Oakley's History Lesson and Build Thread
07-07-2013, 07:36 PM
#52
Thanks man! I'm sticking with the same converter. If I end up switching cams, the stall speed will be low but I can deal with it. I made some progress today but only got to work for a couple hours. I removed the valvetrain, both heads, valley cover ect. Heads and intake are for sale in the classifieds if anyone is interested.
07-20-2013, 05:13 PM
#54
So after tearing down the 408 I decided to hold off on rebuilding it. With the plans I had for it, I could spend the same money and make more power if I went with a junkyard boost motor. I thought I would switch it up a bit since this truck has only had N/A motors in it so far. I found a good used 4.8L here in town and picked it up today. Its from an 03 Tahoe with 85K miles on it. My goal is to blow it up, so I no longer am worried about hurting all the expensive internals in the 408. Once I get the 4.8L running good, I will rebuild the 408 with dished pistons and good heads. That way I have a good back up boost motor when I throw a rod out of the block 
Anyway, here is the 4.8L from the junkyard.
I am going to start tearing it down to the shortblock for cleaning and some goodies. I ordered all my parts for it yesterday so I should be able to get it back together and ready to go in my truck by next weekend. Parts I ordered:
NNBS Intake
Isky Triple 12
Isky 165A valve springs
LS9 head gaskets
ARP head studs
LS2 timing chain
Truck water pump
I hate not driving my truck and it has been down all summer. So when the 4.8L is back together I will drop it in ASAP. Driving the truck N/A with that tiny motor is going to suck but at least it will be driving. When the funds are available, I will contact someone about a turbo kit.
Anyway, here is the 4.8L from the junkyard.
I am going to start tearing it down to the shortblock for cleaning and some goodies. I ordered all my parts for it yesterday so I should be able to get it back together and ready to go in my truck by next weekend. Parts I ordered:
NNBS Intake
Isky Triple 12
Isky 165A valve springs
LS9 head gaskets
ARP head studs
LS2 timing chain
Truck water pump
I hate not driving my truck and it has been down all summer. So when the 4.8L is back together I will drop it in ASAP. Driving the truck N/A with that tiny motor is going to suck but at least it will be driving. When the funds are available, I will contact someone about a turbo kit.
07-20-2013, 08:22 PM
#56
I decided to go back to the shop and work on it for a couple hours. Got the top end off and I'm very pleased with the engine. It is very clean inside. Cylinder walls look perfect, pistons look great, heads were perfect, and it turns over super easy. The pictures don't do it justice. Now its a waiting game for parts to arrive!
07-21-2013, 08:37 PM
#59
LS6 valley covers work on the 4.8L/5.3L block btw if anyone is looking to use one 
Today I rented an OEM crank pulley remover and pulled that off. For some reason, everytime I do it, it is a damn nightmare. The kit needs to come with a longer bolt. Anyways, I dropped the pan, front timing cover, removed the oil pump, timing gear, and cam. Everything looks great and I'm pretty happy with this engine. I also pulled the springs out of the heads for the Isky springs. Jarrett said it would take 5 days for the flute to be ground so I'll be sitting on my thumb till then. I'm excited to get this back together and running!
Today I rented an OEM crank pulley remover and pulled that off. For some reason, everytime I do it, it is a damn nightmare. The kit needs to come with a longer bolt. Anyways, I dropped the pan, front timing cover, removed the oil pump, timing gear, and cam. Everything looks great and I'm pretty happy with this engine. I also pulled the springs out of the heads for the Isky springs. Jarrett said it would take 5 days for the flute to be ground so I'll be sitting on my thumb till then. I'm excited to get this back together and running!
