96-99 454 Vortec owners?

[vr1967]

Just got back from picking up a 2000 7.4L pull out a guy had. Said it had 85K miles on it and a slight tapping/knock, so he changed it out. It is complete except for the throttle body, distributor, and water pump and accessories. I paid $250 for it, so I don't think I did bad. Will pull it down and give it a good going thru before I install it, to replace my 200K plus in my 2000 K2500
I'm hoping the tap/knock was the one we are all chasing!

[Smith97_454]

Couple things

One has anyone put a remote oil filter on these engines? The oil filter comes out ridiculously close to the manifold on a stock engine, and is even closer on an engine with Headers. I run the extra capacity K&N filter and the things starts out white, but by the time an oil change comes the thing has a big brown mark on it from the heat. I think it would help big time with oil temp along with making it much easier to do an oil change. Also you can mount the filter pointing downwards so that you can fill it up everytime an oil change comes so it doesn't dry start. I hate pulling the filter off this thing as it is, It always pills fluid down the block and everywhere.

Second is replacing the oil cooler lines. Mine are leaky and suck like all gm's. Anybody just bought some line and fittings and replace them. I was going to just pull them but that might be a bad idea from what ive seen here and on other sites. I was thinking about just cutting the rubber section from the hard lines where they first come out of the radiator and block. Then putting some earls hose on it and tightening down with a small band clamp. Think that will suffice?

Third
I dont have my truck close to look at but it also is leaking out of the valve covers i believe. Mainly the drivers side. Can both valve covers be pulled without removing the plenum? I forget. Granted the drivers side is leaking but i would like to do both at once. Also are there any aftermarket covers that will fit? Something to dress it up like some aluminum covers? I know the passenger side is tight but wasn't sure if anyone knows of any that will fit.

[Smith97_454]

well now that i think of it........wouldn't the bypass on the filter relocation kit bypass my lines anyway thus me not needing to replace them?

[skills4lou]

Smith97,
You can remove both valve covers without removing anything else. It's easier on the drivers side if you also remove the EGR valve and purge solenoid, but not required.
The covers are already aluminum, with a black paint covering. Easiest way to dress em up might be have 'em sandblasted then powdercoated.

[Smith97_454]

whats the better gasket to run? Cork or Rubber?

Also any idea on that bypass idea? If i install a oil filter relocator that has a bypass for the filter wont it also bypass my oil cooler lines making them useless as well?

[skills4lou]

OE gasket is rubber, and it's working on mine. Oil bypass, no ideas. Mine is all stock.

[PonyKiller87]

I think with the stock setup the oil will still go out the cooler lines even if its bypassing your filter. If I remember right it goes through the filter, back into the block to the oil cooler line out to the cooler then back into the block. I know there is a flow diagram in my service manual, Ill try and find it tomorrow.

[PonyKiller87]

More injector questions...

Has anyone tried to fit the newer style short injectors in thier truck? Any luck? Without trying it I'm not sure it would work without modifying the hold down bolts and a few other things to let them seat all the way, that is if they would even seat being that with them lower the angle would change...? Any thoughts?

Also, does anyone know a site that gives the sizes of the different stock injectors? I'm looking at the injector and rail setup from an 8.1L truck, one place I found says 39# another says 42#, and none of them say if its 3 or 4 bar?

[Steady Eddie]

Tom--

On vacation here, towing the Jeep Grand.

I had some work done on the Coach before we left home.

One, I had the front end aligned, as it had no toe-in.
Now it drives one-hand, all the way up.

Two, I had Allison go through the transmission.

And the thing FLIES...

If I drop it down from, say 70 MPH, and let it lug down on a grade, to about 65 MPH (or 3400 RPMs) it'll flat HOLD 65 on a 6 or even 7% grade...towing the Jeep.

Instead of revving it to the VE point of max torque it pulls much harder if you "come down" to it INSTEAD of "pulling up" to it.

The one thing that the Allison Tech did (for sure) was to reset the mechanical governor.

What a change...

[imprezkid]

DOes the pressure line go to the back of the regulor or is that for the return, my truck quit running, it builds about 60lbs of fuel pressure when you turn the ignition on but then it quickly bleeds down. Replaced the injectors and regulator not long ago, have the manifold off and it doesn't appear that any injectors are leaking, filter is good. its like its bleeding back into the tank or something?

[N0DIH]

Cool! Sounds great! You going to get through Chicagoland?

Originally Posted by Steady Eddie

Tom--

On vacation here, towing the Jeep Grand.

I had some work done on the Coach before we left home.

One, I had the front end aligned, as it had no toe-in.
Now it drives one-hand, all the way up.

Two, I had Allison go through the transmission.

