The Purple Monkey Dishwasher TBSS

[motorheadmike]

Spent 4 hours diagnosing the problem last weekend to learn it was the starter (FML!), and not my previous guesses. After crying for the last week - I spent 6 hours today pulling it apart to get at it. This involves taking everything off the PS of the engine and lifting up that side of the engine to get the header out in order to disconnect the power lead and exciter, and be able to drop the starter out.

It was.

It is.

I managed to only break one spark plug (TR6) all of which looked great for 6 years and lots off boost. I am going to upgrade to BR6s and gap them a bit tighter because reasons (like 12psi all the time reasons). Everything else was just tight, rusted or corroded thanks to many Winters of wear and tear. Fortunately nothing significant broke.

The problem.

As you can see the ground strap is fooked.

Time to place another fat order with Rockauto for a new starter, some plugs, and header gaskets (yeah, I know they can be reused... but, why risk a leak?).

 

[fleming442]

Damn, you can get away with 6s? I would have figured 8s

 

[ck80]

Were you wrenching outside, looks sunny/asphalt? Did this break in the lift to help out getting the starter from underneath or was this an old fashioned style repair?

 

[motorheadmike]

Damn, you can get away with 6s? I would have figured 8s

I am going to chalk it up to a lot of octane... and a half decent tune. Maybe. Or dumb luck. I think there are BR7s in the Monte.

Were you wrenching outside, looks sunny/asphalt? Did this break in the lift to help out getting the starter from underneath or was this an old fashioned style repair?

This really isn't a hoist job. The truck is stupid high and most of the parts are coming out of the top... plus the floor jack action required to get the engine up and over. I was only under the truck for a few minutes. So, it is pure old school.

 

[Texas82GP]

Man, those winters are harsh! That starter looks terrible! I replaced mine on my truck when I swapped to the 4L80E, just because. It still looked basically new at 169k miles. Just a different world up there.

 

[Northernregal]

Man, those winters are harsh! That starter looks terrible! I replaced mine on my truck when I swapped to the 4L80E, just because. It still looked basically new at 169k miles. Just a different world up there.

Come for a visit some time. Lol

Alberta is a beautiful place in January.

 

[motorheadmike]

Man, those winters are harsh! That starter looks terrible! I replaced mine on my truck when I swapped to the 4L80E, just because. It still looked basically new at 169k miles. Just a different world up there.

I put some POR-15 lipstick on that pig before my cheap @ss stuffed it back in there hoping it wouldn't come back to bite me. It eventually did. New starter is in the mail.

 

[motorheadmike]

Come for a visit some time. Lol

Alberta is a beautiful place in January.

Yeah, real pleasant.

Had my car broken into on New Years Eve in Calgary. Oilers and Flames suck too. Alberta can EAD.

 

[motorheadmike]

Here's a helpful guide on NGK plug selection for LS engines. Obviously the big difference is the 10.9:1 CR in the TBSS' LS2. I am big fan of copper plugs.

NGK Spark plug info

Since this question comes up often, I thought I would write this up so Jay can sticky it for new members and old members for quick reference without searching. These are all NGK copper plugs which is pretty much the unanimous recommendation by LS builders/tuners who usually dont agree on...

www.tbssowners.com

TR5- 2238 stock heat range .035 gap

TR55- 3951 stock heat range .055 gap

TR6- 4177. 1 heat range colder .035 gap (best plug for most TBSS with tune, bolt ons, cam only)

BR6EF- 3177. Same as TR6 but with non projected tip for nitrous or boost .035 gap

BR7EF- 3346. Two heat ranges colder non projected tip 125+ shot or 10 + psi .032 gap

B8EFS- 1049. Three heat ranges colder, non projected tip, non resisted. 15 psi or 200 + shot with increased compression

B9EFS- 1085. Four heat ranges colder, non projected tip, non resisted. Now you are making some big power

 

[Texas82GP]

Come for a visit some time. Lol

Alberta is a beautiful place in January.

Thanks for the invite but considering I don't fly, it's unlikely. 🙂