New Motor, but which one?

[mckey73]

Well it's finally starting, my '02 is showing the faulty injector symptoms. Currently I'm trying all of the "snake oil" type of remedies to at least make it to tax time, and I will be filing early this year. Now I am really questioning myself about what to do and would like to hear everyones ideas please.

This was supposed to be the last truck I bought until I retired, then I'd put it on blocks in the front yard and look at it every day - but now I'm not so sure. In early 2002 I ordered it just like I wanted on the GMO program (the employee factory order) and I do really, really like the truck. Up until now I've been in denial about the injector problems, not gonna happen to me right? I've spent a decent amount of $$ on the front end, clutch/flywheel, rear end and interior. Then there's the powerplant, spent a few $$ there but not a whole lot compared to some of you guys!

We are downsizing from a 28' trailer to a 18' and I don't haul it near as much as I used to. Then my commute is only about 30 mi. per day, which is cut in half from what it was in 2010. From where I sit injectors are not routine maintenance, especially when you don't have any warning about when they are going to fail - or how they fail. So (I think) my options are at this point:
1. Find a newer model LLY or LBZ and put that in - but then are the injectors fixed? And how much time and $$ are we talking?
2. Build a 12 valve and install that, time and $$???
3. Find a wrecked '01 or '02 with a 6.0 and build that close to LS7 levels for about 3k, plus the cost of the salvaged truck.

There are really no other vehicles that would be practical other than a CCLB 3/4 ton.

If you guys/girls have any other ideas or input please let me know, I really don't know which direction to go

Thanks,
Jay

 

[cafryer]

Do injectors or an lly top end on your lb7

 

[blk smoke lb7]

Sounds like alot of work when all you need to do is replace the injectors you made it 10 yrs on the 1st set of injectors and your ready to pull the motor and install a 12 valve :barf:You have a great motor get some injectors and seals and let er roll :thumb: JMO

 

[dirty-b]

How many miles do you have on the truck? The truck is 10 years old, if the first set lasted 10 years is it really that big of a deal to put a new set in and have them last another 10 years? Or once they go to they keep going out?

 

[mckey73]

Thanks guys, but how much do you get a set of injectors for? How long does it take you (not me) to install them? How reliable are LLY injectors?

No argument from me that it's a good motor, but how long will my next set of LB7 inj. last?

I'm a GM guy and always will be, so the 12v is last on the list but here's no denying it's history.

 

[dirty-b]

Sounds like alot of work when all you need to do is replace the injectors you made it 10 yrs on the 1st set of injectors and your ready to pull the motor and install a 12 valve :barf:You have a great motor get some injectors and seals and let er roll :thumb: JMO

Apparently I type slow!:thumb:

 

[blk smoke lb7]

Injectors are 1700 on up for remans you will need some seals and orings and a tube of the gray sealant,a decent set of hand tools and most of a sat ,(beer optional) If its above you seak some help if no one can help seak out a good shop in your area

Good luck

 

[mckey73]

Injectors are 1700 on up for remans you will need some seals and orings and a tube of the gray sealant,a decent set of hand tools and most of a sat ,(beer optional) If its above you seak some help if no one can help seak out a good shop in your area

Good luck

1700 on up for remans? Can I buy new ones that won't break? Some anal guy told me you need to replace all of the lines on top of the motor, but can't you just use a parts cleaner or autozone brake cleaner? <--I use that crap on everything.

 

[blk smoke lb7]

1700 on up for remans? Can I buy new ones that won't break? Some anal guy told me you need to replace all of the lines on top of the motor, but can't you just use a parts cleaner or autozone brake cleaner? <--I use that crap on everything.

