Well, instead of thinning the inventory i actually pulled the trigger on yet another acquisition. Nope, not a car although it could easily find a home in one. What I scored was an 02 Iron block 5.3 from an Avalanche 4x4. It came as a test run unit meaning that it was started and allowed to run before it was removed from the vehicle. The deal, with the ECM, was 650 Cdn. Picked it up today and brought it home. Right now it is solidly attached to my engine stand while I give some thought to what to do with it. NO, just to all-stop that line of encouragement, it is not going into the Monte. It took me too many years to find that year correct mill that I have in it now. The maybe could be my S-10 but to do that, at a minimum, I need a shallow sump oil pan and matching pick up, new motor mounts, and possibly shorty headers, although I like the look of the stock manifolds., Still need to scare up the stock engine management harness as having that will make it more of a plug and play exercise. The existing air plenum will get tossed in favor of a low profile unit like the Camaro's run. Reasonably sure that someone will throw a stocker on the net for sale at some point.
What it is, is a scungy, filthy, mangy brute in need of some wire brush and varsol TLC before it gets its load lightened. i will have to score the bracket for the Alternator/power steering pump and for the A/C pump as well. Still most of what makes it U-gly is superficial and should respond to some air wheel love.
No plans to pay Hummer prices for a low profile oil pan but again, E-Bay has been known to offer the darndest things to the highest bidder.
Cam?? Valve springs??? are things to think about during the winter. I have to have a budget for this up front or it will become a room mate for my 400SBC.
it is up for an oil and filter change so i can fillet the oil filter and see what's to be seen. The existing oil in the pan is all there and not burnt or gooey but I have not idea how long it has been sitting or what grade it might be so an immediate oil change is a cheap date. I also have a call in on a oil system external pressurizing thingamajig because, unlike the rest of my toys, with this you can't just pull the timer and plug in a pump drive and use a heavy 1/2" drill to prime the mill.
Once i get it a little more presentable, (read deloused of old flaky paint and rust and grease/crug) I may pop a picture or two of it.
Right now it sits as the differential is the main job on the floor and I still have to punch out the old upper control arm bushings and install a new pinion seal on it before it can sent to paint and then stuffed back under the Monte.
Nick
