Rocket Man's 02 Denali Build Thread AKA "THE BEAST"

[Rocket Man]

I've decided that if I successfully install my cam, oil pump and timing gear and save about $1500 I'll reward myself with a matching set of Yella Terra shaft mount full roller rockers that Roger Vinci helped design. I will be installing his cam and he has told me I can get 20 hp/25 ft lbs torque with these rockers plus I'm just a bit concerned that the Comp cams trunion upgrade kit may wear prematurely from all I've read, although I've also heard it was a problem a few years ago and they've had no issues lately. And they're bad-ass. At $600 they'd better be.

 

[Rocket Man]

OK I said I'd wait until I did the cam but oh well. Found them for $564 shipped from Hinson Motorsports. YT wanted $797.50 shipped and even my bud Roger Vinci would only give me $599 plus shipping so I jumped on this deal. I raced a modded Subaru STi today and it was neck and neck up to 80 when we stopped. Got a big thumbs up. Those little cars are quick.

 

[Rocket Man]

FedEx just dropped off my can of Kreen just now so I guess I'll see how it works. I have seen some varnish inside my valve covers so Im curious if it removes it.

 

[Tonyrodz]

FedEx just dropped off my can of Kreen just now so I guess I'll see how it works. I have seen some varnish inside my valve covers so Im curious if it removes it.

View attachment 179572

Def let us know. I saw some varnish on mine also when I got it.

 

[Rocket Man]

Just got UPS tracking info on the roller rockers and it looks like they'll be here in time for install when I do the cam and other stuff next week. Bad news is it's going to be 100 degrees on those days so I'll have to work in the mornings and evenings.

 

[Rocket Man]

I was looking through TSB's for my rig at this site http://www.revbase.com/bbbmotor and came across this one pertaining to the OEM rockers. I don't know about anyone else, but if there's enough problems with a part that GM issues a TSB on it, that part probably doesn't belong in a built engine, especially one with a blower. I had someone else on this forum (who was also building a motor with a blower) tell me that it wasn't a concern, that GM spent thousands of hours designing and testing their parts, and that builders all over use stock rockers without trunion upgrade kits. I had heard about the possibility of the stockers losing their needle bearings due to the fact they're not a captured design and then those bearings end up throughout your engine. This TSB confirms that. That's why I went with the trunion upgrade kit and then decided, after reading about possible problems with a few of the Comp Cams trunion kits, to go with a complete upgrade. I'm glad I decided to replace them.

 

[Rocket Man]

Today I replaced the vapor canister vent valve due to a DTC P0446 a few days ago. Easiest part I've ever replaced. Hopefully no more codes. There was a TSB on this also, about its filter getting clogged due to dusty roads and I certainly hit some dusty ass roads last week during my 4 wheeling.

 

[Rocket Man]

Browsing TSB's again (this is kind of addictive) I found one relating to the front door lock bezels (or levers as GM calls them) where they designed a new part due to the original design coming loose from the door panel. I don't know about you guys, but I'm always popping those levers back into the door panels because they come loose all the time. It's always drove me nuts. 15172121 is the new part # and I just ordered a pair for around $20 Amazon Prime.

 

[MadDogDelpho]

I definitely need one!

 

[Tonyrodz]

Browsing TSB's again (this is kind of addictive) I found one relating to the front door lock bezels (or levers as GM calls them) where they designed a new part due to the original design coming loose from the door panel. I don't know about you guys, but I'm always popping those levers back into the door panels because they come loose all the time. It's always drove me nuts. 15172121 is the new part # and I just ordered a pair for around $20 Amazon Prime.

Are the bezels what holds the power door lock and window buttons to the doors?

 

[Rocket Man]

Are the bezels what holds the power door lock and window buttons to the doors?

Yes the manual lock buttons or levers, the ones that slide back and forth . Not power window or lock buttons. Here's what mine always look like. I'm always snapping them back in and a few lock cycles later and they pop out.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Yes the manual lock buttons or levers, the ones that slide back and forth . Not power window or lock buttons. Google the part numbers for a picture.

Got'cha. I thought it was the bezel that holds the power buttons in. Thx

 

[Rocket Man]

Went camping and ran into some migrating Monarch butterflies. I've never ran into something like this, it was crazy. Bug splatters everywhere and when they flew into the windshield it actually made me jump a few times. Then I got home and UPS showed up.

 

[05Single]

You butterfly murderer!!

Adds some color tho, nice custom touch

So those lock bezels changed design between 02 and 03?

 

[Rocket Man]

You butterfly murderer!!

Adds some color tho, nice custom touch

So those lock bezels changed design between 02 and 03?

The TSB for the lock bezels was for 2001-2003 models so I'd say they changed in 04.

 

[05Single]

Guess I missed it, but what's TSB? Recall ?

 

[Rocket Man]

Guess I missed it, but what's TSB? Recall ?

A page back I mentioned the info on where you can look up all the Technical Service bulletins for your rig. There are over a thousand for mine, but that counts all the updates to them and a lot are little nit-picky stuff but some are relevant for sure. Check it out. http://www.revbase.com/bbbmotor

 

[05Single]

Thanks brother

Btw Happy 100th page
In just under a year too

 

[Rocket Man]

Thanks brother

Btw Happy 100th page
In just under a year too

I didn't even notice! And it's CAM SWAP DAY !! Almost 5 hours into it. Here's a sneak peek. The cam is in and I was contemplating whether or not to install the new timing set and oil pump and decided I would, but to do it the "easy" way by just dropping the pan a half inch so I can get to the pickup tube bolt at the oil pump. So I pulled all the bolts on the pan and removed the crossmember but the pan wouldn't drop. Then I counted the bolt holes in my new pan gasket and saw I missed removing one. And I can see it but I can't get it out without dropping the front differential. Now I'm at another decision- drop the diff and then go ahead and drop the pan or leave the oil pump and timing set as is. I have great oil pressure and the timing chain looks great but I have these parts...damn. Stupid AWD.

 

[PG01]

Do it, you're there already red