Just Fishing's 09 Tahoe Build thread

[Just Fishing]

So, ls 7 lifters.
Looks like i got a good .095 - .099 preload with 7.4in push rods.
that's with a .030 headgasket (.040 quench)

I still need to have the heads surfaced, so they might take off another .003
the head gasket i'll end up running with is the .027 (mls)

Reading online, seems the target preload is .080 - .100...

So sounds like i'll be in the ok range, or does it sound like i need a slightly sorter pushrod?

 

[Just Fishing]

Aluminum radiator baffle thing, hopefully i don't hate it... lol

Not much left of the original, so i did my best to make a template from it.

I found I had some push button center lock retainers that fit the holes perfectly.
So at least it will be easy to remove if it's annoying.




I used a screwdriver handle to make the little checker board looking lines.
stiffened it up by quite a bit.

I'm assuming it will make a terrible noise on the freeway, so i plan on using some rubber weather stripping on the ends.

 

[Just Fishing]

and i have the block buttoned up and ready to install for the most part.
Only pending part is the flex plate bolts.
the stand does not give me enough room to tighten the bolts down, so it looks like i need to break out the engine hoist.

 

[Just Fishing]

The machine shop also did me a solid.
the little yellow marks, he did that on the crank, flex plate, and the harmonic balancer.

lined them all up, and it looks like my little timing color marks line up with TDC.
Not that i'll ever use them, but it's nice knowing they are now somewhat close to a reference point.

 

[Just Fishing]

Also last time i did the harmonic balancer, i used the old crank bolt to install.
serious pita.

This time around, i copied the idea from my SBC balancer removal/install tool kit.
A bearing makes all of the difference.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RTG6F97




So easy, so smooth!
Only complaint is that the little ball bearings were not captured.
(Or maybe they were captured but the little tin shield flexed out, who knows!)
I didn't notice that when putting the tool together, only when going to remove it from the crank.
Little steel balls falling and bouncing into all places!

I ended up pulling the balancer after realizing the machine shop marked it to line up with the same color mark on the crank and flywheel
Used grease on the installer tool bearings for the second time around (after finding all of the little ball bearings).

totally worth the $20 imo.
Just grease those babies, and plan on storing in a ziplock bag.



For the puller, I have been using this one.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AIRR4EY

I would buy it again for sure.
The first time around i managed to bend one of the little rods, but i haven't had issues since.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AIRR4EY


For this kind of stuff, i really like the hard case.
It's not something i would use often, and it's nice being able to stack it on a shelf vs storing in the toolbox.

Jaws are pretty nice too, they have just enough friction to hold itself in place on the balancer as I assemble everything.

 

[Just Fishing]

Spent some money yesterday and got some insulation to help the AC out.
used foam behind this and built it up to give me a nice flat surface.
Against the glass is a nice layer of tinfoil, then i went to town with the foam sheets until i had the thickness i wanted.



The board going right through the middle of the window is a left over of the framework i built to support a boat restore project, it joins to the top of the garage and a big beam.
it gave me some hard spots to mount rings, and some pulleys.
The final plan is to use it to help support some boards and metal that I'm going to install to add extra support and security to that window ac unit.


I also had an issue where the AC unit froze up on me once, i think i need to angle the unit in the back to aid with drainage.
so the piece of paper there was an easy way for me to see if it's still flowing air or not.

 

[Just Fishing]

Did some cleanup of the wires and repaired/replaced some of the plastic corrugated shielding in some spots.
re-wrapped the harness where i saw a need with some fresh super 88

Silver parts, got the idea from the oem starter connector.
it has some nice heat shielding on it, seemed it's probably because the harness is under the exhaust manifold, I found i still have some nice heat shielding tape left over.
so i decided to shield the wires that route up under the exhaust manifold.

The stuff i used,

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J2H9R88

great stuff, sticks very well.
but they do have an optional spray sticky to help this stuff stick even better.
Mostly this tape is to be used to seal between larger sheets of heat shielding.
but i find it's great for smaller projects like shielding electrical.

If you want to go full bling bling, the gold version

Amazon.com: Design Engineering 010397 Reflect-A-GOLD High-Temperature Heat Reflective Adhesive Backed Roll, 2" x 30' Roll: Automotive

Buy Design Engineering 010397 Reflect-A-GOLD High-Temperature Heat Reflective Adhesive Backed Roll, 2" x 30' Roll: Automotive - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

I hear the gold stuff is better, but it's also twice the price.



While i was in there, i decided to clean up a nice set of ground wires that bolt to the side of the block.
I tried flowing Rosin into the connector in order to clean up the wires, but i still couldn't get solder to stick.
so i went a little more aggressive.
used some AC grade stuff, "Harris Stay-Clean"
Just have to be careful to prevent it from running up the wire.
used some cleaner after flowing it into the connector with heat, then followed up with rosin.

I used this trick on my vette, but i had it flow right up the wire a few times.
the concern is that it would corrode the wire long term, but this stuff does clean up pretty easily.

 

[Just Fishing]

And for the harness,
there was a bit of plastic corrugated shielding that had rotted out, right where a wire mounting spot is.
the connector, i might have been able to disassemble non destructively, but i decided fk it.
shielded that ***** up, and stiffened up the broken spot vs risking a one time use connector.

 

[Just Fishing]

Damn ADD.

Started work on what I plan to do to the entire garage.



Main place i need it is against that wall, the back wall, and the ceiling.
I won't get too much further until i get the hoe out of there.

I like how much brighter the garage is already getting!

 

[Just Fishing]

And i completed the radiator baffles
I decided to rock some gorilla tape to give it some thickness and prevent the sheet aluminum from damaging anything, flopping around, or making noise like a kazoo driving down the freeway.






Doesn't show up well, but they are pretty black.
The other side is pretty seamless, i did my best to keep the ends of the tape on the inside of the engine bay.
thought is that they would be less likely to flake and come apart this way.

Incase anyone is looking, the little plastic holding clips appear to be 1/4in or 6.4mm per my little kit.
Kit: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IXXNP9S


I didn't get a good picture of it, but prior to blacking it they really stood out in the grille view.
I wasn't sure if i liked the look or not.
but now it blends right in.