Mangonesailor
I'm Awesome
Hey guys!
I picked up a '97 2500 yesterday in good shape in northern NC. I figured I'd come here to start learning more about the truck and share what I do with the truck in the future. I've been tinkering with cars a good amount my whole life, but I'd like to learn a little more about what I'm getting into before I start doing anything major to it.
So, here's what I know about the truck:
'97, 2500, 454, 98kmi, 4x4, silverado package, G80, 4.11's, 8600GVWR (has a 10.5"), it towed a 5th wheel for a short amount of time, no body cancer, frame is straight, engine runs well, and the tranny shifts fine also. It's got a little seepage from the rear main, tranny pan, and T-case main output but it's not bad. I'm also in need of a new stud in a rear wheel... I'll get to that in moment. The radiator was replaced because it leaked and it was full of "stop leak." He explained that the radiator was half-clogged with "stop leak" so he flushed the block and replaced the heater core. When I looked at the coolant bottle it had the red lettering and also the coolant bottle seemed full of muddy mess on the inside. Radiator was full of green coolant, so I'm confident in saying that there wasn't "stop leak" introduced to the block and it was Dex-cool doing its thing and turning to mud. Luckily the front end is in great shape and the front diff isn't leaking, 4x4 works, and everything functions properly. PO installed new axle shafts and a hub for the pass. side. All new pads/shoes/rotors as well.
-This leads me to a question: Do the intake manifold gaskets on these 454's and older 350/305's tend to fail? I have a slight coolant leak that seems to be coming from the passenger side of the lower plenum OR the water pump where it bolts to the block. The w/p has obviously been replaced and the plenum seems to have been removed in the past at some point.
-Does anyone know about "Jet Performance modules" and what, exactly, they're supposed to do? Are they just a box that fools the ECU into thinking the intake charge is colder or are they worth it? My truck has one... and i'm questioning if I should remove it.
-Are there any other things I should look out for or prepare myself in the futur? Any "Mile Markers" that 454's have?
-Finally, looking at my picture, can anyone tell me what wheel that is?
Before anyone says anything, I know it's not a Z71. I'm removing the vinyls on Monday but plan on at least keeping the 454 sticker on the tailgate. The rest of them are leaving. Also, the taillights are going to be replaced with factory ones. It came with a set of Ultra Motorsports wheels. 20x9's and chrome. They look cheap, and I think they'd look a lot better if I painted them a gunmetal color... but are they worth a crap? They're rated for 3500/each, but they're also Chinese. If they're junk I'm putting them on craigslist.
PICTURES:
'Preciate it!
I picked up a '97 2500 yesterday in good shape in northern NC. I figured I'd come here to start learning more about the truck and share what I do with the truck in the future. I've been tinkering with cars a good amount my whole life, but I'd like to learn a little more about what I'm getting into before I start doing anything major to it.
So, here's what I know about the truck:
'97, 2500, 454, 98kmi, 4x4, silverado package, G80, 4.11's, 8600GVWR (has a 10.5"), it towed a 5th wheel for a short amount of time, no body cancer, frame is straight, engine runs well, and the tranny shifts fine also. It's got a little seepage from the rear main, tranny pan, and T-case main output but it's not bad. I'm also in need of a new stud in a rear wheel... I'll get to that in moment. The radiator was replaced because it leaked and it was full of "stop leak." He explained that the radiator was half-clogged with "stop leak" so he flushed the block and replaced the heater core. When I looked at the coolant bottle it had the red lettering and also the coolant bottle seemed full of muddy mess on the inside. Radiator was full of green coolant, so I'm confident in saying that there wasn't "stop leak" introduced to the block and it was Dex-cool doing its thing and turning to mud. Luckily the front end is in great shape and the front diff isn't leaking, 4x4 works, and everything functions properly. PO installed new axle shafts and a hub for the pass. side. All new pads/shoes/rotors as well.
-This leads me to a question: Do the intake manifold gaskets on these 454's and older 350/305's tend to fail? I have a slight coolant leak that seems to be coming from the passenger side of the lower plenum OR the water pump where it bolts to the block. The w/p has obviously been replaced and the plenum seems to have been removed in the past at some point.
-Does anyone know about "Jet Performance modules" and what, exactly, they're supposed to do? Are they just a box that fools the ECU into thinking the intake charge is colder or are they worth it? My truck has one... and i'm questioning if I should remove it.
-Are there any other things I should look out for or prepare myself in the futur? Any "Mile Markers" that 454's have?
-Finally, looking at my picture, can anyone tell me what wheel that is?
Before anyone says anything, I know it's not a Z71. I'm removing the vinyls on Monday but plan on at least keeping the 454 sticker on the tailgate. The rest of them are leaving. Also, the taillights are going to be replaced with factory ones. It came with a set of Ultra Motorsports wheels. 20x9's and chrome. They look cheap, and I think they'd look a lot better if I painted them a gunmetal color... but are they worth a crap? They're rated for 3500/each, but they're also Chinese. If they're junk I'm putting them on craigslist.
PICTURES:
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'Preciate it!
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