Misfire problem with my swap has become too nasty to ignore any longer. I cant keep any constant speed without downshifting repeatedly. Everything points to wasted thrust bearings mucking up the crank sensor signal throwing the PCM for a loop. New engine time

As of 9am today


The replacement 03 5.3. Not skipping the steps I did last time. New oil pump and using the proper balancer tool. No more hammering on the balancer


One last shot before it comes out


Pic of the PCM hole with the HVAC box removed


Fbody pan, stock K-member, no notch, super tight fit


Wish I had poly mounts now, theres about 1" of clearance from the flange to the floor. It torques that far. I put a collector flange in the Y-pipe for ease of removal for future repairs. I wasnt expecting the repairs to be this soon


As of 12pm. Trans fluid is the devil, I hate the stuff. Pulled the DS and a few drops came out. Got the engine on the ground and a few more drops. About an hour later it puked the lake you see

 

Opening the new 5.3 up. CLEAN, but new oil pump is going in anyways. Not worth the risk to me




Old engine, stripped and discarded. Mockup for the twin car?


New engine fully dressed except for the pan. I found my pickup O-ring was pinched so I wasnt going to reuse it. Advance auto babbled and scratched their heads like they'd never heard of O-rings before. No biggie, Ill get one from the dealer tomorrow. It just means my quick swap becomes a 2 day affair. Still no one day job, although not for lack of trying


Tomorrow's plans: O-ring, pan, attach trans, attach front suspension, install, rewire, attach hoses, add fluids, bleed brakes, drive

 

lol Looks like you'll be done #2 before me

 

yep this is depressing.
i cant make one motor work and here goes Jon on his second in less than a month

hope the new motor runs strong!

~Steven

 

I got 6,000 miles from #1, so all is not lost

'Tis depressing though

If #2 poops out, I think Ill buy an import and become a vegan

 

i know the feeling. my 347 crapped out after half a season. the spare 4.8l didn't make it out of the shop before it spun a cam bearing, the 370 spit all its bearings out after 600miles, and i've just now gotten it back together. i'm hoping to have first fire of the refreshed 370 in the next day or so. it's been a ride....had ProLine redo the bottom end this last time...i don't think there will be any issues now, lol.

 

Thats too bad about your first one not working out. Surprisingly ironic considering you have helped so many get theres working and to my knowledge yours is the only dud yet. Good thing as two duds in a row is EXTREMELY unlikely so veganism aint in your future me thinks

 

You work messy lol all that fluid on the floor

 

a little off topic. do you do anything with your springs? do you just disconnect the struts and lift it like that? looks too easy. i imagine you could do this with a cherry picker. good luck with the 2nd, looks good!

 

Man that's a bummer about the first block. What exactly is it that you think was the gremlin, it wasn't the crank sensor, it was...?

 

That's a nice shop Jon. Too bad you aren't closer...

I'm thinking I may have to drop mine to get the transmission dipstick to clear. Not fun on jackstands :-/

 

I work pretty clean, the trans was wierd about dripping thrans fluid, then an hour later puking a lake out of nowhere. Its all cleaned up now, just wanst fun to work in a swamp

I cut 1/2 coil off my front springs and the ride height is nearly perfect for a DD. I posted several exterior pics in the member's firebirds section

Undo the wiring, hoses, front brakes, exhaust, and 6 K-member bolts then the whole thing drops out the bottom. You can do it with cherry picker, ghettocruiser has plenty of pics how he did it. My friend had a lift so i jumped on the chance

First engine was more of a snowball effect of problems. First, I hammered on the balancer which didnt do the thrust bearings any favors. Next, the oil pump croaked, so the thrust bearings got even more wear. Couple that with abuse and the crank starts to walk the reluctor beyond the view of the crank sensor. PCMs love that

 

Onto today's progress

Searched for 3 hours trying to find the oil pump O-ring. Even the dealer didnt have it. Ended up buying an assorted pack and matching one from that. Got started at 11 and worked till 6

New O-ring installed, pan on, trans attached, ready to go


Fully dressed with intake and harness


And she's in there


Pitman arm vs PS pulley
Luckily the truck PS pump uses the same pulley and its steel


All clean, aside from my wobbly camera hands


Each time I remove the harness this area gets a little cleaner. You can actually see the PCM hole with everything installed now


Almost done


Top off the fluids and fire


Two days of work and the new engine is in there, ready for G14. New tires tomorrow and the trip is a go. This one better last a little longer than the first

 

Everyone should have a lift like that.

Good work. Congrats!

 

Yeah really, that would make almost everything ridiculously easier.

swap #2 looks good, before long you'll have it down to 12 hours!

 

Took me about 16 hours total

Had to call it a day early on Tuesday without the pump O-ring. Got a late start on Wed looking for a replacement O-ring and got done around 7

Not bad for a solo venture

 

16 hours hey? I'm hoping mine comes in under 16 months, but it's not looking good.

Very nice man.

 

Good stuff pocket. The 2nd swaps always go a little smoother dont they? haha. And you get a chance to redo some of the stuff you wish you did different the first time. I hate to say it, but I almost cant wait to pull my motor and trans out again haha.

This should also be a testiment for the "through the bottom" approach to engine removal!!

J.

 

through the bottom is the best way IMO

 

You should get some video Pocket

 

There IS a diiference between " unsupervised " & " doing it all by myself " LOLol!!
Man, what a pisser!! You have patience!!
I probly would have thrown something at it, let it sit til I got cooled down, about a month maybe.

Best of luck!!!

 

what mounts did you use???

 

Spohn engine stands, custom fabbed trans crossmember

 

spohn mounts with the 1 inch set back, and ls clamshells?

 

Spohns are 1" setback when compared to the SBC adapter plates

 

thanks!

 

You really need to go over this thread: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...third-gen.html
as well as: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...otor-into.html

Most of your questions have been answered 100 times over. There's also a search button you can/should use to find something specific. That said, good luck with the build!

 

look dude, i am NOWHERE near getting ready to drop my 4.8 into my car for the final time, i'm still working on the harness (it's a pain). i'm just trying to get some ideas for my mounts and taking my mind off of the harness at the same time