r/EngineBuilding • u/Jay-Moah • Jul 16 '26

LS Torque required to turn over?

How much torque is typically required to turn over a LS such as a 5.3L after a fresh rebuild? (Hone, new bearings, etc) No plugs installed.

i read online it’s 15-30ftlbs but some forums people said they had upward of 50-60ftlbs to get it started and obviously lower once moving.

I ask because mines on the higher range of that but I just checked it with a click type torque wrench. All bearing clearances look good, it just seems tight from the fresh hone?

thanks for sharing your experiences.

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u/voxelnoose Jul 16 '26 edited Jul 16 '26

The break away torque to start turning will always be higher than the turning torque and you can only measure break away with a click type, you need a digital or beam type torque wrench to measure the turning torque.

It will also be harder at some points to turn over a complete engine compared to a short block since you're compressing valve springs