Drivetrain swap! 97 - 99

[Shiftx450]

It's done!

She's running!

Wish I could upload video.

Had to swap the thermostat - boiled over at First as it was stuck closed. Replaced it with one from my other motor.

Everything works perfect as it should and looks as it should .

Will upload some more pics tonight or tomorrow.

Gotta get tailpipe bent and welded, and flange at the cats is leaking - hoping to get it taken care of first thing in the Morning.

Had the timing 180 degrees backwards at first.

Also had to buy a new starter, they were different. The 97 is much larger.

 

[retorq]

Awesome.

 

[Shiftx450]

Quick video of her running

http://youtu.be/nwonJUirEIs

 

[SunlitComet]

hi beams are on.

 

[retorq]

hi beams are on.

LOL that's a post I would have made.

 

[Shiftx450]

---------- Post added at 04:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:54 PM ----------

Having a tough time getting the wide exhaust flange that sits just behind the cats to seal up tight...

Open to suggestions.

Also has an odd rumble strip type feeling when steady throttling in overdrive.

 

[Shiftx450]

Any epoxies or real thick/softer type gaskets that can be used here?

 

[SunlitComet]

not really. nor recommended. i would like to suggest cutting the just behind rear flange and few inches on the muffler side. mount up the two flanges to seal. then trim that cut as needed to match to each other moving the muffler piping forward ever so slightly on the hangers. and weld those ends together. make sure when you tho that the pipes are all cold. when they heat up they will grow in length a bit and you should be fine with the movement on hangars when they are hot.

 

[Shiftx450]

K. Driving the other day - bout 400 miles on her since the swap was done.

Filled up with fuel, noticed the fuel gauge dropping to E and kinda bouncing around. Bit.

Got on the interstate and after a few minutes started To feel lack of lower.

On the gas as speedo dropping.

Exactly what happened right before I blew a rod in the 99 motor.

Pulled over, tinkering and going over everything.

Think it's the fuel pump.

Was making an inconsistent metal to metal sound, is that considered a lean ping or knock?

Can a fuel pump cause catastrophic engine failure?

It's sitting at my house now, I'm working out of state for the week. Got a new fuel pump, gonna get her done this weekend and hope for the best.

---------- Post added at 10:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:03 AM ----------

Oh, and I did get the exhaust flange cut, reseated, and rewelded.

 

[SunlitComet]

no but it can lean the fuel pressure enough to cause some pinging. since the gauge was acting up too and the fact that the gauge in tank is only wired threw the pcm, verifiy fuel pressure. at different times in your driving speeds and loads. the fact you were loosing power and having gauge issues leads me to believe there is something wrong with the pump connector or with the pcm. if you at all times keep the pressure at about 60psi and the problem returns the pcm may not be getting the power it needs or is suffering from an internal fault.

 

[retorq]

Yes it can, it can lean the engine enough that you will torch a piston.

 

[Shiftx450]

The pump won't even kick on now. Heard it a couple times while sitting on the side of the road, didn't sound healthy.

---------- Post added at 05:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:31 PM ----------

Went through similar symptoms with my 01 2500hd, particularly with the erratic Fuel level gauge and had me siting on the side of the pa turnpike once.

 

[Shiftx450]

Well..

Replaced fuel pump, same issue.

Truck fires right up, idles good. Had no power. Internal motor noises still existent, even pulled belt off to verify it easy a pulley and still exists.

Didnt do a compression test yet.

Going to look further into it when I have time. Maybe jumped timing somehow? Noise could be timing chain?

It's for sale too!!

Best offer over $2k takes it!

---------- Post added at 01:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:10 PM ----------

http://scranton.craigslist.org/cto/3628730893.html

 

[SunlitComet]

Maybe you clogged a fuel filter or injecting assembly.

 

[Shiftx450]

Okie dok. Weather is finally nice and had a chance to dig a little bit.

Still stumped.

Runs.. Well, see and hear for yourself.

What the **** is this noise?

Still severe lack of power. Inconsistent behavior when idling, but will idle. Stalls sometimes. But runs.

http://youtu.be/Viv7UWHV51s

http://youtu.be/Viv7UWHV51s

---------- Post added at 05:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:19 PM ----------

Doing a compression test in the meantime, here's the no. 1 plug

 

[SunlitComet]

an internal failure? almost sounds like i can here the engine knocking. parts scraping against each other. matter of fact i am almost positive it is a bearing related or a broken rod scrapping the walls. did you notice that the oil pressure gauge take a least 4 seconds to show pressure as well?

 

[Shiftx450]

Also found this disconnected.

Can't find it in the diagrams.

Don't know where it should be or it's function. It's pink and white.

---------- Post added at 05:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:50 PM ----------

Not sure of the oil pressure, ill have to check that after the comp test.

So far no. 1 read 150psi.

Yea I think another rod broke, or something broke. I shut it down quickly before severe damage was done.

Bout to drain the oil and check it out, see f there's metal in it.

Pop swears its jumped timing and wars to get to the timing cover.

I don't want to waste my time again.

Friggin 2 blown motors in 1000 miles.

Why.

---------- Post added at 06:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:54 PM ----------

Will any gm 350 long block work as a replacement?

Found this on eBay..
http://bit.ly/11GTBuN

Also could there be an issue with the ecm or something else wiping out my motors, or is this just a big coincidence?

 

[SunlitComet]

the connector likely attaches to the canister vent valve on the side of of the component below your hand. there is a hose branching off to the left in the pic into another component tilted sideways. if not then let me know.

timing cover is plastic so it would not squeal like that.

the code that is set off in the pcm would give a better clue on a starting point electronically.

forget that engine the setup is wrong and it looks like the block or heads were not cleaned or levels using a mill. looks like a die grinder was used. jegs sells a brand new long block from gm for 1900. gm 12530282.

i wonder can you give details on the first one that broke? or was that the one that started this whole swap business?

 

[Shiftx450]

Just posting this quick.

I'll respond to the rest after I eat

 

[speedblurr]

p1345 is the distributor. It may be off a tooth. I was getting it w/ a new one, and it was off by one. I am sure it could be something else, but definitely something with the dizzy.