Cylinder Block Assembly: Testing and Inspection
1. Use the following procedure in order to disassemble the engine oil gallery plugs and cooling jacket plugs:
a. Obtain a suitable self threading screw.
b. Drill a hole into the plug.
c. Install the self-threading screw.
d. Use the screw in order to pry out the plug.
2. Disassemble the coolant drain plugs.
3. Disassemble the camshaft bearings.
CAUTION: Caustic cleaning solution destroys the bearing material. All bearings must be replaced after cleaning with a caustic solution. Do not clean bearing material or aluminum parts with caustic solutions.
4. Clean the sealing material from the mating surfaces.
5. Boil the cylinder block in caustic solution.
6. Flush the cylinder block with clean water or steam.
7. Clean the oil passages.
8. Clean all blind holes.
9. Spray the cylinder bores and the machine surfaces with engine oil.
10. Use a straight edge and a feeler sage in order to inspect the deck surface for flatness. Carefully machine minor irregularities. Replace the block if more than a 0.254 mm (0.010 inch) must be removed.
11. Inspect the oil pan rail for nicks. Inspect the front cover attaching area for nicks. Use a flat mill file in order to remove any nicks.
CAUTION: A broken flexplate may result if the transmission case mating surface is not flat.
12. Inspect the mating surfaces of the transmission case.
13. Temporarily install the crankshaft. Measure the crankshaft flange runout.
14. Use the following procedure in order to measure the cylinder block flange runout at the six mounting hole bosses:
a. Hold the gauge plate flat against the crankshaft flange.
b. Place the dial indicator stem on the transmission mounting bolt hole boss. set the indicator to O.
c. Record the readings obtained from all of the bolt hole bosses. The measurements should not vary more than 0.054 mm (0.010 inch).
d. Recheck the crankshaft flange runout if the readings vary more than 0.254 mm (0.010 inch).
15. Inspect the threaded holes. Clean the holes with a tap. If necessary, drill out the holes and install thread inserts.
NOTE: Recondition the cylinder block with the main bearing caps and the main side bolts installed and tightened to specification.
16. Ensure that the main bearing caps are installed correctly. The arrows should point toward the front of the engine.
17. Inspect the bearing bores. Use a bore gauge in order to measure the bore concentricity and alignment at the following locations:
^ The camshaft The crankshaft
^ Replace the cylinder block if the bores are out of specification.
^ If the outside of the bearing inserts display minor high spots, remove the bearing inserts carefully.
18. Use the Cylinder Bore Checking Gauge in order to inspect the cylinder bores. Inspect for the following items:
^ Wear
^ Taper
^ Run-out
^ Ridging
NOTE: If the bore is worn beyond the limits, refit the bore with oversized pistons. Select the smallest available oversize piston.
19. Leave sufficient material in order to allow honing when fitting the piston.
20. If the bore is glazed but serviceable, break the glaze lightly with a hone. Replace the piston rings.
21. Make sure the honing stones are clean, sharp and straight. Move the hone slowly up and down in order to create a cross-hatch pattern. Clean the bore with soap and water. Dry the bore. Rub the bore with clean engine oil. Remeasure the bore.
22. Assemble the engine oil gallery plugs and the coolant jacket plugs. Apply a GM approved sealer or the equivalent.
23. Assemble the coolant drain plug. Tighten the coolant drain plug to 18 Nm (13 ft. lbs.).
24. Assemble the camshaft bearings.