Top End Removal/Vortec Swap

[dgoodhue]

This is my top end removal which is intially going to a be a Vortec swap but it may lead into a short block rebuilt/refreshing. My wife was away for a little over a day so I acclompished a lot. This project will go really fast with the removal but it will probably be slow to put back together as I clean last fall daily driver dirt/water splash and as I assembly the Vortec Heads/detrmine waht elese is wrong..

Unfortunately I had a funny flash setting, so my picture came out funny, its too late reassembly everything for pictures. Oh-well, I will fix and test all the new pictures.

Here is what I started off with...

Off comes the IC

Then the turbo

Then the DP, Passenger Exhuast Manifold & Throttle Body

Off comes the AC bracket

Upper Intake & Fuel Rails come off

Alternator

Lower Intake comes off

Off comes the Valves Covers, look at the bling

Good bye Crane Roller Rockers

Off comes a LB4 head.

Here is Cylinder 2,4 & 6. #6 is just wet from coolant when removing the heads

Here is my Passenger Head

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Top End Removal/Vortec Swap

The Driver side head, Bracket and exhaust Manifold is still on the motor. I need a power steering puller to go any further.

 

[QUICK STORM]

Re: Top End Removal/Vortec Swap

go rent one, looks like you accomplished alot in one day. i'm working on 2months and hit a brick wall:rant:

 

[phoonTy]

Re: Top End Removal/Vortec Swap

Nice!!! :thumbsup:

I'm doing an intake/ic swap with Aaron (my stocker for his powdercoated) and replacing my pass. side exhaust manifold this weekend. These pics are just what I needed to keep me going! I've already got the IC off, now it's time for the TB and the rest.

Thanks for posting! :tup: ....wish my engine bay was that clean. I've got a long ways to go to get there. But if I get everything swapped and the truck running again, I'll be happy!

 

[ashman]

Re: Top End Removal/Vortec Swap

i'd hit those Cranes with a can of flat black....WAY to mucho blingo

 

[QUICK STORM]

Re: Top End Removal/Vortec Swap

i'd hit those Cranes with a can of flat black....WAY to mucho blingo

you'll never see them anyway, unless some one comes out with clear valve covers:lol:

 

[QUICK STORM]

Re: Top End Removal/Vortec Swap

are you putting on the plastic valve covers? i got a 415 cam and 1.5s and wanted to know if the plastic vortec valve covers will clear?

 

[George Blake]

Re: Top End Removal/Vortec Swap

Hey Dave! Now I'll know the order of removal when I do mine. Please leave these up.

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Top End Removal/Vortec Swap

:tup: ....wish my engine bay was that clean. I've got a long ways to go to get there. But if I get everything swapped and the truck running again, I'll be happy!

Its not really that clean anymore. Last year it was clean but I pressed the truck into daily driver duties for 3 months last fall (and without the inner fender wells), I put it away before the first snow. It made a huge mess and more disappointingly I ended up with a lot item that had been perfect that now have little rust on them.

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Top End Removal/Vortec Swap

are you putting on the plastic valve covers? i got a 415 cam and 1.5s and wanted to know if the plastic vortec valve covers will clear?

I have a set of plastic valve covers, I am not sure if they will work. I am going to try, I have low profile locknuts I am hoping they will clear with those. I also heard that I can't use the middle IC brace (that bolt to the intake) I am not sure what that issue is but I will see what I can do.

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Top End Removal/Vortec Swap

Hey Dave! Now I'll know the order of removal when I do mine. Please leave these up.

Ofcourse I will keep them up. If I had a PS pulley puller, I would have pulled the Alternator/PS bracket and then removed the drivers manifold. Also I had to remove the Lower IC (CCHE) to get to the crossove bolts.

 

[NecroWolf]

Re: Top End Removal/Vortec Swap

i just wish mine was that clean. but it looks like a lot of progress but these 4.3s aren't that complicated either.

 

[SY2932]

Re: Top End Removal/Vortec Swap

*sigh* If they only came apart and went back together as easily as when I scrolled down the page ... Looking good Dave :tup:! I can't remember for sure but, did you have your knock sensor relocated at the '04 NEX? Did it help any?

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Top End Removal/Vortec Swap

I can't remember for sure but, did you have your knock sensor relocated at the '04 NEX? Did it help any?

No I didn't have it relocated at NEX 04. I did The KS sensor relocation right after (thank to Wade's adapter). I didn't help it just delayed the KR about 1 sec later. It think it helped on the shifts, but it didn't help my big KR problem.

 

[VermontTy]

Re: Top End Removal/Vortec Swap

No I didn't have it relocated at NEX 04. I did The KS sensor relocation right after (thank to Wade's adapter). I didn't help it just delayed the KR about 1 sec later. It think it helped on the shifts, but it didn't help my big KR problem.

....which is what you're hoping the vortec swap will take care of?? Looks great Dave. Always nice to see a fellow truck in pieces; makes me feel better.

-adam

 

[QUICK STORM]

Re: Top End Removal/Vortec Swap

where is the knock sensor mod?

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Top End Removal/Vortec Swap

where is the knock sensor mod?

You can see it in few pictures, but its on my lower intake to the left of the thermostat housing.

 

[SY2932]

Re: Top End Removal/Vortec Swap

This is where it's normally located at, very east to get to:

 

[TurboJunk]

Re: Top End Removal/Vortec Swap

WHat advantage have you gotten by placing it there? it being in water doesnt that make it MORE sensitive. cause i was always under the impresion that sound travels better in water.... wouldnt that make your false knock situation worse?

 

[QUICK STORM]

Re: Top End Removal/Vortec Swap

WHat advantage have you gotten by placing it there? it being in water doesnt that make it MORE sensitive. cause i was always under the impresion that sound travels better in water.... wouldnt that make your false knock situation worse?

that threaded hole isnt a water passage.

dave how did you route the wiring there? i assumed you lengthened the wires.