Growing up doesn't have to suck

[iamdub]

Awesome! Glad it didn't hurt the piston and you can get by with a semi painless repair. Well, much less painful than a complete engine swap

I still found myself plotting out the process to make sure I shouldn't proceed with swapping it. I mean, it's a few converter bolts, bellhousing bolts, mount bolts, A/C compressor and bracket, unplugging a few sensors from the underside, unbolting the oil cooler and lifting it out.

But then I'd also have to open up the LC9 to re-seal. Once inside, I'd be hard-pressed to not swap my cam, oil pump, timing set, etc. over to it. I'd have exactly what I had before except be ~80 lbs. lighter and have an iron block on the side ready to be modded. But, time isn't on my side here.

I can slap this one back together and have exactly what I had before (except with new valve springs) and I'd feel better about taking it on a trip. It's the devil I know.

I'll leave the LC9 on the stand and work on it at my own pace- checking it out internally, cleaning it, deleting AFM ("stock" cam or mild performance), refurbish the heads, geek out on the valve train geometry, etc. Maybe build it as a clone to my LMG, maybe even turned up a notch so it'd be a direct swap with minimal tuning needed. It's really tempting to make an LS6 out of it, but with a truck-oriented cam.

 

[pwtr02ss]

I still found myself plotting out the process to make sure I shouldn't proceed with swapping it. I mean, it's a few converter bolts, bellhousing bolts, mount bolts, A/C compressor and bracket, unplugging a few sensors from the underside, unbolting the oil cooler and lifting it out.

But then I'd also have to open up the LC9 to re-seal. Once inside, I'd be hard-pressed to not swap my cam, oil pump, timing set, etc. over to it. I'd have exactly what I had before except be ~80 lbs. lighter and have an iron block on the side ready to be modded. But, time isn't on my side here.

I can slap this one back together and have exactly what I had before (except with new valve springs) and I'd feel better about taking it on a trip. It's the devil I know.

I'll leave the LC9 on the stand and work on it at my own pace- checking it out internally, cleaning it, deleting AFM ("stock" cam or mild performance), refurbish the heads, geek out on the valve train geometry, etc. Maybe build it as a clone to my LMG, maybe even turned up a notch so it'd be a direct swap with minimal tuning needed. It's really tempting to make an LS6 out of it, but with a truck-oriented cam.

I totally understand the dilemma. When the time comes, I know it will be an exceptional piece. I wish I had gone a little more radical in the cam department on the avalanche. I may end up changing it at some point. I'd love to put a whipple on it but I don't think I have the stomach to spend that kind of money on it. Time will tell I suppose

 

[iamdub]

Valve spring compressor was delivered Tuesday and new valve springs were delivered Wednesday. Been working late so I've been in the shop late and now my sleep schedule is fooked.

Last night:
Replaced the valve with one removed from some junk 706 heads and lapped it in.

Inspected the contact edge of the rest of the valves and determined they didn't need any work. These heads were re-done less than 20K ago.

Swapped the springs on the head.

Disassembled the head gasket to clean between the layers to make it as sanitary as possible. Sprayed each side with copper coat and installed.

Installed the head with new OEM bolts.

Used a scissor jack and 2x4 to lift the exhaust crossover pipe so it'd be easy to align the header and bolt it in (used new gasket).

Replaced the springs on the other (passenger) head. I did the rope trick cuz I didn't wanna take my compression tester apart to use air and I didn't want my compressor cycling any more than it was already.


Tonight:
Installed push rods, replacing the ones I had planned to with those I had ordered months ago.

Installed rockers.

Installed rocker covers.

Installed new corrugated loom on engine harness.

Installed intake manifold.

Installed coils.

Routed and connected harness.

Installed accessory bracket.

Installed alternator.

Reconnected lower radiator hose.

Installed belt.

Installed intake tube (MIT).

Installed driveshaft.

Installed skid plate.

Filled coolant surge tank.

Held the accelerator to the floor to crank it for ten seconds.

Started it as normal.



The valve train noise for the first ~5 minutes was unsettling. But, it got better and now seems to be quieter and smoother than ever. Maybe those new push rods are why. I kept the surge tank topped off as I let it idle to purge and sit at operating temp with a few really slow revs to 3,000. I'll make a slow trip to the gas station tomorrow and park it afterward to cool again. Then I'll consider the new springs "broken-in". I'll go for a drive and ease back into my normal driving style. Just wanna do everything I can to feel comfortable with taking it to Tampa.

