Running sweet after AFM delete

[Ivanhoe]

Hello folks,

I finally got around to fixing my 5.3 2012 tahoe and got rid of afm, it's now running smooth and no faults.
I used a kit from Texas speed along with oil pump and timing chain for long term piece of mind.
I had help from retired mechanic relative who supervised my spannering. There were a few issues such as a nest for some creature under the intake. I had some unexpected repairs to make once we started digging around underneath.
I decided if I was going in deep I may as well do the chain and oil pump. I was tempted to get some more power but kept it stock to avoid dramas.

I kept the VVT as I used a L96 cam ( from a 6.0) which works without DOD.

Dropped the diff out as a seal had gone which made oil pan removal easier. I purchased an LS Oil Pump Pickup Girdle for the oil pump which worked really well and used 2 bolts rather than one that gm had.

Camshaft was well chewed and roller wheel was scored but not sure what was wrong with it and it appeared ok.

If I had to do it again, I would take engine out for speed and ease of access. It was done on axle stands in a small garage which not ideal but can be done.

 

[Geotrash]

Congrats on a job well done! That failure mode on the cam lobe is interesting. Almost looks like the roller on the lifter was periodically binding and scored a groove in the cam in the process. Doesn't look like an AFM failure so much as it does a plain old lifter failure. Was this on an AFM cylinder?

 

[swathdiver]

All lifter trays replaced and she makes good oil pressure?

 

[Ivanhoe]

Congrats on a job well done! That failure mode on the cam lobe is interesting. Almost looks like the roller on the lifter was periodically binding and scored a groove in the cam in the process. Doesn't look like an AFM failure so much as it does a plain old lifter failure. Was this on an AFM cylinder?

Yes it was on #4 cylinder. On the head picture you can see the head which is cleaner than the rest.

 

[Ivanhoe]

All lifter trays replaced and she makes good oil pressure?

Yes, all GM oem trays, it was turned over a couple of times with injectors disconnected to get oil through the system. Fired up and instant good pressure once injector leads in. New exhaust manifold bolts as well, one was snapped off ( back one of course) before I even started. Managed to get that out with ratchet grip tool thing my relative had. The oil pipe Girdle I used made sure that oil pipe won't come loose with the new o ring.

 

[13UpInSmoke]

About how long did it take to swap?

 

[Ivanhoe]

About how long did it take to swap?

Friday afternoon to Sunday night...but that was with meal breaks and trips to autoshop etc. Could be done in 2 days if you had everything ready at hand, we found some issues that required more parts so dealt with those which took time. Right angled impact wrenches are a lifesaver along with regular ones

 

[13UpInSmoke]

Thanks for the info!!

 

[iamdub]

Hello folks,

I finally got around to fixing my 5.3 2012 tahoe and got rid of afm, it's now running smooth and no faults.
I used a kit from Texas speed along with oil pump and timing chain for long term piece of mind.
I had help from retired mechanic relative who supervised my spannering. There were a few issues such as a nest for some creature under the intake. I had some unexpected repairs to make once we started digging around underneath.
I decided if I was going in deep I may as well do the chain and oil pump. I was tempted to get some more power but kept it stock to avoid dramas.

I kept the VVT as I used a L96 cam ( from a 6.0) which works without DOD.

Dropped the diff out as a seal had gone which made oil pan removal easier. I purchased an LS Oil Pump Pickup Girdle for the oil pump which worked really well and used 2 bolts rather than one that gm had.

Camshaft was well chewed and roller wheel was scored but not sure what was wrong with it and it appeared ok.

If I had to do it again, I would take engine out for speed and ease of access. It was done on axle stands in a small garage which not ideal but can be done.View attachment 371090View attachment 371094

+1 for pulling the engine. Just a few more bolts lets you access the rear to replace those seals and easy engine mount replacement/upgrade if those weren't done already.

 

[Ivanhoe]

If you have any questions I can help with just ask..having an old mechanic to supervise helped but it was a lot newer than what he used to work on .if you have some mechanical knowledge and ability it can be done. Added some more pics
Sorry for lack of after pictures ...I was using phone to watch nhl playoffs.
Replaced the tensioner with an old style ls chain damper which left the chain slightly slack but the old one wasn't doing anything as the spring was gone .

Thinking I should have possibly changed sprockets, i have used a new VVT bolt on new cam.

Oil pan was taken apart as it had a thick layer of gunk ... 260000 kms (160000 miles) worth with whatever burnt oil from afm.

New cam thrust plate and bolts put on as well ( missing from.list )
All pushrods etc covered with liberal amount of assembly lube (permatex ultra slick) so there would be some lubrication.