Chevy 5.7 rebuild with pics!

[sniper7]

Well, this has been an ongoing project and while it isn't quite done, it should be by this weekend and I'll hopefully have more pictures added and a bit of info on how the first start and run etc went.

pulled from a 99 tahoe. 182K. Had a valve tick. turned into a rocker arm slap. My buddy has a nice shop where we can do all this. Has been a great learning experience for me thus far.

Keeping it stock. Bore was good, crank was good, cam was good. Got a nice rebuild kit, felpro gaskets, lots of new accessory parts. had a full valve job done on the heads at the machine shop, polished crank, checked rods, hot washed block. So far I would say I'm about $1k deep into it. not too terrible considering, but has been priceless as far as learning goes. Now I want to do another one!

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z386/citation10_photos/1999%20Chevy%20Tahoe/2012-12-14_11-17-29_617_zpsfa0aa182.jpg

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z386/citation10_photos/1999%20Chevy%20Tahoe/2012-12-15_14-40-05_137_zpsd6b056f3.jpg

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z386/citation10_photos/1999%20Chevy%20Tahoe/2012-12-15_15-24-21_23_zps7eccd011.jpg

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z386/citation10_photos/1999%20Chevy%20Tahoe/photobucket-8876-1357805021936.jpg

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z386/citation10_photos/1999%20Chevy%20Tahoe/2012-12-15_15-42-48_764_zps66dbd457.jpg

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z386/citation10_photos/1999%20Chevy%20Tahoe/2012-12-14_11-12-19_991_zpsb89fa92a.jpg

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z386/citation10_photos/1999%20Chevy%20Tahoe/photobucket-1410-1357801943240.jpg

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z386/citation10_photos/1999%20Chevy%20Tahoe/photobucket-7799-1357801944955.jpg

[bogie]

That's t!t$ man. Well done. [Beer]

What's next?

[zteknik]

Nice job!!
I wish I had the time to do that stuff again :(

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

Keep up the good work. Learn good. I've got a 96 that prolly needs it.

[husky390]

Nice. I'd recommend using the old green coolant, not the orange crap they put in them from the factory. That way your intake manifold gaskets wont leak after 60,000 miles. Oh yeah, be sure to replace that POS plastic heater hose fitting with a brass one on the intake manifold. Just my 2cents based on experience.

[JMBD2112]

Nice. I'd recommend using the old green coolant, not the orange crap they put in them from the factory. That way your intake manifold gaskets wont leak after 60,000 miles. Oh yeah, be sure to replace that POS plastic heater hose fitting with a brass one on the intake manifold. Just my 2cents based on experience.

Yep, dex-cool is actually hard on aluminum as well, so yeah stick with green. plus its a little easier on your wallet. By the way good job!

[mahabali]

Nice work! Way too complicated for me!

[sniper7]

thanks guys!Already got all the accessories put on, and upper intake manifold, just forgot to take pictures of it last time. Should hopefully be done with weekend. Will spend all day thursday on it and tried to have it in and started ready to go. Biggest issue was my buddy who told me not to mess with the water port that threads into the lower intake manifold...did it himself...snapped that cheap pot metal crap right off.we tried to easy out the threading...didn't work...it cracked! got a new one though, so not biggie.
they have a awesome media blaster that makes parts look brand new!I love that thing!
Hopefully I'll have an update this weekend with it running.  we shall see!

[sniper7]

Yep, dex-cool is actually hard on aluminum as well, so yeah stick with green. plus its a little easier on your wallet. By the way good job!

thanks! I'll definitely get the green.

[NitroxBoss]

Lookin Good!

[sniper7]

UPDATE!!!

Got it all done. Here are more pics!

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z386/citation10_photos/1999%20Chevy%20Tahoe/photobucket-7815-1358732003951.jpg

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z386/citation10_photos/1999%20Chevy%20Tahoe/photobucket-7768-1358731985454.jpg

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z386/citation10_photos/1999%20Chevy%20Tahoe/photobucket-7792-1358732022321.jpg

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z386/citation10_photos/1999%20Chevy%20Tahoe/photobucket-7906-1358732025801.jpg

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z386/citation10_photos/1999%20Chevy%20Tahoe/photobucket-1709-1358731940121.jpg

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z386/citation10_photos/1999%20Chevy%20Tahoe/photobucket-6972-1358732003055.jpg

[sniper7]

Got it running right away. Scared us at first with a little smoke, but found it was off the exhaust manifold gaskets and it went away after warming up for a little bit. Does have an exhaust leak at the flange though...should have bought new donuts and gaskets. That is on the to-do list along with a few others to get it really good and reliable.

