4.3L Vortec Getting a Rebuild
#93
Tom, I'm particularly jealous of that parts washer!
#97
Guys, today was the big day... At last, I got the engine hoist and pulled the engine. My setup was pretty much the same as that picture with the leveler above, I had to use all those washers on the intake bolts as well because when I cut one down to size it would still only thread in the same amount... The only difference was I shortened the chains on it even more so the leveler was as close to the engine as possible. Getting the tranny and engine apart was the hardest part! But a little prying and it came free, then it was just lifting the engine straight up and out pretty much, luckily the hoist lifted the engine high enough so I didn't have to do anything but slide it back and out. After I had it out of the truck my impact made quick work of the flexplate bolts so I could put it on the stand. I could only get three arms of the stand attached to it of the four there are, seems to be sturdy though so I'm not too worried. So... When I started lifting the engine I noticed the engine mounts stayed down and the engine was lifting up, yup sure enough not one but BOTH of the engine mounts were broken. Well... Interesting. I confirmed the rear main seal is leaking. I'll pull the driverside head next, it's just so much easier working inside with the engine on a stand now!
#99
Congrats!! Good work!! Yep broken mounts are common with this V6. Has to do with the way you balance a 90 degree V6. Note they even incorporated a balance shaft above the cam to help with balance. This might be a topic interesting to a mechanical engineer!! You can find out about balancing on this V6 rotating assembly through Google searches.
PS wire the torque converter in place before you try to move the vehicle around. Couple of wood blocks in front with wire across between bellhousing bolts. Don't want it to fall out!
PS wire the torque converter in place before you try to move the vehicle around. Couple of wood blocks in front with wire across between bellhousing bolts. Don't want it to fall out!
Last edited by LesMyer; 02-01-2022 at 06:07 AM.
#100
Thanks guys, so much stress is relieved now that it's out! I'll definitely get the energy suspension mounts I got that brand of body mounts and they do good. That makes some sense Les, that is interesting I will have to check out more about that. Talking about moving the vehicle around, I wanted to move it this morning before I pulled the engine just so I could get a better angle with the hoist and it would have made it easier to slide it out after. Well, the truck ate my key, and I found out that it won't even let me shift out of park unless it has power? I just left the key in there for now I'm sure it will just come out once I have the battery connected again? I will make sure to wire the torque converter in place though I definitely forgot that it's just sitting there right now! I'm looking to get the driverside head off tonight and pop all the exhaust valves out, I popped the two out that were left on the passenger side head, cylinder 2 was good all around but cylinder 4 was sticking too, not as bad as cylinder 6 but nevertheless, it was sticking.