 

[89Suburban]

U DA MAN!!!!!

 

[pwtr02ss]

Valve spring compressor was delivered Tuesday and new valve springs were delivered Wednesday. Been working late so I've been in the shop late and now my sleep schedule is fooked.

Last night:
Replaced the valve with one removed from some junk 706 heads and lapped it in.

Inspected the contact edge of the rest of the valves and determined they didn't need any work. These heads were re-done less than 20K ago.

Swapped the springs on the head.

Disassembled the head gasket to clean between the layers to make it as sanitary as possible. Sprayed each side with copper coat and installed.

Installed the head with new OEM bolts.

Used a scissor jack and 2x4 to lift the exhaust crossover pipe so it'd be easy to align the header and bolt it in (used new gasket).

Replaced the springs on the other (passenger) head. I did the rope trick cuz I didn't wanna take my compression tester apart to use air and I didn't want my compressor cycling any more than it was already.


Tonight:
Installed push rods, replacing the ones I had planned to with those I had ordered months ago.

Installed rockers.

Installed rocker covers.

Installed new corrugated loom on engine harness.

Installed intake manifold.

Installed coils.

Routed and connected harness.

Installed accessory bracket.

Installed alternator.

Reconnected lower radiator hose.

Installed belt.

Installed intake tube (MIT).

Installed driveshaft.

Installed skid plate.

Filled coolant surge tank.

Held the accelerator to the floor to crank it for ten seconds.

Started it as normal.



The valve train noise for the first ~5 minutes was unsettling. But, it got better and now seems to be quieter and smoother than ever. Maybe those new push rods are why. I kept the surge tank topped off as I let it idle to purge and sit at operating temp with a few really slow revs to 3,000. I'll make a slow trip to the gas station tomorrow and park it afterward to cool again. Then I'll consider the new springs "broken-in". I'll go for a drive and ease back into my normal driving style. Just wanna do everything I can to feel comfortable with taking it to Tampa.

Quick work as always!

That lifter noise you describe. Thats been my avalanche when I first started it AND when I swapped the push rods the first time. Very unsettling...

Glad to see you have it back together and all seems well. I'm sure she's ready to power you to tampa and back with no issues

 

[iamdub]

Quick work as always!

That lifter noise you describe. Thats been my avalanche when I first started it AND when I swapped the push rods the first time. Very unsettling...

Glad to see you have it back together and all seems well. I'm sure she's ready to power you to tampa and back with no issues

That quick work had me nervous cuz I kept wondering what I forgot!

I didn't prime it like I did when I refreshed it 2+ years ago. I just cranked it for that one ten-second session. I knew it'd be noisy but would quiet down. It just seemed to take forever but it must've been less than five minutes for the only ticking to be the injectors. When I cold-started it this evening, there was no lifter noise at all.

It did great today and I'll be running errands around BR tomorrow. Then, on Tuesday, I'll be taking Kin to New Orleans for a concert. So that'll be two 2-hour highway trips (there and back). I hope to be fully comfortable with it at that point.

 

[OR VietVet]

That quick work had me nervous cuz I kept wondering what I forgot!

I didn't prime it like I did when I refreshed it 2+ years ago. I just cranked it for that one ten-second session. I knew it'd be noisy but would quiet down. It just seemed to take forever but it must've been less than five minutes for the only ticking to be the injectors. When I cold-started it this evening, there was no lifter noise at all.

It did great today and I'll be running errands around BR tomorrow. Then, on Tuesday, I'll be taking Kin to New Orleans for a concert. So that'll be two 2-hour highway trips (there and back). I hope to be fully comfortable with it at that point.

Positive thoughts...It will be ok...If it's quiet, especially going to N.O. and back, you'll be good.

 

[iamdub]

Positive thoughts...It will be ok...If it's quiet, especially going to N.O. and back, you'll be good.

I'm impatient and got more comfortable with it today:

 

[Fless]

I'm impatient and got more comfortable with it today:

Watchin' that fuel range count down. Worth it!

 

[iamdub]

Watchin' that fuel range count down. Worth it!

It's okay cuz it's still in testing! I'll watch it hold 400+ en route to Tampa. I think I hit or exceeded 500 on a trip to Houston. I'll see if I can dig up some documentation...