Just Fishing's 09 Tahoe Build thread

[Just Fishing]

Got pretty much done with the chambers last night.
didn't measure the final cc number, but I'm hoping I'll end up close to 70cc.

i used that old 4in 5.3 gasket as a general template and to keep tools off of the sealing surface.
I did slip a few times and got the valve seats lightly.
so now i get to reseat the valves and then confirm that i don't need a machine shop.
before i do that, i need to tape up the valve stems, and pass the valves through my bead blasting cabinet for a final cleaning and polishing.

Once seated, I'll do one more cc check, but this time using something like rubbing alcohol, or even get some "water wetter".
I had some issues with bubbles in the fluid, and i heard that alcohol or water wetter helps.
I used antifreeze to color the water, and that worked ok for the most part.
I also used the same set of valves for each chamber, my thoughts were to keep it as constant as possible.
and acknowledging that i needed to really clean up carbon buildup on some of the valves.

Last time i did this, I completed one head. And then got the bright idea to try the bead blaster for the other side.
Bead blaster = bees knees!

I also didn't like how much carbon the valves and heads picked up for the short drive run after i deleted DOD back in Dec.
so i'll be focused on getting those valves a mirror polish in hopes to prevent future build up.

I'm thinking i'll have a machine shop check the surface anyways, maybe even a light milling to ensure everything is perfect before the final install.

right now i just need to get one set of actual valve springs installed so i can compress a lifter in order to confirm pushrod height, and then from there i'm good with the install of the short block into the truck!

my hope is not this weekend, but the following weekend!

 

[Just Fishing]

And i'm still working to learn about this "installed height" thing for the valve springs.
I believe it's something i can measure for with out new tools using my dial indicator and my calipers.

Then it's about finding these "shims" to correct it.


And thoughts about replacing the valve keepers, and maybe the spring retainers?
keeping the original valves, so I'm thinking I'm probably better off just keeping the same old retainers with the same valves?
I am replacing the springs, since the originals have high miles, it's probably a good idea + i can confirm they support the lift I'm tossing at this engine (.550).

 

[Just Fishing]

Supposed to be near 100 this weekend!
I was planning to have this done before summer, but that long machine shop wait really screwed me.

So last night, i finally decided to toss an old AC unit into the garage window.
I still need to seal it up better, but for now it's a proof of concept.

I'm not sure if it can handle the garage, but it is a "large room" unit.
I taped it up with masking tape around the seal area for now to see if it can do it.

I'm sure I'll need to foam the window/ac unit in, so i'll try and get that done this weekend for max cool.

 

[Just Fishing]

welp, running all day and it's ok in the garage
not great.
I still break a sweat.
lame!

so i think i need a few hundred bucks worth of foam and start lining the walls!
make it look like a pretty reflective freezer.

yes this is what i need.
Moar foam!

 

[Just Fishing]

I got the front cover on and the oil pickup tube last night.

I was about to start with the oil pan, when i noticed that the oil feed holes that match up to the block are much smaller in the pan vs the block.
I also noticed some hard angles down at the bottom of those oil feed holes.

So I'm thinking while I'm in there and have the tools out, I might as well do a little opening and blending in the pan.


I also did the same in the block while i had it stripped.
Mostly around the oil feed that mates the pump to the block.

On my 5.3 i noticed how rough it was on that lip, but I was not about to mess with an assembled engine.
but with the new block, figured I might as well!
I didn't get pictures apparently, but i ended up with a nicely blended and polished opening to feed oil into the block.

When installing the pump, i also confirmed that the pumps outlet perfectly matched the blocks inlet.
(Did that before and after the centering of the pump housing)

This weekend i also have plans to get equipment out of the way of my sand blasting cabinet.
Currently it's loaded with well used glass beads.
I'll get those valves spotless!
afterwards, i get to start seating the valves.


The plan is to have this mostly figured out this weekend, and next weekend i have help coming over for the engine install.

 

[pwtr02ss]

Moving right along. You'll be doing burnouts before you know it

 

[Just Fishing]

Used a piece of hose to protect the valve stems, and got that damn carbon off of the valves the express route!
Bead blasting ftw!




Trying to decide if i want to polish the cleaned areas, or leave as is.

At a minimum, i guess i should polish the exhaust valves...
And maybe the combustion chamber facing part of the intake valves.

 

[Just Fishing]

The Loctite in the picture is the stuff that ARP recommends.
Red bottle, but it's blue Loctite.

I'm using it on most of the bolts as i assemble everything.

 

[Just Fishing]

I did some light polishing last night, I'll probably touch it up a tad today.
At this point i move away from the die grinder and go to the air Dremel since i have much better polishing pads for it.



Started with medium crossbuffs, then fine.
then broke out the wool/felt bits with polishing compound (harborfrieght).

All I'm really trying to do here is to prevent carbon build up and prevent pre detonation.

I did a little lapping of valves last night, but i kept feeling grit in the valve guide.
so i need to go over the heads once more and scrub them really well before i try again.

 

[Just Fishing]

been putting my valves through the ultrasonic cleaner after polishing.
I noticed something strange.

Valve stem tip appears to be welded on, and there is a clear gap on some of the valves.
a few almost appear to be crooked!?

this one looks more like a seal, but it's just cleaner.



I can hook my fingernail under it...

is this normal, or do i need to be looking for some replacement valves?