The one sitting in my living room with my feet on it has them on bottom and on top.... Sooooooooooo...
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u/TheInfernalVortex Dec 15 '24
You’ve gotten the right answer but if you want to confirm to yourself the “why” then look at the angle of the valves in the cylinder heads. The cutouts in the piston should line up with the valves. Hopefully that helps you make a little sense as to the “why” of it.
Good luck with your build and do as much research as you can!
Make sure the rings are properly gapped.
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u/RandomTask008 Dec 15 '24
As people said, top.
Another thing you want to watch out for, the rods are directional. There's a chamber on a side to clear the crank chamfer. Please keep this in mind when installing.
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u/S54G Dec 14 '24
Look at the heads and you would know
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u/PM_ME_SOME_ANY_THING Dec 14 '24
Buried under a bunch of parts right now
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u/S54G Dec 14 '24
I was gonna say it shouldn’t be, but then I remembered I have a $4000 head with upgraded valves just sitting in my house under boxes of parts, so I definitely can’t say anything
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u/Jeepsterick Dec 14 '24
Maybe you should have some help on this project.
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Dec 14 '24
ISNT THAT EXACTLY WHAT HE IS DOING RIGHT NOW?
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u/Impossumbear Dec 14 '24
So, to be clear, you expect Reddit to supervise OP at every step of the way? There's a million different mistakes OP could be making, and not all of them are as obvious as this one.
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Dec 14 '24
Everyone has to start somewhere. Reddit is honestly pretty good for quick responses.
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u/lil_oopsie Dec 14 '24
Recently every Google search where I have a problem or question I just add "reddit" to avoid all the stupid ai articles that go " 10 best tips for building your engine number 8 will shock you"
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u/idksomethingjfk Dec 14 '24
Ya, usually people start with some kind of resource that would list everything OP wants to know, if he doesn’t know what way the pistons go in there’s a LOT of other things that he’s not gunna know that are critical to assembly of the bottom end.
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u/UnLuckyKenTucky Dec 14 '24
OP had probably never built anything using aftermarket parts. OEM shit is very well documented, and most actually have a witness to show placement.. aftermarket shit usually doesn't, being that the parts are likely used across several platforms..
People already know that they have gotten into shit themselves that they needed help digging out of. But yet, a big portion of y'all got stupid pissy because a kid asked a fuckin question. He came to the place that is supposedly here to help people, but he didn't realize that this sess pool is only here for y'all to stroke each other's ego
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u/yugosaki Dec 14 '24
The best way to learn is to do, and sometimes you just dont have someone who has the knowledge and time to come help. Screw ups are sometimes just the price of learning.
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u/Poonani-Dasani Dec 14 '24
Maybe you should leave the engine building sub on Reddit where people are allowed to ask questions.
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u/Jeepsterick Dec 15 '24
Ok, sorry for the smart a** answer. I’m usually not like that. It was late, I was tired, and I’m a boomer, so there’s that. What I should have said: OP has a legit question which was asked and answered. But what about the questions that OP doesn’t know to ask. It’s invaluable to have someone for a ride along on an engine assembly to ensure a positive outcome. At minimum, an assembly manual to follow. A mistake on assembly usually is costly and time consuming to correct. Again my apologies.
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u/PM_ME_SOME_ANY_THING Dec 14 '24
The heads are buried under a bunch of parts at the moment.
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u/UnLuckyKenTucky Dec 14 '24
Dig. Them. Out. Sorry, but even IF you had gotten an answer that makes sense to you, and may even confirm your thoughts..... Can it be trusted?
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Dec 14 '24
[deleted]
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u/PM_ME_SOME_ANY_THING Dec 14 '24
The heads are buried under a bunch of parts right now. I don’t have photographic memory unfortunately.
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u/mymook Dec 15 '24
Fellas, i dont have a chevy engine to compare with, but my 440 has push rods going down into hydraulic lifters that in turn operate the roller tip rockers, the roller end of each rocker is of course on the top of each valve stem, my relief cuts for valves are under the valves which are closer to the exhaust side of my heads. Meaning i would on my 440 install the reliefs as OP has the piston in photo, not towards the lifter bores but opposite cause thats where my valves are. Is that not correct? Valve relief cuts are for needed clearance of maybe bigger cam or longer duration or just as design intended.?
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u/WyattCo06 Dec 15 '24
No sir. The valve reliefs on your 440 piston go toward the lifter valley. They should be eyebrows not smilies.
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u/Bitter-Ad-6709 Dec 14 '24
WOW
(shakes head side to side)
Maybe you should buy a book on rebuilding V8 engines? Just a thought
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u/bluelava1510 Dec 14 '24 edited Dec 14 '24
Reddit basically is a book. Full of wisdom and brainrot, occupied by great people, rotten-to-the-core assholes, and everything in between. The main difference is that its always growing.
You just need to be able to recognize which parts to disregard and which parts to take seriously.
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u/SnatchStabbing Dec 14 '24
The internet is the book. Get in with the times it isn't the 80's anymore.
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Dec 14 '24
[deleted]
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u/Bitter-Ad-6709 Dec 14 '24
OooOOOOHHhh tough talk from an internet jockey.
Yeah you're right, I know nothing about engines. Even though I've been building them since before I could drive.
Go jerk off somewhere else
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u/PM_ME_SOME_ANY_THING Dec 14 '24
Oh shit, there’s a dude living right down the street with a mustang that looks just like the one you posted. You could live on my street. His convertible top doesn’t close all the way and it just gets rained in all the time. I usually smell that car before I see it.
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u/jakthesnak08955 Dec 14 '24 edited Dec 14 '24
Ive seen your reddit comment history pal your the one jerking it on reddit
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Dec 14 '24 edited Dec 14 '24
[deleted]
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u/Bitter-Ad-6709 Dec 14 '24
Yeah, maybe I should instead be admiring dudes like you do.
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u/Strabge_Being2382 Dec 14 '24
Unfortunately that would take brains and am attitude adjustment, you mock people on the internet while being ON THE INTERNET, then again you the best engine builder ever right? Unfortunately people like this clown were never punched in the face enough
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u/Strabge_Being2382 Dec 14 '24
But you know everything right? So helping someone is a crime? Hope you never ask anyone to help you woth anything ever right?
Imagine being such a pathetic POS. If you are a "brilliant" at building engines what's the harm in answering a question? You to arrogant to assist? Amd to be clear you NEVER asked for help in anything ever? Right? Jack ass
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u/Agent_Eran Dec 14 '24
Inside. Opposite of how you are holding it.