So far no leaks, no burning oil or anything, fluids are looking good. Drove it today and it did nice, tested the heater, a/c, cruise, radio, etc and everything seemed to work good and cause no problems. still need to test the 4x4, will do that when I get back home and I am close in case anything goes bad, doubting it will, but just want to be sure!

Overall it was a great project, pretty fun to do, had a few challenging moments. getting the engine installed just right was a downright bitch. we just couldn't get the angle right to line up the bell house and get it over the engine mounts at the same time and be at the right angle. we eventually got it, but we were a bit frustrated!

Now I just need to get it timed perfectly, which I plan on meeting up with a member here to get it done right! I think I have it pretty close, but not gnats ass yet!

[sniper7]

Yep, dex-cool is actually hard on aluminum as well, so yeah stick with green. plus its a little easier on your wallet. By the way good job!

got the green like you and husky390 recommended! and new radiator hoses and water pump! also took the reservoir off and cleaned it..pretty nasty in there.

[Shootersfab]

Nice work man!

[blacklabel]

That's awesome. Nice work!

[jerrymrc]

got the green like you and husky390 recommended! and new radiator hoses and water pump! also took the reservoir off and cleaned it..pretty nasty in there.

And just a FYI for those that are thinking. My Dex-Cool turned to chunks after 4 years. A complete flush/clean was in order but I knew what was coming. A year later the water pump died. All this in 60K. If you switch be prepared to do many back flushes and replace the water pump.

I do recommend the prestone green that is compatible with dex-cool. Over the years there have been many times I have told people that the GM engineers have many resources and some do not understand why they do what they do but I firmly believe that Dex-Cool was a good idea that failed in the real world.

Just an old wrench's 2 cents.[Flower]

[GlockDog47]

Looks good. Nice job

[jimmym40a2]

Great job!

[DSB OUTDOORS]

Congrats! Looks good. I don't miss projects like this one. But I have one in the future, not looking forward to it!

[husky390]

Congrats! Sorry, I forgot to mention the exhaust donuts. I had one go bad in my 96 Yukon for no know reason. Also, you mention 4wd. I would recommend buying a front diff actuator and throwing it in the glovebox. I think they are only $60-80. I had one go out on a 97 p/u. Ever since then, I've kept an extra.

[cofi]

. Now I want to do another one

buy the 454 out of my yukon and have at it :)

im doing a cummins swap the hell with gas engines

[husky390]

Oh yeah, if you haven't replaced the fuel pump yet, you may want to put that on the list. They typically go out around 135k miles. When you do it, make sure to buy a Delphi unit.

[DD977GM2]

I have tore apart multi million dollar corrugated box machines and rebuild them and yet I have never tore apart an engine and rebuilt it.

One day I will.

Awesome post, thanks for sharing [M2]

[dwalker460]

I get to rebuld a lot of engines unfortunately. The last one was earlier this year at Sears Point Raceway (they call it Sonoma now) when I tore down 4 RX-8 rotary engines to get enough parts to make one good engine, in the parking lot. I literally assembled it with a crowd watching and yes, we made it on track.
Next up for me is a 6.6 Duramax.
Rebuilding engines is a fair amount of work, but its fun work and you can see your progress.

[spittoon]

Did you have the cylinders honed ?? did you put in new piston rings?

[dwalker460]

Did you have the cylinders honed ?? did you put in new piston rings?

Rotaries dont have pistons or cylinders :-p

Ohhh you meant the Chebby motor....

[cofi]

I get to rebuld a lot of engines unfortunately. The last one was earlier this year at Sears Point Raceway (they call it Sonoma now) when I tore down 4 RX-8 rotary engines to get enough parts to make one good engine, in the parking lot. I literally assembled it with a crowd watching and yes, we made it on track.
Next up for me is a 6.6 Duramax.
Rebuilding engines is a fair amount of work, but its fun work and you can see your progress.is there any way you need a track bitch? I'll change tires....sweep....get coffee whatever

[sniper7]

Did you have the cylinders honed ?? did you put in new piston rings?

Yes to both! Almost got new pistons but everyone told me these were good to go.

[dwalker460]

is there any way you need a track bitch? I'll change tires....sweep....get coffee whatever

actually almost all of my crew is volunteer so we are always looking for help actually, so feel free to pm or text me and we can talk.