Dozer's Grey Ghost Gets a Vortec (FJ62/5.3L/4L60E)

[Dozer18]

What did you do with the stock motor and transmission? You probably have a larger market to sell yours, I put my whole drivetrain up in the classifieds but no one seems interested. I rationalized this wasn't entirely a shameless plug because someone out there may actually want to use my setup in a V8 swap.
David

The 3FE that came out is in great shape and I'm sure I could find someone who is interested but I'm in no hurry to get it up on the boards right now. The original tranny is toast; someone might be interested in trying to rebuild it but I can't offer the whole driveline as one ready to drop in.

 

[Grumpyhead12]

Sorry for the hijack. I am performing a similar swap in May and will have drivetrain parts for sale. The stock GM stuff is nothing special but may fit into someone's low buck project and along with the Toyota transfer case would be a solid score.
Yes I admit to some shameless plugging but we all try to look out for others and I don't want this stuff to rot in the wrecking yard if it will be a good fit in another truck.
David

For Sale: - GM drivetrain San Diego and Denver

 

[Dsellers]

I was able to get the gas tank out today. I already ordered a 60psi ac delco fuel pump. It comes with the pump itself, electrical connector and strainer.

 

[MANUCHAO]

This engine has a returnless fuel system but I guess we would still have to run a return from the filter/regulator back to the tank?

So, you left me thinking......
I also figure I post here since this might help you, and others down the road.....

A few days ago I went to the dealership and going by the VIN # on the PCM I asked for a fuel filter replacement...

Turns out that from 2004, and on all returnless fuel rail engines--Mine is a 2006--the fuel filter is built into the Delphi fuel pump......

Uh??????
Really?????

But what if the fuel filter gets clogged?
Well you get to pull the whole tank down and replace the entire fuel pump/filter unit....

Anywho.... Being that Im running one of these fuel pumps, and since my tank just got repaired, and is currently sitting in the garage floor, Im going to run the fuel line straight from the fuel pump to the fuel rail on the engine...

We'll see how things go......

 

[Elbert]

So, you left me thinking......
I also figure I post here since this might help you, and others down the road.....

A few days ago I went to the dealership and going by the VIN # on the PCM I asked for a fuel filter replacement...

Turns out that from 2004, and on all returnless fuel rail engines--Mine is a 2006--the fuel filter is built into the Delphi fuel pump......

Uh??????
Really?????

But what if the fuel filter gets clogged?
Well you get to pull the whole tank down and replace the entire fuel pump/filter unit....

Anywho.... Being that Im running one of these fuel pumps, and since my tank just got repaired, and is currently sitting in the garage floor, Im going to run the fuel line straight from the fuel pump to the fuel rail on the engine...

We'll see how things go......

you sure on that (fuel filter)... all the pumps (GM) have that sock type filter at the pump (in the tank). But dont' they also have a fuel filter on the fuel line leading to the engine.....about half way along the frame rail (on SUV and pickup)

I posted a link to rock auto on a 06 GM 1/2 ton pickup with 5.3....shows what looks to be an external filter.

More Information for MANN MF1002
The one on the 6 liter for 06 looks like the standard in line fuel filter that's been in use for a while.

 

[MANUCHAO]

SilveradoSierra

CarGurus

Elbert, those are only two of many sites...


Also checked with NAPA AND AUTOZONE, but they could not find one for my specific VIN#.
I also checked with other online Autoparts, again using the VIN #, and came back with no fuel filter available.
Dealership confirmed it.

I should mentions that (research, research) this is not the case for ALL engines above 2004, but RATHER SPECIFIC engines (like mine) with only one fuel rail going into the engine.....
Also, important to know what vehicle your engine is coming out of.....


100% sure ?
No, but pretty close to it....

 

[Dozer18]

SilveradoSierra

CarGurus

Elbert, those are only two of many sites...


Also checked with NAPA AND AUTOZONE, but they could not find one for my specific VIN#.
I also checked with other online Autoparts, again using the VIN #, and came back with no fuel filter available.
Dealership confirmed it.

I should mentions that (research, research) this is not the case for ALL engines above 2004, but RATHER SPECIFIC engines (like mine) with only one fuel rail going into the engine.....
Also, important to know what vehicle your engine is coming out of.....


100% sure ?
No, but pretty close to it....

Manuchao, thanks for all of the info. I know my original posts said I have an LM7, but that was wrong. Like you, I have an L59 engine out of an '06 Tahoe. One fuel rail going to the engine; no return.

Even though we are going to run that Delco pump in-tank, I don't see the harm in running the Wix (Corvette) filter inline. Something just doesn't seem quite right about not running one and only relying on the built-in filter at the pump. We're going to run the return from the filter back to the tank as well.

Unnecessary? Maybe. Safer and more piece of mind? Definitely.

What have you been using for a fuel filter up to now? Just the stock (GM) setup?

 

[MANUCHAO]

I have been running that exact same set up (wix filter) for a few years now..
Some nine months ago I did put in a fresh filter.
I split open the old filter, and to the naked eye, it looked pretty clean...

With that said.....
Why fix it?
If it ain't broke..!!
Right...?

Point taken...!!

 

[Elbert]

SilveradoSierra

CarGurus

Elbert, those are only two of many sites...


Also checked with NAPA AND AUTOZONE, but they could not find one for my specific VIN#.
I also checked with other online Autoparts, again using the VIN #, and came back with no fuel filter available.
Dealership confirmed it.