And the thing FLIES...

If I drop it down from, say 70 MPH, and let it lug down on a grade, to about 65 MPH (or 3400 RPMs) it'll flat HOLD 65 on a 6 or even 7% grade...towing the Jeep.

Instead of revving it to the VE point of max torque it pulls much harder if you "come down" to it INSTEAD of "pulling up" to it.

The one thing that the Allison Tech did (for sure) was to reset the mechanical governor.

What a change...

[TexasT]

Well, upon further testing and some self incurred 'warranty' work, it appears as those clips on the fuel rail that hold the depth of the injector are necessary. I got mine up and running good. The fuel 'curves' are both quite low compared to before I installed the new parts(injectors, pressure regulator, plugs, cap, rotor).

The wife called me up the other morning and said she could smell gas. I told her park it and I would have a look. The front injector spit the top o-ring. I have pix but haven't uploaded them yet. Will post back when I do.

I did manage to rip one of the gaskets this time on the plenum removal. Now it has an intermittent vacuum leak. It seems to come and go. I'm hoping with the heat of a longer drive will seal it up, as I just put it together last night and let my daughter take it for a spin around the neighbor hood. We are going to Dallas today for a down syndrome walk, so I will see.

Running well again and that's all the wife cares about. How long, who knows but for now all is good.

[Steady Eddie]

Originally Posted by N0DIH

Cool! Sounds great! You going to get through Chicagoland?

===============================================
Tom--

We are on our way to the NASCAR Races in Phoenix, along way from your area...

But yesterday we made the run from Laughlin, Nevada, into the RV Resort here in Goodyear, Arizona, in record (for us) time.

The L21 Vortec 454 held it at 65 MPH up all the hills, in high gear, at about 3400 RPMs...flying like never before. The coolant temp did not go up, nor did the 70+ PSI oil pressure drop.

Totally one-hand-on-the-wheel stable.

It drives completely different, at 26000 #s CGVWR...awesome!!!

[N0DIH]

Cool, how is mpg, is it better/worse? Or too close to really tell much?

Originally Posted by Steady Eddie

===============================================
Tom--

We are on our way to the NASCAR Races in Phoenix, along way from your area...

But yesterday we made the run from Laughlin, Nevada, into the RV Resort here in Goodyear, Arizona, in record (for us) time.

The L21 Vortec 454 held it at 65 MPH up all the hills, in high gear, at about 3400 RPMs...flying like never before. The coolant temp did not go up, nor did the 70+ PSI oil pressure drop.

Totally one-hand-on-the-wheel stable.

It drives completely different, at 26000 #s CGVWR...awesome!!!

[Redz Z]

The 96 7.4 Vortec @ 100K miles is getting a much needed tune up... There are signs that the previous owner neglected maintenance. I just ordered: wires, fuel pump & strainer, cap, rotor, Five O Motorsports injectors, Delco precat 02 sensors, Volant intake, fuel pressure regulator and a few more goodies. If I get another 100k out of these parts, it is money well spent.

Silly question, but I am curious... Can you guys spin your tires with your trucks? Not that I want to roast my tires or grenade my tranny, but I am really surprised that my truck won't even chirp the tires if I hammer it. I have the Wester's 89-91 tune and the truck moves out good for its size, I am just surprised there isn't enough low end to chirp em.

[Hatfieco]

What gears do you have? With 4.10s and 35s I can fry mine if I want. Chirp em all the time taking off around town. Mods in sig, for the most part its stock.

[98valkyrie]

Originally Posted by Redz Z

Silly question, but I am curious... Can you guys spin your tires with your trucks? Not that I want to roast my tires or grenade my tranny, but I am really surprised that my truck won't even chirp the tires if I hammer it. I have the Wester's 89-91 tune and the truck moves out good for its size, I am just surprised there isn't enough low end to chirp em.

HAHAHA Just remember- Torque Management. The computer takes a whole lot of ignition advancement out.
Try this. At a dead stop, do a brake stall. Get the RPM's up to about 1500-2000. Let off the brake and watch 'em spin.

.

[Redz Z]

Originally Posted by Hatfieco

What gears do you have? With 4.10s and 35s I can fry mine if I want. Chirp em all the time taking off around town. Mods in sig, for the most part its stock.

Hmm, I have everything that you have, 4.10s and 35s. I even have the Wester's Tune where like 85% of the Torque management has been removed...

[Hatfieco]

Could just be my rear suspension is stiffer? I know that gms timing of the cam put our peak torque at 3200rpm instead of down where it should be.

[Redz Z]

I am running add-a-leafs in the back with traction bars... Hmmm, ah well. Must be that dense coastal air of yours in Oregon. :-)