Jetson105
Newbie
Nov/Dec 2014 - 5.7 Vortec Engine rebuild top end
GMT400 with 180k on it, I guess you all knew there was bound to be a blood and guts post at some point. I had the transmission rebuilt in 2012, but I had a trans shop do that so the only thing I have to show for it is a bill almost equal to the price I paid for the truck.
My uncle and my cousin are both mechanics and my uncle has been building engines since the 60s so they helped me out with the engine work. It was kinda low on power and was told that intake gaskets are a weak point, so I thought I'd replace those. Simple job, right? For some reason I thought it was a good idea to start the project at the end of November, in PA, in the shop's parking lot.
Anyway, disassembled the top end, sent the cylinder heads out to test and both had hairline cracks, so in the end I had
new gaskets
new aftermarket cylinder heads
valve job
new water pump (that turned from grey to rust about 5 min after I installed it - not happy)
new radiator (old one was cruddy inside)
new GM radiator hoses
new fan clutch
replaced the radiator support due to severe rust and previous accident damage
and I'm probably forgetting something
Intake gaskets, that's an easy job
While we're there better check the cylinder heads, because I don't want to do this again.
Last cylinder head I worked on was a 1970s Datsun L series OHC 4 cylinder. How does the Chevy work without lash pads?
When I bought the truck the guy said at some point it had hit a school bus (high bumper). Nothing was leaking, but the front end behind the grille was shaped like a C, and the rad support was seriously rusted out. Since I've got this apart now and 'I don't want to do this again' I took an emergency trip up to Harrys 2 days after Christmas (read cold, snow) and grabbed a good condition rad support out of a suburban to replace this.
Back together, before installing the fan shroud.
GMT400 with 180k on it, I guess you all knew there was bound to be a blood and guts post at some point. I had the transmission rebuilt in 2012, but I had a trans shop do that so the only thing I have to show for it is a bill almost equal to the price I paid for the truck.
My uncle and my cousin are both mechanics and my uncle has been building engines since the 60s so they helped me out with the engine work. It was kinda low on power and was told that intake gaskets are a weak point, so I thought I'd replace those. Simple job, right? For some reason I thought it was a good idea to start the project at the end of November, in PA, in the shop's parking lot.
Anyway, disassembled the top end, sent the cylinder heads out to test and both had hairline cracks, so in the end I had
new gaskets
new aftermarket cylinder heads
valve job
new water pump (that turned from grey to rust about 5 min after I installed it - not happy)
new radiator (old one was cruddy inside)
new GM radiator hoses
new fan clutch
replaced the radiator support due to severe rust and previous accident damage
and I'm probably forgetting something
Intake gaskets, that's an easy job
You must be registered for see images attach
While we're there better check the cylinder heads, because I don't want to do this again.
You must be registered for see images attach
Last cylinder head I worked on was a 1970s Datsun L series OHC 4 cylinder. How does the Chevy work without lash pads?
You must be registered for see images attach
When I bought the truck the guy said at some point it had hit a school bus (high bumper). Nothing was leaking, but the front end behind the grille was shaped like a C, and the rad support was seriously rusted out. Since I've got this apart now and 'I don't want to do this again' I took an emergency trip up to Harrys 2 days after Christmas (read cold, snow) and grabbed a good condition rad support out of a suburban to replace this.
You must be registered for see images attach
Back together, before installing the fan shroud.
You must be registered for see images attach
Last edited: