Just Fishing's 09 Tahoe Build thread

[Rocket Man]

Glad you got it out!

Yes, **** those upper bell housing bolts. That was the biggest ***** of the whole process. I fought with them from the bottom, finally succeeded. Mine is going back in with the intake off the engine so I can get at them from the top.

They’re really not that bad if you pull the trans mount and lower the tail down, then you can see them. Use a 3-4’ extension on your ratchet.

 

[pwtr02ss]

They’re really not that bad if you pull the trans mount and lower the tail down, then you can see them. Use a 3-4’ extension on your ratchet.

Avalanche has a crossmember welded in that won't let the transfer case fall passed it. Didn't have a swivel socket that would get on the upper transfer case bolts to remove it.

 

[Rocket Man]

Avalanche has a crossmember welded in that won't let the transfer case fall passed it. Didn't have a swivel socket that would get on the upper transfer case bolts to remove it.

Crap. That sucks. I know the transfer case on my 02 is a real ***** to get to the top bolt. There’s always that one damn bolt.

 

[pwtr02ss]

Crap. That sucks. I know the transfer case on my 02 is a real ***** to get to the top bolt. There’s always that one damn bolt.

I'm not sure why they have a welded in brace. It sure hinders things

 

[Just Fishing]

Noticed i didn't have a bellhousing bolt on the passenger side.
I started wondering if i just forgot taking it out or something...

but with the engine out, i don't see threads in the block for it.

I'm totally trimming off that double headed bolt end off of a few of these fasteners when I'm putting the engine back in.

with the new block, if it has the hole, then i guess i'll get a bolt for it...

i can't wait to see what the mains look like.

 

[Just Fishing]

Thoughts/help needed on this parts list?
I'm not sure if the pistons are correct for the 6.0...

I'll probably need rods too, but pending to see what they look like.


Fel-Pro 26192PT - Fel-Pro PermaTorque MLS Head Gaskets
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fel-26192pt

Fel-Pro MS92467 - Fel-Pro Exhaust Manifold Gaskets
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fel-ms92467

Fel-Pro BS40640 - Fel-Pro Rear Main Seal Cover Gaskets
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fel-bs40640

Fel-Pro TCS45993 - Fel-Pro Timing Cover Gaskets
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fel-tcs45993

Improved Racing Products EGM-501 - Improved Racing Engine Block Oil Galley Barbell Plugs
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/irp-egm-501

Chevrolet Performance 19369841 - Chevrolet Performance 6.0L Gen IV Cast Iron Engine Blocks
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-19369841

Summit Racing SUM-180363 - Summit Racing Equipment® Nodular Crankshafts
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-180363

Chevrolet Performance 12623063 - Chevrolet Performance Stock Replacement Non-DOD Camshafts
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-12623063

Sealed Power HT2148 - Sealed Power Hydraulic Roller Lifters
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/slp-ht-2148

Sealed Power 7298MA - Sealed Power MA Series Main Bearings
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/slp-7298ma

Sealed Power 82555A - Sealed Power A-Series Rod Bearings
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/slp-8-2555a

Sealed Power H1129CPA - Speed-Pro Hypereutectic Pistons
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/slp-h1129cpa

Sealed Power E-921K - Sealed Power Plasma-Moly Piston Ring Sets
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/slp-e-921k

Summit Racing SUM-174002 - Summit Racing® Valve Springs
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-174002

Summit Racing SUM-910211 - Summit Racing® Cylinder Head Bolt Kits
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-910211

Summit Racing SUM-910229 - Summit Racing® LS Main Cap Bolt Kits
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-910229

Chevrolet Performance 11570662 - Chevrolet Performance Connecting Rod Bolts
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-11570662

ARP 234-2503 - ARP Balancer Bolts
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/arp-234-2503

Summit Racing® Plastigage SUM-PG1
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-pg1

Summit Racing SUM-G1009 - Summit Racing® Engine Bags
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g1009

 

[pwtr02ss]

I like the gm lifters and springs but that’s just me. I suggest the arp manifold bolts too. I’m anxious to see what you find is the problem. Get that ****** apart lol

 

[Just Fishing]

i had a free moment, installed the shorter bolts on the engine stand, and flipped that ***** over and popped off the main caps.
So far so good...

Main bearings being ok makes me very happy...
My biggest worry was that the main bearings could damage the transmission.
That said, i have not seen the underside yet.

Next the rod caps...

I'll get pictures soon, just busy with work.

 

[Just Fishing]

ok i couldn't take it,

i carefully zipped off each rod cap and glanced at them.
still nothing obvious.

Like it does show signs of trash in the oil everywhere, but for the miles it does not look half bad.
(going off of youtube videos, not like i know anything)

front main cap bearing looks the worst, but it's still silver in color.

This should be fun to figure out wtf.

 

[Rocket Man]

Noticed i didn't have a bellhousing bolt on the passenger side.
I started wondering if i just forgot taking it out or something...

but with the engine out, i don't see threads in the block for it.

I'm totally trimming off that double headed bolt end off of a few of these fasteners when I'm putting the engine back in.

with the new block, if it has the hole, then i guess i'll get a bolt for it...

i can't wait to see what the mains look like.

