Shady mechanic?

**azbird** · 12-04-2008, 08:30 AM

I recently had quite a bit of work done on my car including a head/cam swap. My car is a 2001 Firebird Formula. I had requested a custom grind cam and ls6 heads which is what I paid for and had installed. About a week later I was cleaning my engine bay and noticed the casting number on the passenger side head was shaved off and the driver side read 853, ls1 heads. I just wanted to make sure my information is correct before I accuse my mechanic of anything shady, and if I am correct what type of action do I pursue?

**WS6ICK** · 12-04-2008, 08:59 AM

As far as I know LS6 heads are 243's.

**SOMbitch** · 12-04-2008, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by WS6ICK

As far as I know LS6 heads are 243's.

You are correct sir. 853's are LS1 heads.

**mark21742** · 12-04-2008, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by SOMbitch

You are correct sir. 853's are LS1 heads.

true. if I'm correct they are off of a 5.3l ls1 truck motor. if ported with bigger valves put in they are still a very good budget head and bump you up about .5 on the compression, but stock they don't flow as good with smaller ports and valves

**supaxero** · 12-04-2008, 08:51 PM

That's sucks! If your not the one doing the work, Its a good idea to purchase the parts you want put on your ride and find some you can trust to install it.

**SOMbitch** · 12-05-2008, 07:19 AM

5.3 head casting #'s = 706/895/ and 862 which was also used on some 4.8's.

LS1 casting #'s are 806 (the perimeter bolt heads) 853/ 241. 241's used a better casting process and will make a couple more ponies stock than 853's but once ported they are the same.

243's are the LS6/ LS2 heads and the most desirable factory casting.

The 5.3 truck motors do not carry the LS1 designation. Not sure what the Aluminum 5.3's are called but the 5.3 iron block in my Z-71 is designated LM7 for instance.

**shady milkman** · 12-05-2008, 07:21 AM

why dont you like my mechanic work ?

**blk_jaws** · 12-05-2008, 08:08 AM

yep 853 are LS1 heads I have them, the LS6 heads are 243. He's screwing you, or he dont know LS1's that good

**mark21742** · 12-05-2008, 08:16 AM

Originally Posted by SOMbitch

5.3 head casting #'s = 706/895/ and 862 which was also used on some 4.8's.

LS1 casting #'s are 806 (the perimeter bolt heads) 853/ 241. 241's used a better casting process and will make a couple more ponies stock than 853's but once ported they are the same.

243's are the LS6/ LS2 heads and the most desirable factory casting.

The 5.3 truck motors do not carry the LS1 designation. Not sure what the Aluminum 5.3's are called but the 5.3 iron block in my Z-71 is designated LM7 for instance.

hey SOMbitch thanks for the part # info

**chevyss1234** · 12-05-2008, 08:53 AM

i don't know a ton about heads but 243 is an ls6 head. If the head doesn't have that number it is not an ls6 head. there's a bunch of threads sayin that's the 99-00 camaro ls1 head so someone owe's you some money. i'd make him pay for 243 heads and the installation at a different shop. oh i'd be so mad man.

http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread...light=853+head

**SOMbitch** · 12-05-2008, 09:01 AM

Originally Posted by mark21742

hey SOMbitch thanks for the part # info

Glad to help!!

**azbird** · 12-05-2008, 09:25 AM

Wow, you guys are awesome. Im headed down to his shop now and I will keep you updated on what goes down. Im gonna see what excuses he has and tell him to pay for 243 heads and installation somewhere else like what was suggested.

**mark21742** · 12-05-2008, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by SOMbitch

Glad to help!!

theare just too damb many part numbers to remember around here lol

**blackbirdbrain89** · 12-05-2008, 05:23 PM

watch out for some 4.8/5.3 heads, the have a little bullet looking logo under the rocker rail. they some times leek coolent in to the oil

**0verkill** · 12-05-2008, 05:30 PM

always ask for you old parts back and mark them. that way you know that they did the work.

**chevyss1234** · 12-06-2008, 10:51 AM

well i think the mechanic actually downgraded his heads if there are now 853 heads on there. So there were still a set of heads to give back him. I'll bet the 853 heads are ported or something, and the mechanic figured there would be some performance gain and you'd never know that they weren't the actual ones performance heads you ordered or asked for, i dunno....

azbird whatever happened?

**JaycenK** · 12-06-2008, 12:25 PM

any news yet?

**ls1camino** · 12-06-2008, 03:18 PM

This is why I do all my own work...

IF I was to ever have a mechanic work on my car, I would provide the mechanic with the parts...too many people out there cutting corners and scamming people so they can make some extra money.

**0verkill** · 12-06-2008, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by ls1camino

This is why I do all my own work...

IF I was to ever have a mechanic work on my car, I would provide the mechanic with the parts...too many people out there cutting corners and scamming people so they can make some extra money.

im the same way i get the parts i want and get the old stuff back so i know its the stuff i want on it

**shady milkman** · 12-06-2008, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by ls1camino

This is why I do all my own work...

IF I was to ever have a mechanic work on my car, I would provide the mechanic with the parts...too many people out there cutting corners and scamming people so they can make some extra money.

x2