The reckoning has arrived - big $$$

[intheburbs]

My 2500 Suburban has been the best vehicle I've ever owned. Completely reliable (except for the computer running me out of gas a few times), very low cost of ownership as the odometer rolled 200k miles.

Had a major issue with her - loss of oil pressure. The result was engine damage, and the oil looking like metal flake paint. I looked at used car prices, 2500 prices, and decided I'm going to keep her long-term.

GM remanufactured engine - 100k mile warranty. Replaced some leaky cooler lines. A few other things. Decided AGAINST any performance mods - cam, forced induction, etc - since whatever I did was still bolting up to a 200k mile transmission. If the transmission goes, then, well, we might do some "improvements."

Next up - new braking system - Powerstop Z36 calipers, rotors and pads, new power steering pump (hydroboost brakes), new master cylinder. Freaking Walmart had the best price on the PowerStop kit - $824. Should look pretty sharp with the red powder-coated calipers peeking out from the wheels.

Closing in on $10k invested.

A few pics to start....More updates coming....Brakes will be done in a few weeks...

My baby

Out with the old - guess the manifold leaks were the cause of the ticking? LoL

In with the new...

 

[Larryjb]

2nd picture.... Didn't know the Escalade was FWD with transverse engine!

My father did an engine swap on an International Traveller. Delivery truck lowered the engine into the engine bay while the truck was in our driveway. Those were simpler days.

Hopeful

 

[intheburbs]

2nd picture.... Didn't know the Escalade was FWD with transverse engine!

My father did an engine swap on an International Traveller. Delivery truck lowered the engine into the engine bay while the truck was in our driveway. Those were simpler days.

Hopeful

The way it was explained to me is that the engine has to be turned 90° in the engine bay before hoisting it out.

 

[Tonyrodz]

My 2500 Suburban has been the best vehicle I've ever owned. Completely reliable (except for the computer running me out of gas a few times), very low cost of ownership as the odometer rolled 200k miles.

Had a major issue with her - loss of oil pressure. The result was engine damage, and the oil looking like metal flake paint. I looked at used car prices, 2500 prices, and decided I'm going to keep her long-term.

GM remanufactured engine - 100k mile warranty. Replaced some leaky cooler lines. A few other things. Decided AGAINST any performance mods - cam, forced induction, etc - since whatever I did was still bolting up to a 200k mile transmission. If the transmission goes, then, well, we might do some "improvements."

Next up - new braking system - Powerstop Z36 calipers, rotors and pads, new power steering pump (hydroboost brakes), new master cylinder. Freaking Walmart had the best price on the PowerStop kit - $824. Should look pretty sharp with the red powder-coated calipers peeking out from the wheels.

Closing in on $10k invested.

A few pics to start....More updates coming....Brakes will be done in a few weeks...

My baby

Out with the old - guess the manifold leaks were the cause of the ticking? LoL

In with the new...

Was the old block salvageable, or did you have to return it as a core?

 

[intheburbs]

Was the old block salvageable, or did you have to return it as a core?

Sent in as a core. Could have rebuilt it, but I liked the 100k mile warranty of the GM re-man. I'm playing the long game now. Difference in price was easily justified by the warranty.

 

[Dantheman1540]

Sent in as a core. Could have rebuilt it, but I liked the 100k mile warranty of the GM re-man. I'm playing the long game now. Difference in price was easily justified by the warranty.

Getting that reman with a warranty is such a good deal, that's likely the route I will go in the future and not dick around with rebuilding headaches. This is a cool build to see even if it's going back stock, not many people mod the 2500s and I think everyone can appreciate going back to stock for realiability.

 

[OR VietVet]

The way it was explained to me is that the engine has to be turned 90° in the engine bay before hoisting it out.

Spinning an engine in the engine bay before lifting out, now that sounds like fun, not! I have done some things over the years to get engines out and in a van bay or the engine bays where they are tucked way back in there, but spinning in the bay to remove is a first for me.

Man, when you remove an engine you need to get all the help you have with it to wear gloves to keep from getting all that filth on the outside of the rig. Second pic again.

That is a very sharp looking rig.

 

[Larryjb]

When we did the International, we removed the front grill so we could move it forwards. I suppose if he was able to spin it 90, that saved a lot of work dismantling the grill.

