Growing up doesn't have to suck

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

OP
OP
iamdub

iamdub

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2016
Posts
20,712
Reaction score
44,434
Location
Li'l Weezyana
One website writes that a fully dressed iron block LS is 580 pounds including the ECM, exhaust manifolds, wiring harnesses, etc.

That's what I found on bdturnkeyengines.com. I subtracted from that the estimated weight of the harness, PCM, accessory bracket, power steering pump, A/C compressor and its bracket from that since those stayed in the bay. Just pulled engine, water pump and alternator. Forgot about the exhaust manifolds. That's another, what, 20 lbs? But I also pulled the fans so that negates some of that which I forgot.


...Yeeeeaah. It'd only take a few minutes to do the balancing act Wes suggested. Narrowing it down to a ~4" range (width of my jack pad) would be plenty close enough. Plus it'd be kinda fun to do and interesting data to have.
 
OP
OP
iamdub

iamdub

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2016
Posts
20,712
Reaction score
44,434
Location
Li'l Weezyana
So, I made a 2.5 ton teeter-totter yesterday. It took three tries, but I narrowed the balancing point down to around .25". The rear was still the heavy end, but I could lift it with one finger in the hitch so I feel that's plenty close enough. If the anchors of my lift can't hold that small of an imbalance, then I shouldn't be using it at all.

I attempted to remove the Y-pipe and manifolds to have more working room on the trans. But the cross member has to come out, which means the trans has to come out. I'm not dropping the trans so I'll work on it with the exhaust in place.

Just waiting for that Sonnax servo to be delivered...
 

pwtr02ss

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2013
Posts
10,212
Reaction score
20,522
Location
Tennessee
So, I made a 2.5 ton teeter-totter yesterday. It took three tries, but I narrowed the balancing point down to around .25". The rear was still the heavy end, but I could lift it with one finger in the hitch so I feel that's plenty close enough. If the anchors of my lift can't hold that small of an imbalance, then I shouldn't be using it at all.

I attempted to remove the Y-pipe and manifolds to have more working room on the trans. But the cross member has to come out, which means the trans has to come out. I'm not dropping the trans so I'll work on it with the exhaust in place.

Just waiting for that Sonnax servo to be delivered...

I surprised you aren't rebuilding the trans. I'm very confident you're much more than capable. If you decide to attempt, shoot me a PM
 
OP
OP
iamdub

iamdub

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2016
Posts
20,712
Reaction score
44,434
Location
Li'l Weezyana
I surprised you aren't rebuilding the trans. I'm very confident you're much more than capable. If you decide to attempt, shoot me a PM

I've been told from a few experienced people that that's something I could and should do. But I don't have the place, special tools, time nor drive to dive into that at the moment. The 5.3 refresh was supposed to be a 2-3 week ordeal, but upgrades and COVID-19 happened and slowed things way down. Just bad timing is all.

I feel that tearing into a trans would drag out over a month for me, not to mention the cost. I'd spiral out of control and invest in the best of parts, a bunch of specialty tools, etc. and still have to study every single action ("performance" clearances, valve body mods and their results, what mods can and can't be "stacked",...) before proceeding. And then, being a novice, I'd be worried that I did something wrong and I'm gonna trash all those expensive parts I just invested in.

Now, what I may do after it's up and running again, is if I have a trans failure, I'll investigate it myself. Worst case is I'll have to buy a built one (as planned), put mine back together and send it as a core. Best case, I open it up and realize it's not as involved as I think it is and I build it myself. I appreciate your offer and I'll definitely hit you up for input!

For now, I just want to get it back on the road.
 

PG01

Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2016
Posts
14,731
Reaction score
17,784
Location
Up here to the right
So, I made a 2.5 ton teeter-totter yesterday. It took three tries, but I narrowed the balancing point down to around .25". The rear was still the heavy end, but I could lift it with one finger in the hitch so I feel that's plenty close enough. If the anchors of my lift can't hold that small of an imbalance, then I shouldn't be using it at all.

I attempted to remove the Y-pipe and manifolds to have more working room on the trans. But the cross member has to come out, which means the trans has to come out. I'm not dropping the trans so I'll work on it with the exhaust in place.

Just waiting for that Sonnax servo to be delivered...

all I thought about while reading...8BE34A91-0FBC-4F7F-9D9F-8B473B43BA0F.jpeg

you’re right tho... i did miss a lot ....you've been busy.... nice work dub....coming along nicely..... and yes, I see the ‘black’ rims
;)
 

George B

¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Joined
Feb 5, 2020
Posts
7,619
Reaction score
18,035
Location
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin 53066
76908106_988432298193132_6521590093000474624_n.jpg
 

Forum statistics

Threads
128,801
Posts
1,805,623
Members
91,784
Latest member
navyboy14094
Top