I should mentions that (research, research) this is not the case for ALL engines above 2004, but RATHER SPECIFIC engines (like mine) with only one fuel rail going into the engine.....
Also, important to know what vehicle your engine is coming out of.....


100% sure ?
No, but pretty close to it....

well I guess GM is up to things... for an in-tank pump one filter would be good I assume, I do like the idea of a filter between the pump and the engine but if the design is different on "select" engines...then you got to go with the flow. Kind of like the wonderful GM engines that had the oil filter in the oil pan.

 

[Dozer18]

well I guess GM is up to things... for an in take pump one filter would be good I assume, I do like the idea of a filter between the pump and the engine but if the design is different on "select" engines...then you got to go with the flow. Kind of like the wonderful GM engines that had the oil filter in the oil pan.

I kinda look at it as a two-filter setup where the one in the tank is like a bigger, 100-micron filter, filtering out large contaminants before they hit the pump. Just like if you were to install an inline filter on the frame with a bigger filter before the pump and a smaller, 40-micron filter after the pump.

Seems like the setup Manu has been running has worked fairly well. I wish more people were running the Delco pump in the FJ60/62 tank so we had more data points. I know most folks favor the inline Walbro (or other) filters with a Wix filter, and maybe we'll move to that at some point, but I don't mind being a guinea pig for now.

 

[Dozer18]

It's been a few weeks since we've put up any updates; I had two straight weeks of visitors here in Hong Kong and Dakota's been a little busy at the shop. Anyway, since 1 April we've managed to get the adapter on the new drivetrain along with the rebuilt transfer case, build the new fuel pump assembly, and plumb most of the fuel system.

Here's some of the t-case breakdown and adapter work:

Getting the transfer case off the old transmission

Getting the shaft cut to size:

Oh, and I ordered some new struts for the liftgate off of eBay; old ones were shot. Yes, that's a classic Vespa in the background:

 

[Dozer18]

Got the fittings on the Wix filter and the fuel rail. I went with Black anodized Russell fittings from Summit.

Filter and fittings:

With the hose end fittings screwed on; we'll be running Summit Racing S/S braided hose. Hose and all fittings are -AN 6:

The fitting attached to the single fuel rail on the new Vortec:

Looking at where we'll mount the filter on the frame; those are the new OME springs in the background:

 

[Dozer18]

As we've discussed extensively, we decided to modify a stock AC Delco fuel pump to run in the stock FJ62 tank assembly. Here's Dakota's handiwork:

I'm excited about this setup and I'm confident it will work well. Dakota put a quick charge on it to hear it run and said it was super quiet.

That's all the updates for now. Hoping to get the first look at the full drivetrain in the truck next week so we can start assessing the fitment. Dakota is going to put at least the front OME springs on first, then we can make a decision on using the stock oil pan or order the H3.

 

[Grumpyhead12]

As we've discussed extensively, we decided to modify a stock AC Delco fuel pump to run in the stock FJ62 tank assembly. Here's Dakota's handiwork:

View attachment 1243011

View attachment 1243010

I'm excited about this setup and I'm confident it will work well. Dakota put a quick charge on it to hear it run and said it was super quiet.

That's all the updates for now. Hoping to get the first look at the full drivetrain in the truck next week so we can start assessing the fitment. Dakota is going to put at least the front OME springs on first, then we can make a decision on using the stock oil pan or order the H3.

That was a Walbro pump? Do you know the part number?
David

 

[Dozer18]

That was a Walbro pump? Do you know the part number?
David

Pretty sure it was a Delco pump from a Delco repair kit. I'll let @Dsellers explain exactly what he did.

Forgot to mention we are working up the engine mounts and crossbar mount as well. Still using the Advanced Adapters engine mounts, but going to modify the original crossbar mount a la @35inchoverdrive . I'll be returning the AA crossbar.

 

[Dozer18]

The progress continues...

Cleaned up and prepped with some POR 15.

Got the front OME lift on, getting ready to drop the Vortec in...

Those are 32s; the drivetrain will obviously bring it down a bit, but might have to put on those 33s sooner rather than later.

 

[Dozer18]

Here's the solution we used for the GM-to-Toyota oil sensor sending unit:

While we could've tapped it, we ordered this part (the brass sender) from Marks4wd in Australia. Part # MFK669G3, it's the Oil Pressure Sensor Adapter M16 x 1.5 to 1/8" BSP. Cost is USD $34.17, but it did cost another $20 or so to ship it DHL from Australia.

 

[Dozer18]

Guys, as you might imagine, the initial attempt at dropping the engine in proved that the stock manifolds on the L59 won't fit between the frame rails. No real surprise there, but now need to order up some headers asap. I know that there are many options - I've read through dozens of these forums, but lots of them are a few years old and I would appreciate any comments on recent experiences using some of the different options (or comments on how some options have played out long-term). Advanced Adapters are the ones I'm leaning towards but curious about the Corvette/Camaro option as well. Thoughts/comments appreciated... Thanks!

 

[MANUCHAO]

Corvette manifold here.....
going on 9 years 100k+ miles, and two frames with zero issues to date....

 

[Dozer18]

Well, this was one of those unplanned purchases but just got a pair of Hooker exhaust manifolds (8501-HKR) for the Ghost. Thanks to @35inchoverdrive for the inspiration. Keeping fingers crossed that I won't need the H3 pan, since I still have to source the cooling system, exhaust, a new tach, and a few other odds and ends. I get back in late June so clock is ticking...