Just Fishing's 09 Tahoe Build thread

[Just Fishing]

Go motivated, popped that snap ring off and walked the old seal out of the pump.
It went very smoothly, used a screw driver to gently walk it out of the groove.

The original input shaft o-ring was a little stiff, and turning flat.
Glad i bought a new one!

For the pump to converter seal, it was fine.
Comparing the old vs new, I could see no noticeable wear on the sealing surface.
But while I'm in there i suppose.

Tight quarters sticking my torso up between the oil cooler lines and the frame, so no good pictures of the process.

For the new seal, i cleaned the pump side well, inserted a little transmission assembly goo that i had on hand into the converter bearing in the pump, and lubed shaft splines, and the inside sealing surface of the new pump seal with goo.


The transmission assembly goo stuff turns into ATF when heated up, it's recommended to lube parts to prevent a dry startup, and it can even hold things in place such as check balls.
I have both the firm and the Light tack
Supposed to be for use in different outside temps or some nonsense.
I have only ever found a use for the "Green" light tack version.
https://www.amazon.com/Lubegard-19260-Tranny-Assemblee-Lubricant/dp/B000B8UPCY



The new pump to converter seal, i used a fine layer of black RTV on the rubber seal on the outside.

did it in such a way to prevent any of that rtv ending up in the pump.
The original seal didn't have it, but it's just for peace of mind.
Snap ring rolled back into place nice and easily.


(I wish the 4l60 had that!!
For those, you need to peen the sealing surface in the pump to hold into the seal better, and then seal in there with the "green" Loctite.
And then they recommend you stake the pump to prevent walking.)


Then with the input shaft all lubed up with goo, i rolled the new converter o-ring onto the input shaft!


And this is the O-ring i removed.
It's supposed to be green, I can still see hints of that green in places.
picture doesn't show it well, but the outside is a wee flat.

I should have taken a picture next to the new seal, but i was on a roll


I put a plastic bag over the input shaft for now, I want to let that black RTV dry before installing the converter.


And i have the new converter filled with AC Delco VI, letting it soak for now.

 

[Just Fishing]

Well i was just painting my other valve cover silver.
then I started thinking.

Man this engine could use a splash of red...

so figured wth, decided to see how it looked with a light coat of red...
as hoping the silver backing would show through.
Answer = not really.

Fk it, A heavier coat of red is now drying...

 

[pwtr02ss]

Well for this weekend tasks,
I decided i best go ahead and crack open the ATSG manual for the 6l80 to see what the pump to converter seal looks like, and the recommended replacement method.
They put in a c clip to retain it!!

Explains what i saw with the replacement that i have.
Has a nice little rubber seal on the outside.
Usually it's a smooth surface where they recommend to use some sort of locktite to prevent it from walking out under pressure.

That makes life so much easier, i was worried i would need a special tool or something in order to get around the input shaft.

View attachment 279192

that 6 speed is something else. I'm sure I'll dip my toe in one of those someday

really good info after you posted this. Thanks for sharing

 

[Just Fishing]

that 6 speed is something else. I'm sure I'll dip my toe in one of those someday

really good info after you posted this. Thanks for sharing

Yeah np, i hope someone will make good use of the info.

I searched around looking for info on what's needed to change the seal out and found nothing.
The new seal, i found it odd that it had a rubber seal where i expected smooth metal.

I was assuming i would need to make a tool in order to drive the seal in around the input shaft, i was so glad to see this improved design over the old 4 speeds.

And with the 6 speed, pull the valve body off and you can see a bunch of clutch packs through these awesome inspection windows.
that blew my mind.
Not just one pack, but several!

And the valve body design is a huge leap forward in the case of ease to work on.
the entire valve body, upper and lower comes out as an assembly!!!

then you can split it open on the bench.

First thing i did to my Tahoe was to upgrade the fk out of the valve body with sonnax and transgo goodies.
I also found that my pressure switch laminates were on their way out.
So it was a good opportunity to upgrade the check balls, new separator plate, and full gaskets and seals.

The only thing i don't like, you can't change the damn boost valve in the pump from the pan.
The pump must be removed.
Lame.



And i have thought about pulling the pump to install upgrades, and the updated pump stator seals.

with the 4l60, it's really hard to do that unless the transmission is on it's end, with the pump straight up.

and i'm not in the mood to pull the transmission...

 

[Just Fishing]

Parts I used,

Converter seal GM PN: 24237531
https://www.ebay.com/itm/373506546476

Input shaft O-ring, i don't have a PN, but this is the listing.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/114625656099

 

[Just Fishing]

As for the inspection windows, this is what i'm talking about.

The clutch drums also have nice little slits showing the clutches, just rotate to line up the nicely designed case.

Just fantastic.

 

[Just Fishing]

And here is the valve body to case design.

 

[pwtr02ss]

Yeah np, i hope someone will make good use of the info.

I searched around looking for info on what's needed to change the seal out and found nothing.
The new seal, i found it odd that it had a rubber seal where i expected smooth metal.

