SOLVED: Another misfire chasing threads (2008 express van)

[Tonyv__]

Finally pulled the camshaft. I could mount a tire on that lobe..

Overall the bearings look ok. In the picture is sawdust from the garage floor. But I’m gonna take my chances and reassemble with a full top end rebuild and if the engine fails down the road I should only have to buy a short block and go through it all over again lol.


So I’m having the heads refurbished at a machine shop just because I have them off. Is there something I can do to the block to have a clean surface for the head gasket?

 

[OR VietVet]

That is one bad lobe, for sure.

What about metal shavings down under?

Whatever you do, do not use a power/air grinder to clean the block. Lots of scraping and a smooth touch when checking.

Have heads done? Valve guides and seals and lap the valves, right? Pressure test them?

 

[Tonyv__]

That is one bad lobe, for sure.

What about metal shavings down under?

Whatever you do, do not use a power/air grinder to clean the block. Lots of scraping and a smooth touch when checking.

Have heads done? Valve guides and seals and lap the valves, right? Pressure test them?

Is there a way to find shavings in the block without taking the pistons out? I have the pan completely off. No signs is shavings or sludge. The pan is cleaner than I expected it to be

Like maybe a long magnet down the camshaft hole

 

[OR VietVet]

I would say that if you see no metal/shavings in the pan, you are likely safe. Look at the piston walls for abnormal signs of scraping/scratches.

 

[Tonyv__]

Just an update on my express van build thread at this point…

Took about a week to get all my parts and trying to squeeze time in the morning and nights after work and baby duty. Boy this stuff takes a lot of time especially with the engine still in the van.

I went ahead and ordered a new cam, lifters, trays, pushrods, head studs, timing chain, vvt actuator, new gaskets all around. Got the heads refurbished and new valve seals. Some upgrades I did while the engine is down was new pulleys, belts, 145A alternator, water pump, thermostat, clutch fan, big 3 upgrade, and some other small things here and there

Hopefully have it together this weekend. I really hate working out of my Yukon. That will have to be up next for a detailing after I stop dusting it up.

Also my garage looks like a bomb hit it fun.

 

[Tonyv__]

Fired her up this morning. Some smoke from the headers because I spilled a ton of antifreeze on them when removing the heads….. slight smoke from the exhaust but I’m almost certain it’s just condensation as it’s getting cold here at night. The smoke doesn’t linger and it has no smell… oil pressure is up.

Temp is also up. New water pump. New Tstat. Gonna have to figure out if something is bad or if air is trapped in the system

 

[Tonyv__]

Spent some time last night and this morning and I finally got her all buttoned up. She sounds good. Had some gasket issues with the thermostat which caused the system to not circulate properly and some serious air pockets. Every time I thought the system was full it would take another gallon slowly. 3 gallons overall. Test drove it this morning with no issues.

Also the alternator and big 3 helped big time with the voltage drop I was experiencing with Al my electronics.

Hopefully this is the end of my saga

 

[Tonyv__]

Throwing Bank1 and bank2 too lean now.. hmmm I hope I didn’t screw this up. What should I look for?

 

[89Suburban]

I know you are still working out the kinks here but hell of a job there my man!

 

[Tonyv__]

I know you are still working out the kinks here but hell of a job there my man!

Appreciate it. Would be the first time I’ve ever cracked an engine open for repairs. I’ve done direct engine swaps but never this