Project Mr. Green Jeans (now 5.3 LS turbo build!)

[Dads79GMC]

Outstanding! Did the drive shaft work?? Mike

[bnoon]

I don't know yet. Worst case is it should be the right length and I would have to use different U-joints if something wasn't right. Nothing is in the truck yet, barely ordered it. Once I get everything I will know for sure. Should be the right one though.

[Dads79GMC]

Didn't know which truck it was going into. Good luck.

[bnoon]

Using in for this one. I'm hoping the spline is the same as the 700r4 and th350 slip yokes are, otherwise I'll have to swap that yoke out. Length should be right though.

[bnoon]

Things starting to happen for the 5.3 now that Red Ryder is gone to a new home. I got the balancer off after breaking my old Craftsman 6" puller after 25 years of service. The center bolt broke right off. All Sears had in stock were 2 jaw pullers and one tiny little 4" 3 jaw puller for $49.99. I went to Harbor Freight not expecting much in the form of quality on this type of item, but they were actually really nice quality. Fine threads which were stronger than the coarse threads on the old Craftsman one. The set was $29.99 from HF and had 4 pullers... one 8", one 6", one 4", and one 3". Home run for HF!!!

[bnoon]

5.3 disassembly. Rod and main bearings look brand new, but cam bearings are shot. Ordered new cam bearings and new piston rings today. I put a fresh hone on all of the cylinders to clean them up and help seat the new rings, shown with 2 done and 2 not done. I oiled everything down with straight 30 weight non-detergent oil to avoid surface rust and not attract dirt.

[bnoon]

I got the pistons put into a 5 gallon bucket to try to free them up on the rods a little bit and to get rid of the carbon buildup in the ring grooves using mineral spirits. I looked up cheap parts soak ideas on Google since I didn't want to spend $$$ on actual parts dip (and since the EPA took all of the good chemicals out of those anyway, I thought I'd try something new). From the dark color in the bucket after about 10 seconds, I'd say it's already working. Covered with a plastic sack and electrical tape to seal it off. Mineral spirits stink unless you buy the double price stink free kind.

I also got the new rings and cam bearings delivered as I was doing the piston soak. YAY!

The LS9 cam and LS2 engine cover came in the other day along with the new LS6 springs. WAHOOOO!!!

Ordered today:

Close out gasket kit closeout item from Amazon at only $110, last one on the shelf. Less than half the price of any other set I've seen.

LS2 timing chain, single roller, from Sealed Power via Rock Auto. Closeout item as well that had an issue with shipping, so Rock Auto upgraded me to the Cloyes chain for the same price because they can ship that one today.

Dakota Digital speedometer adapter driver ECD-100 to drive the mechanical speedo from the 4L65E that has a digital output. Got it from Amazon 20 bucks cheaper than from Dakota's own site and they are the seller on Amazon too. Yay me for checking!!!

[bnoon]

I posted my bearing installation tool for LS style engines in the main forum for more to see it. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...42#post7091342

[Chaplain]

Finally current.

[Hankster]

Let me know how that Monster trans does.

[bnoon]

Originally Posted by Hankster

Let me know how that Monster trans does.

I had one in my '03 Silverado SS and it was VERY nice! Had a 3200 stall and awd with about 500 horse. A 4500 pound vehicle has no business being as quick as that thing was! I only ever had one issue with it and that was the 1-2 accumulator kept cracking and it was a factory aluminum replacement/upgrade part compared to the stock plastic one. They later came out with a billet version that I had no issues with at all.

[Hankster]

Think I might go that route, I don't know yet.

[bnoon]

They're great to work with, will answer questions, what parts to avoid even if you don't buy everything from them. I called them probably 5 or 6 times before I got my first one even ordered. It was an easy decision this second time.

[Hankster]

Not to bad, I've seen a lot worse!

[bnoon]

Cam bearings are pretty toasted as mentioned though, which I guess is a pretty common problem on all LS style engines. I've got new ones coming, now I just have to make something to install them!!! No way am I buying a $200 cam bearing tool that's just a slide hammer with one end machined to fit the cam journals and bearing inside diameter. Nothing too special about that...

[NewType72]

Ah specialty tools. If they weren't around what could we complain about? looking forward to seeing what you design for the install

[bnoon]

Harbor Freight has an axle bearing type install kit that I may modify to work. It's under 40 bucks, add in some all thread and a few nuts and I'll be under 45 total. We'll see. More pictures to add here in a bit too.

[bnoon]

Ordered today: Airtex E8248 external fuel pump from Amazon (but researched on Summit Racing for specs). 70 GPH at 120 PSI capable for only 69 bucks. Should support in the neighborhood of 600-700 HP which is what I'm shooting for. May have to modify the stock pickup and run a second pump and line and larger fuel rails, but we'll see what our limits are here first with one pump and one line.

[Hankster]

Your just ordering all kinds of parts.

[NewType72]

The song "keep rollin, rollin, rollin" comes to mind

[bnoon]

Originally Posted by Hankster

Your just ordering all kinds of parts.

Yes I am. As soon as deposits clear my account, the money is rolling right back out LOL! Getting new things a few days a week. Update on the transmission is that it's about a week from shipping out, so I need to have this engine ready soon! Hopefully get the pistons cleared up tonight and be ready to install this weekend after I figure out the cam bearing situation. The Harbor Freight pieces will have to be turned on my lathe to fit them to the bearing sizes no doubt, so that will slow me down some...

Originally Posted by NewType72

The song "keep rollin, rollin, rollin" comes to mind

Exciting times for sure! People say money talks, but all mine has been saying lately is "Good-bye!!!"

[NewType72]

Love it! Glad to see that some aren't laying over to just get the "store bought overpriced tool" vs making it themselves. Congrats on the successful hand made tool sir.

[bnoon]

PSI harness came in (Vortec DBC with LS2/3 cam sensor mod) and the gasket kit from Rock Auto ($110). I guess they sell the same gasket kits on Ebay from this same company that sold through Rock Auto. About half of the price of other gasket kits and they look/feel just like the same thing so far. I guess time will tell.

[bnoon]

LS2 timing chain
Dakota Digital electronic to physical speedometer converter box
Cam bearings for the one bearing I boogered up on the 1st cam bearing install
and a new pump for my parts washer cabinet

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice parts. I feel your pain on having money and then it's gone a few days later. This will be a sweet rig here shortly!