I was assuming i would need to make a tool in order to drive the seal in around the input shaft, i was so glad to see this improved design over the old 4 speeds.

And with the 6 speed, pull the valve body off and you can see a bunch of clutch packs through these awesome inspection windows.
that blew my mind.
Not just one pack, but several!

And the valve body design is a huge leap forward in the case of ease to work on.
the entire valve body, upper and lower comes out as an assembly!!!

then you can split it open on the bench.

First thing i did to my Tahoe was to upgrade the fk out of the valve body with sonnax and transgo goodies.
I also found that my pressure switch laminates were on their way out.
So it was a good opportunity to upgrade the check balls, new separator plate, and full gaskets and seals.

The only thing i don't like, you can't change the damn boost valve in the pump from the pan.
The pump must be removed.
Lame.



And i have thought about pulling the pump to install upgrades, and the updated pump stator seals.

with the 4l60, it's really hard to do that unless the transmission is on it's end, with the pump straight up.

and i'm not in the mood to pull the transmission...

while you're 2/3 to having it on the ground, I'd definitely do anything you feel it needs.

 

[pwtr02ss]

And that trans design is nifty. I'm only partially familiar with the 4 speeds. Only serviced my dads 6 speed. I'm hoping it's problem free for years to come

 

[Just Fishing]

Splash of red for the engine bay, check.

Wind picked up as i was letting it dry, so i got a little trash here and there.
Coil packs will cover most of this anyways.

And I planned on allowing the paint and clear coat into the oil fill hole.
Only goes down to the retaining lugs.
I'm hoping this will tighten up the silly oil fill neck.

 

[Just Fishing]

and fedex finally decided to grace me with their presence.


Mains w00t w00t

Trying to get rid of an allergy migraine right now, otherwise i would be outside getting ready to plasti gauge this pig!

 

[Just Fishing]

 

[Just Fishing]

Mains came out at about between .001 and.0015
closer to the .001

I would guess probably like .0011 - .0012

Production spec is about .0008 - .0025 so I'm calling that gtg.

 

[Just Fishing]

Also nice that the block came with a set of bolts, so i used those for the plastigauge.
I'll install a fresh set for the final assembly.


Everything is apart again.
I want to do one more cleaning before i start putting it together.

And i also want to install the camshaft with the crank removed.

 

[Just Fishing]

got everything nice and white glove clean.

Camshaft is in.
Working on the crank now.

Just set the thrust bearing, about to angle torque that *****.


I checked the end play with the inner set of bolts in place, came out to be about .002.

Then i found out i need to finish up the bolts before I'm supposed to check.

got more pictures to come.



And i bought a bunch of different engine assembly lubes, one of those was a little tub of redline's stuff.
Then i remembered how much i LOVE their stuff.

So I'm running with that.



I have one hr until i head off with the father in law for beer, getting back to work so i can bag this crap back up.

 

[Sparksalot]

got everything nice and white glove clean.

Camshaft is in.
Working on the crank now.

Just set the thrust bearing, about to angle torque that *****.


I checked the end play with the inner set of bolts in place, came out to be about .002.

Then i found out i need to finish up the bolts before I'm supposed to check.

got more pictures to come.



And i bought a bunch of different engine assembly lubes, one of those was a little tub of redline's stuff.
Then i remembered how much i LOVE their stuff.

So I'm running with that.



I have one hr until i head off with the father in law for beer, getting back to work so i can bag this crap back up.

Beer, on Sunday, in Utah? Isn’t that against the law or something.

 

[Just Fishing]

Beer, on Sunday, in Utah? Isn’t that against the law or something.

It's my church.


If any Mormons give me shit, all i gotta say is Orrin Porter Rockwell.


Or as i like to put it, Saint Rockwell.
Gun slinger and bar owner.

 

[Just Fishing]

Got a nice setup.
Lots of work still left, ran out of time today though...

 

[Just Fishing]

I got a new tool today.
So i have this little cheap torque to angle thing i ordered last time around.
OTC tool: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003UMRXSW
I have had a good experience with OTC in the past, so it seemed like a good idea.

This time around I'm hating it.
stupid thing keeps binding up and messing up the angle reading.


So watching a youtube video, they suggested a different type.
They didn't mention a brand, but i found one that looked identical
"Lisle 28100 Torque Angle Meter" https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002STSW6

So i just gave it a good run, and wow.
I wish i bought this one last time.

I thought that the method of attaching looked cheap and crappy, but the dial spins like ball bearings!
I love this tool!

I also have a digital torque wrench for little stuff and big stuff.
I'm finding that for the little things, i like the click better than a beep... beep... beep... beep.. beep. beep. beepbeepbeep.


So i got a new one of those too, this one has a nice little hard case. Mmmm
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FMPKAD0

it's ok, works good enough but i'm not loving the little lock on the bottom.


Tools always put me in a good mood.

 

[Just Fishing]

Ever since the whole rona thing, Ontrack started sucking balls.

These are the same guys that had my engine block for a solid week before they bothered to deliver it.
I figured that was just because of it being heavy...