iamdub
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Awesome turn of events. I'm very much pleased with my Circle D converter. With their reputation, I'd certainly follow their lead on a tuner. It's icing on the cake that it's someone local to you.
Engine Swap to stroked 6.0 (408) and general vehicle refurbishment
- Thread starter Chooko
- Start date
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Awesome turn of events. I'm very much pleased with my Circle D converter. With their reputation, I'd certainly follow their lead on a tuner. It's icing on the cake that it's someone local to you.
iamdub
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Oh, it'll likely work. It just won't last and it'll audibly let you know just how much it's not lasting. lol
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Chooko
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Hahahaha! Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of!
iamdub
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I've never done that work personally, just watched plenty of others do it (in person and online videos). I think you nailed yours.
THarber
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That bracket is to protect the fuel line like others have said. I think you might want to up the stall speed a bit. Depending on gear and tire you might not get much out of the 2600.
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Chooko
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Well folks, big news - the 5.3 is out of the Tahoe!
I've spent quite a bit of time over the last several days pulling connectors, unbolting accessories, labeling things, and cataloging them. I've put every fastener I've removed into labeled zip-lock bags and have a computer spreadsheet of every fastener, bracket, connector, hose, etc that I've touched. My plan is to create a checklist or job-guide to ensure that I put everything back, and try to get everything in the correct order to avoid the two steps forward - one step back issues that usually follow (at least for me) when i try to put something back together from memory.
Anyway, today one of my USMC buddies stopped by for a few hours. The only things left to do today were to remove a few miscellaneous hoses and connectors, get the power steering pump and ac compressor and associated brackets clear of the engine, and then unbolt the mounts. We got everything done until there was just one bolt remaining in each mount, and then pushed the Tahoe far enough outside so that the garage ceiling wouldn't interfere with the hoist. She came right out, easy as could be. Amazingly, we did not miss a single wire or hose, and so it was just a matter of my buddy and I holding some harnesses and hoses clear while my wife worked the hoist. The trick of spinning the engine worked like a charm. We rotated the front of the engine to the passenger side, and it went very smoothly. I didn't get pictures until it was out unfortunately, but here it is:
After that we pushed the Tahoe back in, transferred the engine to my engine stand, and got everything back in the garage.
I am going to spend some time while I wait for the new engine and rebuilt transmission, cleaning the engine compartment, and re-looming some or all of the wiring harness. Here is the empty engine bay:
Looking forward, I am thinking that if I were to jack the back end of the truck up as high as my ceiling would allow, I MIGHT be able to slide the engine and transmission in as one unit. I could also push the Tahoe fully outdoors for that operation to get the rear end even higher. Has anyone tried doing it that way?
I've spent quite a bit of time over the last several days pulling connectors, unbolting accessories, labeling things, and cataloging them. I've put every fastener I've removed into labeled zip-lock bags and have a computer spreadsheet of every fastener, bracket, connector, hose, etc that I've touched. My plan is to create a checklist or job-guide to ensure that I put everything back, and try to get everything in the correct order to avoid the two steps forward - one step back issues that usually follow (at least for me) when i try to put something back together from memory.
Anyway, today one of my USMC buddies stopped by for a few hours. The only things left to do today were to remove a few miscellaneous hoses and connectors, get the power steering pump and ac compressor and associated brackets clear of the engine, and then unbolt the mounts. We got everything done until there was just one bolt remaining in each mount, and then pushed the Tahoe far enough outside so that the garage ceiling wouldn't interfere with the hoist. She came right out, easy as could be. Amazingly, we did not miss a single wire or hose, and so it was just a matter of my buddy and I holding some harnesses and hoses clear while my wife worked the hoist. The trick of spinning the engine worked like a charm. We rotated the front of the engine to the passenger side, and it went very smoothly. I didn't get pictures until it was out unfortunately, but here it is:
After that we pushed the Tahoe back in, transferred the engine to my engine stand, and got everything back in the garage.
