My engine build thread

[JoshH]

Today I started on pulling my engine. I took my truck over to a buddies house. We drained the fluids, pulled the radiator and CAC, plumbing for the twins including the turbo, and removed the core support. Tomorrow I hope to have the engine out and on the stand. I'll disassemble it over the course of the week and hopefully have it completely disassembled and ready for the machine shop by the end of the week. I forgot the camera, but I'll be sure to bring it tomorrow.

I do have one question. What do you guys do about the AC condenser? Do you just lift the motor up over it, or is there a way to move it out of the way? That one hard line makes it a PITA.

 

[RENODMAX]

You can pop the line off if you have new o-rings. What are you planning as far as the build goes? Congrats that thing is going to rip.:hug:

 

[dmaxalliTech]

Josh, I prefer to remove it so as not to damage it, but not having a recovery manchine could hamper that process I suppose.

Next best option IMO is to put heavy cardboard on each side to protect the fins and tape it on, then just try and lay it to the side as best as possible. The aluminum lines are easy to break so be careful there.

 

[JoshH]

You can pop the line off if you have new o-rings. What are you planning as far as the build goes? Congrats that thing is going to rip.:hug:

So far the plan is Duramaxtuner rods, cut and coated LB7 pistons running about 15.5:1 comp. ratio, head studs, and keyed cam and crank. Then new gaskets, seals, and bearings. I'm thinking about doing injectors and modded FPR while I'm in there, but that all depends on how much everything else costs.

Josh, I prefer to remove it so as not to damage it, but not having a recovery manchine could hamper that process I suppose.

Next best option IMO is to put heavy cardboard on each side to protect the fins and tape it on, then just try and lay it to the side as best as possible. The aluminum lines are easy to break so be careful there.

Thanks Eric. I'll see what I can find. If I can't a recovery machine, other than the environmental aspects, would venting the A/C cause problems with anything?

 

[ripmf666]

do it when no one is watching, The newer stuff is not as bad it just stinks really bad crack line lose and stand back makes alittle mess.

 

[MaxPowerLB7]

If all your freon leaks out when your about to yank your motor be sure and wrap a towel around the fitting its mostly oil.

 

[duratothemax]

the hard line makes it a PITA. I was able to get the motor out without disturbing the AC, but had to remove teh condensor in order to get the motor back in. This is the second time ive had to recharge the AC, first time when I hit a deer and it broke the condensor. Cost like 120$ to have it recharged each time.

I almost thought about having a soft line made up so I can swing the condensor out of the way, but the better plan is to just never have to take the motor out again.

If you empty it, just stand back and make sure the EPA isnt watching. Cover the ends of the lines to minimize how much moisture can get in. When you recharge it, you must replace the o-rings, and have it done by a shop. You CANT just do it with the "refill" kits you see at autozone. Beleive me, I tried.

good luck Josh, its not that hard, just takes a little while because evrything is so big and heavy.

Ben

 

[JoshH]

The motor is out, and a few parts have been pulled off of it. I thought I had a stand I was going to be able to put it on, but it doesn't look like I'll be able to get it until tomorrow evening. For now I'm disassembling everything with the engine on the hoist, and it is a PITA. Anyway, here are some pics from the progress today.

 

[malibu795]

i left all my A/C lines and condieson intact and on the truck.. the compressor sits on some flat steel running between the crossmemebers

 

[SIKDMAX]

do it when no one is watching

:rofl::rofl:

be sure and wrap a towel around the fitting its mostly oil.

Yup - a big towel - thats what I did. Itll make the thing wet.

 

[Cougar281]

You CANT just do it with the "refill" kits you see at autozone. Beleive me, I tried.

Correct, you must vacuum the system down (On my car, you're supposed to vacuum it down for 45-60 minutes before recharging it).

Just FYI, when you open the system, you're supposed to replace the dryer.

 

[bullfrogjohnson]

Make sure you plug that AC system off, if you accumulator is open to the air for more than 15 minutes the desicant bags will be saturated and you will have issues down the road like the bag bursting and screwing alot of stuff up

 

[mytmousemalibu]

Make sure you plug that AC system off, if you accumulator is open to the air for more than 15 minutes the desicant bags will be saturated and you will have issues down the road like the bag bursting and screwing alot of stuff up

Yupper! And if that desicant gets loose...your in for a lot of expensive A/C repair. IMO, reciver/dryer is cheap, put a new one in before it goes back togather. I would also have the condenser flushed and a new orfice tube installed as well.

 

[JoshH]

Make sure you plug that AC system off, if you accumulator is open to the air for more than 15 minutes the desicant bags will be saturated and you will have issues down the road like the bag bursting and screwing alot of stuff up

I guess I'll have to get a new one then. Mine's been open for over 24 hours now.

 

[JoshH]

The only thing left in the block now is the crank. I didn't have a 14mm 12 point socket at the shop where I'm working on it. Here are some pics of the current progress.

 

[km2006dmax]

Good luck with the build Josh.

 

[LBZrcks]

How's the build going so far Josh?

 

[LBZ]

Damn can't believe I missed this whole thread!!
X2 how is it coming Josh?

 

[JoshH]

I was just coming in here to update the progress.

Slow parts are holding me up, but my buddy has the machine work done and the rotating assembly balanced. Here are a few pics.

 

[RENODMAX]

nice! keep us posted josh