Those are studs, meant for adding a nut to hold things in place like wire harnesses or the transmission dipstick. The bolt goes in, then you have a stud to attach things using a nut. On my 02 there are 3 of them and they’re all used. Are you sure you didn’t pull the nuts off and then the accessories fell off and you didn’t notice? I know it’s hard to see up there but you don’t want to pinch a wiring harness between the bellhousing and block. Pretty sure you at least need the one for the trans dipstick.

 

[Just Fishing]

Those are studs, meant for adding a nut to hold things in place like wire harnesses or the transmission dipstick. The bolt goes in, then you have a stud to attach things using a nut. On my 02 there are 3 of them and they’re all used. Are you sure you didn’t pull the nuts off and then the accessories fell off and you didn’t notice? I know it’s hard to see up there but you don’t want to pinch a wiring harness between the bellhousing and block. Pretty sure you at least need the one for the trans dipstick.

every single one of those bolts except for the bottom two at the oil pan were double sided nuts.

And i don't see anything dangling.

 

[iamdub]

Noticed i didn't have a bellhousing bolt on the passenger side.
I started wondering if i just forgot taking it out or something...

but with the engine out, i don't see threads in the block for it.

I'm totally trimming off that double headed bolt end off of a few of these fasteners when I'm putting the engine back in.

with the new block, if it has the hole, then i guess i'll get a bolt for it...

i can't wait to see what the mains look like.

There should be eight bolts. I think there's an extra hole/ear in the bellhousing but no corresponding threaded boss in the block. This is because of a minor difference in the LS versus Gen2 SBC. The bellhousing has the traditional SBC bolt pattern. Where that unused bellhousing hole is, the corresponding area in the LS would be a water jacket (I think- but it's something you don't wanna drill or thread in to).

 

[pwtr02ss]

every single one of those bolts except for the bottom two at the oil pan were double sided nuts.

And i don't see anything dangling.

Best I remember your fuel line mounts to one on driver side, something else on driver side, and then trans dipstick on passenger. The rest should be standard bolts. bastards.

glad to hear the bearings are good so far. We check mine, this was the worse one. Minor trash, nothing to be concerned about. 200k

 

[Just Fishing]

yeah i tore that ***** apart, detective Pikachu etc.

so i don't know quite were the fk the metal sparkles were coming from yet.

And the thing is, it's not like it was just a little.
It was quite a bit.
super fine.
filled the pan, and it was everywhere.

Small amount from the filter for example.

I'm pulling the cam bearings next, but so far it looks pretty standard.

Before the dod delete a few months ago for example,

I see a few more that look a bit worse, but so far it does not explain the amount of sparkles i saw once before the dod delete.
And then the follow up afterwards.



New pictures coming later, maybe sometime this week or this weekend.

 

[iamdub]

Best I remember your fuel line mounts to one on driver side, something else on driver side, and then trans dipstick on passenger.

Transmission vent hose is in the center:

...Them top bellhousing bolts/studs secure the transmission vent hose, fuel line bracket and transmission dipstick bracket.

 

[Just Fishing]

and so far the engine looks pretty freaking good.
Carbon build up like crazy around the pistons.
Almost looked like an oil ring was stuck there for a minute.

Almost Looks like i could just polish the crank, toss in new bearings, rings and a hone and keep rocking it.

 

[iamdub]

and so far the engine looks pretty freaking good.
Carbon build up like crazy around the pistons.
Almost looked like an oil ring was stuck there for a minute.

Almost Looks like i could just polish the crank, toss in new bearings, rings and a hone and keep rocking it.

You probably could. That's pretty much a full rebuild. I didn't replace a single bearing in mine and I'd road trip it at any time with confidence.

I still can't think of what would cause that color of glitter in your oil, though. The only thing close is crank and cam bearing material beyond the babbitt.

 

[pwtr02ss]

and so far the engine looks pretty freaking good.
Carbon build up like crazy around the pistons.
Almost looked like an oil ring was stuck there for a minute.

Almost Looks like i could just polish the crank, toss in new bearings, rings and a hone and keep rocking it.

That would be a huge money saver!

I'm glad to hear nothing catastrophic yet. Not sure where the flakes are coming from though

 

[Just Fishing]

it has to be a cam bearing is my thoughts.
The only thing nagging at me, with so much glitter I was expecting to see a spun bearing or something catastrophic...

this hoe has had a large list of owners, many of them having it for about a year max.

nagging at me to just scrap the engine and go new...

(and i do want 6.0)

 

[Rocket Man]

every single one of those bolts except for the bottom two at the oil pan were double sided nuts.

And i don't see anything dangling.

Best I remember your fuel line mounts to one on driver side, something else on driver side, and then trans dipstick on passenger. The rest should be standard bolts. bastards.

glad to hear the bearings are good so far. We check mine, this was the worse one. Minor trash, nothing to be concerned about. 200k
View attachment 274084

Transmission vent hose is in the center:

So obviously somebody else has had the trans out. Now I remember mine- fuel lines on driver side. Trans vent hose on top, trans wiring harness I think on passenger near top, then trans dipstick on passenger center. There should be 4 studs and the rest bolts. Sounds like whoever was in there before didn’t reattach everything and just left shit dangling.