I am going to spend some time while I wait for the new engine and rebuilt transmission, cleaning the engine compartment, and re-looming some or all of the wiring harness. Here is the empty engine bay:
Looking forward, I am thinking that if I were to jack the back end of the truck up as high as my ceiling would allow, I MIGHT be able to slide the engine and transmission in as one unit. I could also push the Tahoe fully outdoors for that operation to get the rear end even higher. Has anyone tried doing it that way?
iamdub
Full Access Member
Good job! Your engine bay, with the accessories bungee'd to the sides and blue tape everywhere, looks very familiar.
But you squeezed it out with the fans in place. I didn't know that was possible.I've never R/R'ed a trans in one of these, but I'm almost inclined to say that it would be more work to install them together rather than the trans separately from underneath. I mean, you have to rotate the engine sideways to barely get it out by itself. This won't be an option with a trans bolted to it.
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Chooko
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I've been looking for little projects to keep myself busy while I wait on my engine and transmission. One thing that I noticed is that the factory looming on my engine wiring harness was looking pretty rough. It was brittle in places, and sections were completely missing in other places. In fact I had a couple of spots where the plastic was completely missing for several inches. I decided to pull the harness out of the vehicle (which I hope that I don't come to regret when I put it back together) and redo the loom on the entire harness. I am using Tessa cloth tape, and split PET loom. I ordered several different sizes of the loom material to try to keep things as clean as possible as the harness thickness changes as it branches out. My pictures are not great, but here are a couple of before shots:
And here are a couple of after shots:
This has been pretty smooth, and kind of enjoyable to do, so now I am considering doing other harnesses in the vehicle, such as the wiring to the headlights, etc.
I also just bought a significant amount of Kilmat, Boom Mat spray, and associated items for sound deadening, and I guess once the looming is complete I am going to move on to pulling out the interior to install my new stereo and backup camera, and sound treat the full interior.
And here are a couple of after shots:
This has been pretty smooth, and kind of enjoyable to do, so now I am considering doing other harnesses in the vehicle, such as the wiring to the headlights, etc.
I also just bought a significant amount of Kilmat, Boom Mat spray, and associated items for sound deadening, and I guess once the looming is complete I am going to move on to pulling out the interior to install my new stereo and backup camera, and sound treat the full interior.
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That loom work is beautiful! Is the woven loom the 'split PET loom' you referred to? The engine bay of my Escalade is lousy with brittle and degraded cable looms. I like your idea! Please elaborate on the materials you are using.
Thanks!
Thanks!
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Chooko
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Seth - The stuff I am using is this:
I bought it in several sizes, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4, and 1 inch. I think I also got some 1.25 inch. I probably didn't need all of those sizes, but this is the first time I'm doing this and so I'm figuring it out as I go. I'll try to post up which sizes I actually used once I am complete. The tape is this:
Amazon.com: 10 Rolls Tesa's Most Advanced High Heat Harness Tape 51036 Mercedes, BMW, Audi, VW : Automotive
Amazon.com: 10 Rolls Tesa's Most Advanced High Heat Harness Tape 51036 Mercedes, BMW, Audi, VW : Automotive
www.amazon.com
For puting it all back together I also bought these:
There are two more styles of specialized zip ties that were on the harness that I am still trying to find. If I do find them I'll let you know where.
Nice work!!
Do you happen to have a picture or willing to describe the specialized zip ties you’re looking for?
Also thanks for listing the sizes you used on the split loom. I want to do that to 5 of my vehicles but didn’t want to order too small or too large of a size.
Do you happen to have a picture or willing to describe the specialized zip ties you’re looking for?
Also thanks for listing the sizes you used on the split loom. I want to do that to 5 of my vehicles but didn’t want to order too small or too large of a size.
