NC LX becomes NC LC

[NC LX]

Did you miss the replacement pedal?
I have a few FJ62 brake pedals kicking around too.

I saw it along with some other goodies. I’m going to pull it back off and paint the bracket. Be a good time to install the replacement pedal.

I’m sure I probably forgot something, next order will be a good time to inquire about that pedal….

 

[NC LX]

First Crank! I love it when a plan comes together. She sounds Healthy.



Lots of little things to wrap up, but it feels good to jump this hurdle.

 

[NC LX]

Well…. After a high with the first crank, I’ve been humbled. My Speedhut gauges arrived late Monday night so last night I spent time in the garage connecting everything. The gauges look fantastic but they showed ….engine isn’t making oil pressure. Ran for about 30 to 45on Monday, and last night I probably did the same. Gauge showed about 8-10psi at first and dropped off. Ended up dropping the oil pan to check pick up tube and o ring. From my inspection, looks like I used the wrong o ring at the oil pump and the pump wasn’t pulling a vacuum. I inspected the oil and can see little sparkles. Looks like I’m gonna be pulling in engine back out. Not the end of the world but super frustrating.

First world problem but with the bottom end freshened up along with the heads, 3k on the transmission, rebuilt split case with new bearings, driveshafts with new u-joints, and the diffs completely gone through, the 000000MI on the new gauge will more accurately represent the milage.

 

[NC LX]

Well, I heard from the machine shop. I didn’t kill my engine. Turns out there was a crack in the oil passage through the block. Machinist said out of hundreds of LS platforms he’s worked on, he’s never seen that. Currently have a lead on an 09 5.3 or debating on buying a good block to move everything over too.

 

[NC LX]

Dropped off the 09 block at the machine shop. I got to see the 07 block and the crack, It had a hairline crack from below the cam bearing down to the main bearing and even on the other side of the crank into the main cap. Made sense why it didn’t have pressure. They gave me the #1 cap to keep.

Fingers crossed this 09 block doesn’t have any surprises.

 

[NC LX]

Machine shop called this morning and said the 09 short block was ready. Polished crank, resurfaced deck, .020 with new pistons, rings, bearings, timing chain, etc. …all the goodies to freshen up the ol iron.

Run Jack Run …..and make oil pressure

Ive got the motor mostly assembled to long block status. Priming the motor, oil came up through the push rods. I’m cautiously optimistic.


Drive shaft were picked up last week. Front drive shaft compared to the original. Diameter is 2” made with .120 tube. Clearance is exactly what is needed without trimming.

 

[cruisermatt]

That’s crazy on that block.

 

[NC LX]

Take two…


Another first crank, went much better this time. Oil pressure went straight to 60.

 

[NC LX]

That’s crazy on that block.

I felt like a celebrity in front of a bunch of old school machinist. They showed me the block and all stopped to come ask me about it. They had never seen anything like it. I wish I would have kept it, that block would make a nice conversation piece as a coffee table.

 

[NC LX]

Kids are out of school, so took them on a field trip. Jeffs Muffler in Oneonta, Alabama. I came here in 1998 to run duals on my S10 in high school. Pretty cool this place is still open and I’m here with my girls now. Seems like a lifetime ago and yesterday at the same time. And yes Jeff is still running it.

I’m sure my neighbors will appreciate this. Nothing fancy, simple reliable Magnaflow with a slight rumble out the back.

No miles yet. Just idle time to check for leaks, temp cooling, and out of the garage for a bath and on to the trailer. Spoke with the tuner Friday to get with him next week for Dyno time and setting up the tune for the transmission.

 

[NC LX]

Fantastic weekend at the ONSC Christmas party seeing my extended family. The Barn is a special place and I would drive double to just spend a few hours. It was awesome seeing everyone and Several asked how's it going on the 60 5.3 swap. Currently sorting through some issues since getting back from the exhaust shop and here it is laid out.

When I got home the next day, I pulled it off the trailer and had Jack idling in the driveway. Now that the O2 sensor is connected the ECM was able to go into "learn mode." I was working in the garage, frequently checking for leaks, temperatures, sounds, etc. The engine shut off between 30-45 min. After a failed re-crank, I went through checking fuses and traced it back to the fuel pump relay.​

Referencing the Holley wiring diagram, Pin A2, in Plug P1A, sends 12v to the FP relay, opens the relay and then sends 12v to injectors, coils, and the fuel pump. The ECM is set to a 5 sec prime from pin A2, where 12v is sent to the FP relay to build fuel pressure. This all worked correctly. The problem I found is, after priming, the ECM is supposed to send 12v from pin A2 when it sees RPM from the crank. Cranking RPM is between 153 and 191. This should be plenty for the ECM to open the Circuit. Holley tech support agreed and said it had a "dead circuit" and had me ship it back.​

Update. Spoke with Holley and they confirmed what I had found. New ECU was shipped out today.

 

[NC LX]

New ECU arrived, and Holley sent me a tune for my 2020 2500 Van TCM. As of right now the 2009 5.3 and the 2020 6l90 are behaving and talking nice to each other. Yesterday I was able to log 2 miles and shift through all 6 gears.