Yes you can reuse them but you want to get the diesel crusties out of both ends,Bullfrog had a great idea he takes a small socket and pushes some scotch brite in the end of the socket and then pushes it on the ends of the steel lines and cleans them up real nice.I would always try to reuse them i know im not going to spend 600 for new lines before trying the old 1s.
Injectors that wont break? not a chance! look at this way 10 yrs on the 02 style injectors that was awesome now its time for a tune up and you need to change some very expensive spark plugs (sota speak)

 

[1chevy02]

the injectors have been revised since your originals came out. They seem to be better, just do NOT go with some cheap remans. Genuine GM or Bosch remans seem to be the way to go. The job is not that bad probably 8 hours for a first timer.
Here is a good how to http://www.dieselbombers.com/chevy-...g-duramax-lb7-injectors-01-04-tips-hints.html

 

[MACKIN]

Interesting after seeing that DIY writer up it does not look as bad as I thought. Im positive if I had the time I could conquer that job.
If i was too do it I would drain the coolant to avoid that potential problem of a cup coming loose. And I'd probably spend the money and replace the lines. All on all not overly difficult.

 

[cafryer]

Yes you can reuse them but you want to get the diesel crusties out of both ends,Bullfrog had a great idea he takes a small socket and pushes some scotch brite in the end of the socket and then pushes it on the ends of the steel lines and cleans them up real nice.I would always try to reuse them i know im not going to spend 600 for new lines before trying the old 1s.
Injectors that wont break? not a chance! look at this way 10 yrs on the 02 style injectors that was awesome now its time for a tune up and you need to change some very expensive spark plugs (sota speak)

Ya bullfrogs idea works awsome just used it. They look new.

 

[blk smoke lb7]

Ya bullfrogs idea works awsome just used it. They look new.

He has alot of good ideas deffinatly a good guy to have here on DD :thumb:

 

[dbev24]

Dnt want hijack thread but can I put Lbz heads on a lb7 bottom end?

 

[bullfrogjohnson]

Dnt want hijack thread but can I put Lbz heads on a lb7 bottom end?

Yes, but you have to swap reluctor wheels from the lb7 to lbz. I believe you can also clip one tooth off the lb7.


Thanks for the kind words guys.

 

[mckey73]

These days I don't enjoy working on my own vehicles, I do it 'cuz I have no money. If this is a normal "tune up" that is crazy, I can't afford it. Anyone have a chevette for sale?

 

[JD Dave]

These days I don't enjoy working on my own vehicles, I do it 'cuz I have no money. If this is a normal "tune up" that is crazy, I can't afford it. Anyone have a chevette for sale?

Your truck is worth very little to sell with bad injectors, so fix them and then decide what you want to do. Also if you can't afford to do injectors you can't afford to switch motors as it's not an exactly straight forward job and it will cost a lot more then replacing your current injectors. If injectors cost you 4k that's only $33.33/month over the 10 years of use you got. Doesn't sound to bad to me.

 

[MACKIN]

Wondering on the LLY head swap should you or would you swap tips to larger in order to gain back what is lost as the LLY injectors are smaller from what has been posted? Or does it just add unnecessary expense to the swap?

IMO this is the way to go other than swapping out motors if you don't trust the new LB7 injectors. I would assume it would be cheaper also. Maybe not easier but cheaper depending on the availability of parts. Certainly something I would consider doing. After looking at the tutorial it really doesn't look terribly difficult to change injectors. The only challenging issue IMO is if a injector cup comes lose. Seems that the cleaning process is a PITA and then not knowing for sure that you're getting a good seal which could cause a re-do or worse.

Also I wonder if there is any way of knowing if larger injectors for the LB7 have the similar failure record as OEM reman stock injectors? I guess the question is how many running oversize injectors have seen them fail?

 

[mckey73]

If I can get me some injectors that will last I will be satisfied :thumb:

My 2nd option is a rolled '01 that I can get for $1K and steal all the parts from that and sell it for scrap (about $500). Then I could sell the LB7 and recover some of the $ to get the 6.0 up to 6600 rpm's. I don't have power anything, or carpet, and a manual so I think the swap should be simple. Time consuming, but simple.
Does anyone know if the flywheel/flexplates are interchangeable between the dmax and the 6.0? I know they are different part #'s but are they both the same size and bolt pattern?

$33 per month for ten years for injectors is too much. We spent $500 for brand new 62gph injectors for a race car a couple years ago.

The 12valve idea is too much fab work.

How much could I get a LLY top end and harness for?

 

[1chevy02]

Just sell this truck and buy a 6.0 if thats what you want.