Removal of Timing set and camshaft

Feb 23, 3024

Continued to tear the engine down, today it’s time for removal of the camshaft, so I removed the timing set and the camshaft thrust split and then pulled out the camshaft. Camshaft looked OK, but the bearings looked a bit more. I could see a bit of copper coming through, so I was concerned. Not knowing what to do I called the engine shop and asked him about it, however, in order for them to take a look and possibly change the camshaft bearings. They need a totally stripped down engine.

Day 01 – L33 and 4l60e are inside

Was able to bring the engine and trans into the shop to start the separation and rebuild process. Things went smoothly was able to remove the wiring harness, detach the transmission , and mount the engine into the engine stand.

Took the 4l60e home to remove the bell housing, but despite using the T-50 plus torx bit, one bolt stripped which is currently being a pain to remove. Ie I broke two drill bits off in the hole when I tried to drill out the bolt. Tomorrow I’ll chop up the trans to get the bell housing off.🤷‍♂️

L33 engine

November 2021 I Picked up a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado truck with 351xxx kms and the B vin code for the aluminum L33 engine.

Truck cost me $900 and in time I was able to part out everything with the help of a friend and made all my money back…can’t remember might have made more. Also was able to have the engine and transmission for free…even though the 4l60e was slipping in 3rd gear. Essentially I don’t care because all I want from the transmission is the bell housing so I connect it to a AR 5 transmission from a Chevy Colorado.

May 2022 After parting out the truck the engine and trans were stored outside at a friends shop.

Part Out

Dec 16, 2023

I posted an ad on Marketplace to sell parts as I’m parting out the truck. Some moderate responses and I’ve sold the Engine, tail lights, front bumper, grill, wheels…and a couple other bits. But the truck is taking up too much room in the garage and I need the engine out for payment. Spent the day taking the truck apart and getting it ready for scrap.

It moves!

Nov 24, 2023

I gave up on trying to drain the fuel tank. The pump quit doing anything other than making noise so I figured I would do something a little bit more productive. I bought a new fuel filter, some 3/8 inch fuel hose and connected everything up to the truck’s fuel lines bypassing the tank, including the supply and return lines.

Hooked it up to my trusty redneck, fuel cell, which is a Home Depot bucket with a pump inside plugged into the cigarette lighter socket. I checked for leaks, found none, started it up, and took it for a ride.

Going for a ride
Fuel delivery system. Safety 3rd.

Draining fuel tank – Attempt 1

November 23, 2023

I needed to see if I could drain the fuel tank. I rigged up a hose from the feed line to the engine, and that was draining into a container. I removed the relay for the fuel pump and jumpered the connections to activate the fuel pump permanently without the ignition being on. This worked, but the fuel pump was in rough shape. Barely a trickle was coming out and it was mostly water. It took about 25 minutes for 1 L to trickle out. In total I got around 4 L before the pump stopped transferring anything. I removed the fuel filter to see if that was a restriction and found there was no change. Fuel tank still reads half full, which is approximately 10 gallons or close to 40 L. I’m not sure what I’ll do next but I need to bypass the fuel tank and pump so I can get this thing running in a semi reliable way.

Fuel pump relay junpered with yellow wire
Very little gasoline and a lot of water

Running !!!

November 22, 2023

With the external fuel cell and pump connecter I tried starting it. After a few coughs and sputters the Colorado came to life and was running smoothly. And it only took a few minutes to get everything going. Pretty stoked about this!

Crappy video of the Colorado running on the external pump and gas.

Gasoline or Water?

Nov 22, 2023

Disconnected the fuel lines so I could connect up an external pump and fuel. Noticed the gas that was coming out of the lines was brownish. Thought it might be the container I was using, so I cleaned out the container and try it again. Nope! The gas was filthy and mixed with water. I have never seen anything so bad.

Condition of the fuel that was going to the engine