tblentrprz

It will take the least path of resistance.

tech@WS6store

iTrader: (2)

Good luck on the autopsy and trouble shooting. Hopefully its a smaller issue than you are prepared for.

Kfxguy

iTrader: (1)

Thanks. I hope so too. If i spun a cam bearing and messed up the block, i'm screwed. I'll have wasted money on pistons, rods, balancing....everthing. I wont find an aluminum block for an affordable price and I flat out refuse to put an iron block in an already heavy car, I'll be putting the ls1 back in with better pistons I suppose. I may get with summit and see if the Pro ls 5.7 piston weighs close to the 5.3. If it does, I might just put this rotating assembly in my 5.7 block.

Che70velle

iTrader: (6)

You can go oversize on the cam bearings. It’s money I know, but that block can easily be fixed by a good shop. If that’s a route you don’t want to take, the 5.7 block would love to go back in the car. If you want to ditch the 5.3 block, pm me.

Kfxguy

iTrader: (1)

thx. I’ll let you know.

Kfxguy

iTrader: (1)

Deja vu eh?

tech@WS6store

iTrader: (2)

60-80lbs isnt a true weight difference though. Thats not even an extra person in the passenger seat.

Kfxguy

iTrader: (1)

Cam looks good. Turned freely. Whew. I’m seeing if I can look at the rear bearing but from what I can see is it looks good.

I like to think ahead. Here’s my thought process. Say the valve in the pump is stuck. Then I stick the impact on it to get the crank bolt out and pull the pulley off and it frees it. I won’t know for sure. I undid everything by hand. And I wish to hell I would have thought about freeing the valve (possibly) by hitting the crank bolt with the impact.

stand by. Tearing it down now.....

Kfxguy

iTrader: (1)

Bingo!




here’s an old pump for comparison. Valve in much different spot.

SCLT1

Well that’s great news so far for sure. So what does that mean for the valve?

Kfxguy

iTrader: (1)

Ok. So I really would rather not take each main and rod loose. Should I check the front ones because they would get the least oil. If they look iffy the the whole thing comes apart. What you guys think? The cam and the valve train was nice and oily. So I may have not damaged it. But I’d rather check.

RonSSNova

iTrader: (3)

I think you need to figure out where all that metal in the filter came from

Kfxguy

iTrader: (1)

Front rod bearing







main bearing

Kfxguy

iTrader: (1)

i took the pump apart and the bore is worn and the valve is worn. Here’s my thought. I took the pump apart to port it. I shimmed the valve. However, I did not inspect the bore and piston. So I bet when I put it back together, the piston didn’t go in exactly in the same scratches that it was used to running in. Once the valve was pushed open, it stayed that way because it was not longer free moving because of the wear. That’s my thought on that. And I’m pretty sure of it.

Kfxguy

iTrader: (1)

Yep. I just proved it to myself. I put the piston in the bore. Used something to grab inside the piston and move it in and out. I turned it to different positions. Different positions yielded different resistance from easy to not even wanting to move. Well I learned something. Leave a used pump alone if you are going to chance reusing it. But just replace it would be better. Lesson learned.


im thinking how I’m going to handle this. My initial thought is I’m going to replace all the bearings except the cam. Surprisingly they look good. I’m gonna get the crank repolished. And a new ls6 factory oil pump. Unfortunately this is now going to have to be put on hold. I’ve run into a unexpected, unrelated financial situation that’s out me into a bind. Life happens. I am glad it’s nothing major. But it is what it is.

SCLT1

Glad you have figured it out and motor isn’t trashed! Sounds like you have a pretty good plan and I hope things get better for you everyone runs into some hardship sooner or later we just need to find something positive with the experience.

Summitracing

Glad to hear the 5.3 can be put back together. We all fall on tough times here and there. You just have to dig out of the trench and keep trucking. You'll get it back together. It might take longer than you would like but you'll make it happen.

ddnspider

iTrader: (26)

Glad its not trashed. Just take your time as time/money allows.

Kfxguy

iTrader: (1)

Ok just for kicks. I called my local engine parts supplier. He said he will give me a set of king rod bearings and acl main bearings for $30. Not sure how. And he’s giving me a really good deal on a melling select Pump. I’ve said in the past I wouldn’t run a melling but my engine builder buddy swears by them. He’s never steered me wrong so I’m gonna go with what he said. The guy who runs this engine parts supplier said they are a better pump than factory and he’s never had an issue. I trust him too, I’ve been dealing with him since I was a kid. He always takes care of me. I messed up one of my piston rings on this build and he just gave me another set. So I should be able to get it back together pretty cheap than goodness.

im going to polish the crank, spin it in the block to polish it. Tear the whole block apart and clean, clean, clean. My buddy said I could reuse the head gaskets. Not so sure on that one. We shall see how I feel about it when I pull the heads off. He said copper coat them.

dawgs74

Yea based on the prices and hook up your buddy is giving you, it sounds like you have a solid plan, I've never had any issues with melling pumps either ,I built a 5.3 with just a replacement melling pump and that thing lived at 45/55 psi on my 370" build I used a hi volume melling and it lives at 55/75 psi.....along with new rods and mains you should be golden!!!!

. If your very gentle during teardown you should be able to re use the majority of the gaskets. ........good luck brother!!!!