5.3 head rebuild

[Fishnbob]

So I’ve sent the heads to get done, cleaned all surfaces , and ordered head gasket kit, plugs, plug wires. I’ve inspected the lifters and they look okay except for a couple look slightly worn. I took off the valley cover and looked at the cam, looks good to me. but after some research I think someone already did the AFM/DOD delete on this. All my lifters look exactly the same no different. @TollKeeper , I took this pic from your post and I have no spring on top of my lifter here , only springs are the ones under the rockers that I sent to get rebuilt. Also can I use these new headers from Jegs? My drivers side has a leak and these look good for a replacement. Thanks for all the guidance here and after some research I really see that this DOD is a piece of shit system.

Flowtech 91843: Shorty Headers 2002-2013 Chevy GMC Pickup SUV 4.8L 5.3L 50-State Legal - JEGS

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[Mooseman]

Yes, it has already been deleted, which means it's been tuned if you had no CEL or codes. The valley cover has been replaced with this one which has no solenoids and seals the lifter towers. If all the lifters look like the one in the second pic, then the cam has also been replaced to work with them as the DOD cam would not work with the regular lifters. The first picture shows DOD lifters. Maybe it was half deleted where the DOD lifters and cam were left in place but the valley cover was replaced to disable the system. For that, it still has to have been tuned so you don't get a CEL.

The big question is will it fail a smog test because of the tune?

 

[Fishnbob]

Yes, it has already been deleted, which means it's been tuned if you had no CEL or codes. The valley cover has been replaced with this one which has no solenoids and seals the lifter towers. If all the lifters look like the one in the second pic, then the cam has also been replaced to work with them as the DOD cam would not work with the regular lifters. The first picture shows DOD lifters. Maybe it was half deleted where the DOD lifters and cam were left in place but the valley cover was replaced to disable the system. For that, it still has to have been tuned so you don't get a CEL.

The big question is will it fail a smog test because of the tune?

First pic is from Tollkeepers rebuild so those aren’t my lifters. Thank you so much for the confirmation that this has been deleted. How do I know if it’s been tuned ? I don’t want to start it not knowing and screw up the engine. My thought is to order a tuned pcm from limequat then start it. At takeoff from a dead stop it’s really gutless. Also I average 9mpg around town and freeway.

 

[Mooseman]

Ah. So then yes, it's been deleted. I can't begin to speculate as to the lack of power. If there was no CEL or code related to the DOD, then it's been tuned. Has to be. The PCM would be looking for the solenoids and would throw a code as if they were unplugged.

 

[Fishnbob]

Ah. So then yes, it's been deleted. I can't begin to speculate as to the lack of power. If there was no CEL or code related to the DOD, then it's been tuned. Has to be. The PCM would be looking for the solenoids and would throw a code as if they were unplugged.

No codes and no cel. I’m going to definitely replace the lifters since I’m in there already.

 

[TollKeeper]

I bet it was just tuned out, and the VLOM was replaced.. Like I did on my Saab.

I bet it still has the DOD lifters and cam.

Replace all the DOD lifters with new, and with the system disabled, it should last a good long while.

 

[Fishnbob]

Want to make sure I’m buying what I need. Wonder if someone put a bigger engine like 6.0 in?? How to tell? These are numbers from the block but nothing comes up on google.

 

[Mooseman]

It's should plainly say on the block 5.3L or 6.0L

 

[Fishnbob]

Alright so UPS screwed me and I’m not getting the gasket set. I cancelled cuz I ordered Nov 9th. I got the valve stem seals from Amazon and gave them to the machine shop. Now I’m just gonna order separately because it seems cheaper. Here’s what I’m going to order and just want to make sure I’m gonna get the correct parts. Which head gasket? FelPro says it’s for uneven scratchy surfaces

Intake Manifold gasket
Fel-Pro MS 96587

Valley Pan Gasket
Fel-Pro MS 96169

Head Gasket - Either
1. GM 12589226 or
2. Fel-Pro 26190PT

 

[Fishnbob]

Also I’m not sure about getting exhaust manifold gaskets yet as I may be getting long tube headers. If I want to go performance I want new headers, cam and lifters. Anyone have suggestions on this? Yes I’m in commiefornia but not concerned about that anymore.

 

[Mooseman]

Regular MLS exhaust manifold gaskets work better than the ones that are usually included with headers. Works great on my Caprice.

 

[mrrsm]

Just an FYI... The GM - GMC 5.3L Head Bolts are of the TTY Style... so they should never be re-used. Visit THIS Link at RockAuto for a suitable selection of New Ones:

2002 CHEVROLET TAHOE 5.3L V8 Cylinder Head Bolt | RockAuto

RockAuto ships auto parts and body parts from over 300 manufacturers to customers' doors worldwide, all at warehouse prices. Easy to use parts catalog.

www.rockauto.com

 

[Fishnbob]

Just an FYI... The GM - GMC 5.3L Head Bolts are of the TTY Style... so they should never be re-used. Visit THIS Link at RockAuto for a suitable selection of New Ones:

2002 CHEVROLET TAHOE 5.3L V8 Cylinder Head Bolt | RockAuto

RockAuto ships auto parts and body parts from over 300 manufacturers to customers' doors worldwide, all at warehouse prices. Easy to use parts catalog.

www.rockauto.com

Forgot to say I did read that already and have the new ones in hand along with the torque specs and the torque angle tool