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Chooko
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Here is a picture of all three:
The one in the middle is relatively easy to find replacements for:
The ones on the right and left...not so easy. I found something similar to the one on the right, but I could only find it in 1000 packs, and the price was something like $200 for that many. Eventually I ordered these:
Standoff Stud Mount Tie T120RSM0HIRK2, 157-01300
They are not identical to either, and I haven't received them yet, so I don't know for sure if they will work, but I am hopeful that they can be used to replace both the left and right style from my picture above. I'll let you know once they get here.
As for the looming, for just the engine harness, I used a full 25 foot pack plus a few more feet (maybe 30 feet total) of the 1/4 inch. I only used a few feet each of the other sizes. I ordered WAY more than I needed, although I was considering doing more of the wiring int he Tahoe. I'll probably just keep it around for use on future projects. Thats the best idea I can give you as far as how much of it you might need.
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Chooko
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I pulled the driver side head off of the old engine just to see if I could see anything wrong in the vicinity of the #7 cylinder, which was giving me a lot of misfires, and fouling plugs.
You can see that the build up on the #7 piston is a different color. In addition, the electrode end of the spark plug was slightly rusty, which is just visible in the last picture, so as I pretty much knew, coolant was getting into that cylinder. The third picture is the head gasket from that side. Should it spread apart like that? Or is that indicative of a blown gasket? I am hoping that the block and heads are OK. Didn't notice any obvious cracks, but I need to clean it up more before I can be certain.
In other news, Texas Speed called me, and the new engine should be finished tomorrow, but I am looking at either next week, or the week after before I can make the drive down to get it due to work conflicts. Still, it is exciting that progress is being made!
You can see that the build up on the #7 piston is a different color. In addition, the electrode end of the spark plug was slightly rusty, which is just visible in the last picture, so as I pretty much knew, coolant was getting into that cylinder. The third picture is the head gasket from that side. Should it spread apart like that? Or is that indicative of a blown gasket? I am hoping that the block and heads are OK. Didn't notice any obvious cracks, but I need to clean it up more before I can be certain.
In other news, Texas Speed called me, and the new engine should be finished tomorrow, but I am looking at either next week, or the week after before I can make the drive down to get it due to work conflicts. Still, it is exciting that progress is being made!
Smoking gun. Yes, it's normal for the gasket to separate like that. Are my eyes messing with me or is there some corrosion in the water passage adjacent to the #7 cylinder?
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I followed your lead and bought all of the above, except for the 1.25". Thanks!!!
Head gasket is normal.. MLS = Multi Layered Steel... Pretty much a Must on
alum head and/or alum blocks so seal correctly...
I use the cometics on my traditional small block chevys since I use alum heads
and boost/nitrous..
alum head and/or alum blocks so seal correctly...
I use the cometics on my traditional small block chevys since I use alum heads
and boost/nitrous..
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Chooko
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I have not posted in a while because i have been busy between work and working on the Tahoe, but progress has been made. I spent quite a few hours working on sound deadening the doors. I purchased Killmat, which is similar to Dynamat, but significantly more affordable. Eventually I will do the entire interior, including under the carpet, on the metal of the roof, and some stuff in the dash. But for now I just want to get the doors complete and buttoned back up. I also installed my JBL speakers on the doors while I was at it.
I got as much coverage on the inside of the outer door skins as I could.
I didn't take any pictures of it, but I also ordered a a large quantity of accoustic foam, simialr to what you see on the inside of a recording studio, and cut pieces to fill all the voids inside the door panels. Not inside the door, because I didn't want to interfere with the windows going up and down, but in the back of the plastic door panels. All four doors are compelte, although I need to go back in and trim the Killmat away from a couple of mounting locations to get the door panels to sit flush. Overall, this job was easy, but also very time consuming.
I got as much coverage on the inside of the outer door skins as I could.
I didn't take any pictures of it, but I also ordered a a large quantity of accoustic foam, simialr to what you see on the inside of a recording studio, and cut pieces to fill all the voids inside the door panels. Not inside the door, because I didn't want to interfere with the windows going up and down, but in the back of the plastic door panels. All four doors are compelte, although I need to go back in and trim the Killmat away from a couple of mounting locations to get the door panels to sit flush. Overall, this job was easy, but also very time consuming.