The acceleration is unreal compared to what it was. Well, After the first mile, I noticed line pressure in the trans wasn’t reading so I returned home to investigate. Holley controlling the 6l80/6l90 is still new and there’s limited information. Looks like I’ll need to add a sensor to the test port and a pin to the ecu to pick up the reading. I’ll confirm tomorrow with tech.


For the console, I’ve been working on this idea on of using 100 shifter trim and locating the transfer case shifter in the same location as the 100s. Something about having a nice console in a vehicle make the drivers experience so much better.

 

[NC LX]

Good news to report, Crossed 200 uneventful miles related to the engine. I took Jack this past Tuesday and had the Holley ecu tuned by a local guy. There was a low idle at red lights that it seems he has resolved.

• Walbro fuel pump started dying last weekend. Noticed on my way home the fuel pump psi was dropping from 60 to 18 when I arrived at home. I installed a Supra Denso pump that I had ordered a few months ago. It's amazing how quiet the Denso is. I thought I had electrical issues when I first installed it. Turns out, I just had to have my ear to the tank to hear it run. Also noticed my 15a fp fuse was melted and unblown. Walbro pump defiantly had something going on.
• Noticed a driveline vibe after 60mph. I had the rear drive shaft shorted here locally, so I'm going to run it back over there have the balanced rechecked. I've never been able to drive this speed to notice things like little vibes.
• RPM @ 60mph in 6th gear is between 1800-1900. With the 2f I was running 3500 @ 60. Last night I was driving home from a trip to the Grocery store having a conversation with my daughter at 40mph, the truck was in 6th gear and I was running 1200rpm with plenty of power. I still haven't installed carpet, in the front or the dash, and other than road noise you can't hear the engine run. Amazing how much quieter it is, and easy it is to drive now.

Trip planned on the 24th so while the drive shaft gets sorted, Im going get split case shifters sorted.

 

[NC LX]

Contacted Tom Woods last week and a few days later my new DC drive shaft is installed. This solved my annoying little vibration.

It’s to tempting to “get on it” now and I didn’t wanna put unnecessary wear on the rear differential bearings so I parked it until I resolved the vibration. Funny thing is, my pampered, entitled, silver spoon kids were more excited because we can take Jack to school again. Maybe I’m not totally screwing them up. Isla says Jack is gonna be her first car….

In other news I picked up a back up Cruiser. @JohnVee wasn’t ready to let Frank come back so I picked up 2016 GX460. Frank is living a pampered life at the lake so it probably for the best. Anyways, Surprised how much I like the GX460. It has just enough tech and comfort but still feel ol school Toyota.

 

[Elbert]

There is a place down here where I live that does good exhaust work, ping me if you ever need another option. (Cullman)

 

[Skitz]

Just found your thread!

Man, sorry to read about the engine problems you had late last year... Glad you got it back up and running....

Truck looks good!

 

[NC LX]

Just found your thread!

Man, sorry to read about the engine problems you had late last year... Glad you got it back up and running....

Truck looks good!

Thanks. It worked out. I got it sorted and now have a better product. 60 got put on the back burner for the last few weeks while I took care of side projects that’s helping fund it along with family priorities, but I was finally able to spend some time in the garage this week.

Consider yourself a sponsor. I’m using the center console from your 100 series 4.7 donor.

 

[Skitz]

Thanks. It worked out. I got it sorted and now have a better product. 60 got put on the back burner for the last few weeks while I took care of side projects that’s helping fund it along with family priorities, but I was finally able to spend some time in the garage this week.

Consider yourself a sponsor. I’m using the center console from your 100 series 4.7 donor.

HA... I was staring at that pic of the console trying to remember if I had used it or left in the donor.... it works! nice job...

 

[NC LX]

I finally got around to getting 6l90 Reverse lights and backup camera working. Tied into the can bus using Speartech relay kit.

6L80 / 6L90 Reverse Light CAN Relay Kit

6L80/6L90 Reverse CAN relay for use into pro-touring vehicles. Compatible with GMPP and other 3rd party harness vendors using E38 or E67 ECMs.

www.speartech.com

Several hundred miles on the swap and to say I’m really enjoying it would be an understatement. Low teens in the mornings this week and Jack cranks with a bump of the key. My oldest loves riding in it and I’ve found when we go on drives thats the place she opens up and talks. Several years to get to this point, but worth every second and dollar.

I’m still liking the Holley but I’ve found my self wishing there was a check engine light and I could just scan the computer. The Holley setup is over kill for me and the GM ecu setup may be better for the future. I’ve Noticed around 50-60 under increased load there is a misfire/stumble that feels like vibration. I’ve been through the coils/plugs/wires/fuel pressure and nothing is jumping out. Going to get with the tuner on Monday and have him look over the data log.

 

[NC LX]

I’ve been enjoying the skinny pedal a little too much. Calculated fuel milage at yesterday’s fill up. 10.36mpg. Smiles per gallon is comparable to Prius MPG.