To Rebuild or just Install it
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Mill Creek/Lynnwood, WA
To Rebuild or just Install it I have a 5.3L out of a 2004 Tahoe (flex fuel) that we will be installing in our 55 Chevy suburban. We got the engine about 7 years ago with the trans, gas pedal, harness and cpu. Had 40,000 miles on it and it has been in a heated shop. We are now working on the project and my question is what should I do to get the engine ready to install? Going to clean it up and paint it, but wondering if I should pull it apart or look inside at all. Also I am thinking the flex fuel injectors should be OK and I don't need to change them out for a regular fuel injector. We plan to keep the truck intake, and use the suburban as daily transportation.
New to this type of engine, so any information is appreciated.
New to this type of engine, so any information is appreciated.
DO NOT OPEN IT UP, OR LOOK INSIDE!!! I can assure you there are things lurking in there that if seen will cause the engine to not run.. About the only thing I would do is drain the oil & filter, install new filter, and prime the engine using a priming device that will force the new oil into the bearings, lifters, and camshaft.. Then after priming, use a socket with breaker bar on the big bolt on the harmonic balancer to slowly turn the engine over by hand.. Go both directions just to be sure it is not seized in position.
Truthfully, my guess is this is WAY over-kill. Most would just install it, and start it, and be good.
About the only thing I would really be nervous about is dried up fuel in the injectors causing stuck pintles (no fuel flow). I've had this happen with LS injectors that sat unused, dry, for a little over a month.. After putting them back in service all 8 of them were frozen inside and would not flow any fuel. Might want to pull the injectors and run carb cleaner through them.. I can fill them with carb cleaner, then put a rubber tipped air gun over the fuel feed side and then with my sons help, apply voltage from a battery to cycle them. If they spray, they go back in the motor.. If they don't spray.. Well, keep adding carb cleaner and compressed air, and current, until they do.
Truthfully, my guess is this is WAY over-kill. Most would just install it, and start it, and be good.
About the only thing I would really be nervous about is dried up fuel in the injectors causing stuck pintles (no fuel flow). I've had this happen with LS injectors that sat unused, dry, for a little over a month.. After putting them back in service all 8 of them were frozen inside and would not flow any fuel. Might want to pull the injectors and run carb cleaner through them.. I can fill them with carb cleaner, then put a rubber tipped air gun over the fuel feed side and then with my sons help, apply voltage from a battery to cycle them. If they spray, they go back in the motor.. If they don't spray.. Well, keep adding carb cleaner and compressed air, and current, until they do.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 270
From: Bossier City, Louisiana
+1 to everything above. Also, run it with some "no ethanol" fuel and either either Chevron Techron fuel system cleaner (less expensive) or AC Delco "X66P" fuel system cleaner (more expensive) to clean and unstick those fuel injectors.
Rick
Rick
TECH Regular
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 487
Likes: 4
flex fuel injectors will have more flow than stock regular ones... send them off the Derr fuel injection service for cleaning .... I believe I spent $60.00 for my set of 80lb injectors and I am glad I did because 2 or 3 were dirty causing a 6% difference in flow
If you were able to keep moisture out of the cylinders or oil them then those should be fine, I would be worried about a valve spring being weak if you didn't remove the rockers. Holding a spring down for 7 years isn't good for it.
What kawabuggy said is funny and true. I've heard way too many stories of people opening up stored motors and finding rust etc, and also a lot of stories where people let cars sit for years and go out and fire them up and drive them. Makes you wonder if those that sat and fired were in just as bad of shape as the motors that just sat in storage..
What kawabuggy said is funny and true. I've heard way too many stories of people opening up stored motors and finding rust etc, and also a lot of stories where people let cars sit for years and go out and fire them up and drive them. Makes you wonder if those that sat and fired were in just as bad of shape as the motors that just sat in storage..