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Chooko
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Texas Speed finished the engine, and I drove to their facility to pick it up.
Man, she's a beauty/
Man, she's a beauty/
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Chooko
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I had a lot of work to get the engine ready to go into the Tahoe. In particular, the front and rear covers and seals, as well as the windage tray, oil pickup, and oil pan needed to be installed. I bought a Milodon 31507 low profile oil pan, which I like because is has kick outs on the sides for extra capacity, and internal trap doors to ensure that the pickup always has oil even in a turn or under hard acceleration or deceleration. What I don't' care for is that the back of the oil pan is very different from stock, and lacks the bolt holes for the lower transmission bellhousing bolts. In addition, the two rear bolts that go into the rear cover need to be much shorter than the stock bolts, but the pan does not come with them. I had an ARP bolt kit, but had to find replacements for those two bolts which I found frustrating. You also have to use a Milodon oil pickup with the oil pan, but I didn't necessarily mind that because the Milodon pickup has two bolt holes where it attaches to the oil pump, and I made sure to put two bolts in it, vice the stock single bolt. Of course I put a new O-ring on the pickup, and lubricated and sealed it with SuperLube silicone O-ring grease. For the windage tray, I purchased a Mast motorsports 401-015 stroker windage tray, which gives plenty of clearance for my stroked engine. Here are the oil pickup and windage tray installed:
And here is a view of the gap between the windage tray and the crank weights and rod caps and bolts:
I turned the engine over by putting a breaker bar on the harmonic dampener bolt just to be sure.
I got a used but cleaned and repainted (I think) GM front cover, and ordered a new rear cover. Of course, new gaskets and seals were included as appropriate. Here is the back of the block with everything installed:
In addition, you might notice that the steam crossover in this picture on the back of the heads. The old heads had tapped bolt holes but eh water passages were blocked off. The water passages on the new engien are open. I decided that instead of blocking them off I'd install this flexible crossover, and then plumb it tothe front portion of the system. More to come on that once the engine is installed.
And here is a view of the gap between the windage tray and the crank weights and rod caps and bolts:
I turned the engine over by putting a breaker bar on the harmonic dampener bolt just to be sure.
I got a used but cleaned and repainted (I think) GM front cover, and ordered a new rear cover. Of course, new gaskets and seals were included as appropriate. Here is the back of the block with everything installed:
In addition, you might notice that the steam crossover in this picture on the back of the heads. The old heads had tapped bolt holes but eh water passages were blocked off. The water passages on the new engien are open. I decided that instead of blocking them off I'd install this flexible crossover, and then plumb it tothe front portion of the system. More to come on that once the engine is installed.
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Chooko
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In addition, the transmission rebuild is complete (in about half the time that I was quoted by CircleD no less!), and I drove down to Houston to pick it up.
My new torque converter took about a week longer than the transmission, but it was finally finished late last week, and CircleD shipped it to me free, and overnight. I have a friend coming over later this week to help me, and I am hoping to have the engine and transmission bolted back in the car. I also had my headers ceramic coated, and picked them up a coupe of days ago:
We'll see how it goes, but right now the plan is to get the engine in the bay, and a few inches up off the mounts, install the headers, and then lower the engine the last few inches. I'm told that having it up a few inches will make installing the headers significantly easier.
My new torque converter took about a week longer than the transmission, but it was finally finished late last week, and CircleD shipped it to me free, and overnight. I have a friend coming over later this week to help me, and I am hoping to have the engine and transmission bolted back in the car. I also had my headers ceramic coated, and picked them up a coupe of days ago:
We'll see how it goes, but right now the plan is to get the engine in the bay, and a few inches up off the mounts, install the headers, and then lower the engine the last few inches. I'm told that having it up a few inches will make installing the headers significantly easier.