 

[OR VietVet]

I have done my share of van front grille and radiator and everything else removal for engine replacement. PITA

 

[Larryjb]

My father in law used to have a '60's Bug. He took it in to have a tune-up and the guy removed the engine. My FIL freaked out until the guy explained that it's so fast to take the engine right out and pop the plugs out and in!

 

[tom3]

Does the GM warranty apply with the self install? Have read that an approved shop has to do the work. That's a good looking machine, especially after 200K miles in Michigan.

 

[intheburbs]

Does the GM warranty apply with the self install? Have read that an approved shop has to do the work. That's a good looking machine, especially after 200K miles in Michigan.

Not sure. Had the engine swap done at my buddy's shop, and they are an authorized GM shop. Not a job I was willing to take on myself. We'll do the brakes at my buddy's house - he's been a mechanic for 30 years. I got rid of a lot of my specialty tools a long time ago and only now am starting to rebuild the collection.

Regarding her condition - she's not a daily driver, and she's been garaged religiously for the 7 1/2 years I've owned her. Only light surface rust on some spots underneath, and zero body rust. In an average month, she sits for 28 days, and works for 3.

 

[intheburbs]

Parts trickling in...new AC/Delco PS pump, new AC/Delco master cylinder, Gates high-pressure hoses - all received.

The Powerstop kit from Walmart was only half right. Two sets of front calipers/rotors/pads. One 8-lug, one 6-lug.

Ordered the same kit from Auto Anything, just got the notice it's shipping out today. So probably next weekend we'll get on replacing all that stuff. It'll be a good Father's Day present to myself.

 

[OR VietVet]

Man, I love to see UPS, USPS and Fed Ex pull up with my parts.

I have seen some bad reports about Fed Ex for deliveries but I must be lucky. My Fed Ex guy is always there when he is supposed to be. Maybe he has a great route.

 

[intheburbs]

One of the calipers... These should look good peeking out through the wheels...

 

[intheburbs]

Well, I guess this is why the emergency/parking brake never worked, eh?

I have to admit I'm torn - I like my stuff working properly, but I've also gone 7 years without it, so do I spend the extra money?



We would need to pull hubs and we'd need seals, gaskets, lube, e-brake shoes and e-brake hardware.

I think I'll pass at the moment.

 

[OR VietVet]

 

[swathdiver]

Well, I guess this is why the emergency/parking brake never worked, eh?

I have to admit I'm torn - I like my stuff working properly, but I've also gone 7 years without it, so do I spend the extra money?

View attachment 281300

We would need to pull hubs and we'd need seals, gaskets, lube, e-brake shoes and e-brake hardware.

I think I'll pass at the moment.

Without the parking brake, all that weight is on the parking pawl in the transmission, even more so if she's not parked level.

 

[OR VietVet]

That is why it is called a parking brake and not an emergency brake.

 

[Tonyv__]

My 2500 Suburban has been the best vehicle I've ever owned. Completely reliable (except for the computer running me out of gas a few times), very low cost of ownership as the odometer rolled 200k miles.

Had a major issue with her - loss of oil pressure. The result was engine damage, and the oil looking like metal flake paint. I looked at used car prices, 2500 prices, and decided I'm going to keep her long-term.

GM remanufactured engine - 100k mile warranty. Replaced some leaky cooler lines. A few other things. Decided AGAINST any performance mods - cam, forced induction, etc - since whatever I did was still bolting up to a 200k mile transmission. If the transmission goes, then, well, we might do some "improvements."

Next up - new braking system - Powerstop Z36 calipers, rotors and pads, new power steering pump (hydroboost brakes), new master cylinder. Freaking Walmart had the best price on the PowerStop kit - $824. Should look pretty sharp with the red powder-coated calipers peeking out from the wheels.

Closing in on $10k invested.

A few pics to start....More updates coming....Brakes will be done in a few weeks...

My baby

Out with the old - guess the manifold leaks were the cause of the ticking? LoL

In with the new...

What did the engine run you? My 08 express van has the 6.0 in it so I’m expecting it to have a similar engine as this. Runs good for now but something is telling me to prepare for the worst