5.3 sitting for about 8 yrs - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Normy71 · 01-14-2017, 10:48 AM

My project has been sitting for years in a heated shop covered up.
What should I do when it comes time to try to fire this up? I will remove the spark plugs shoot some oil down the cyl make sure I can move the crank by hand, take injectors out and clean them.
Engine is. 2006 5.3

e015475 · 01-14-2017, 11:34 AM

I'm assuming this is a used motor?

If the motor has been sitting a while with residual fuel in the rails/injectors, I pull the injectors and take them to be cleaned an flowed. In a pinch I've filled them with Seafoam and let them soak a few days and sprayed them out with carb cleaner, change out the o-rings and reinstall them.

There's no easy way to prime an LS oil system, but I've taken the plugs out and disconnected the coils and turned it over on the starter till I can see some oil pressure, then button things up and run it. I assume you'll have changed the oil and filter before you attempt to start it.

If you have the pan off before you install it, I'd check the pickup screen and replace the o-ring at the pump with the latest and greatest from the GM dealer.

All in all, the LS motors are pretty robust - I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Normy71 · 01-14-2017, 11:39 AM

Thanks!
I'm still a ways away from start up.
It's hooked up to the transmission so I guess I should plumb in the tranny lines before I attempt to start it?

Big Port Jimmy 6 · 01-14-2017, 05:23 PM

This is worth a look. http://ls1tech.com/forums/tools-fabr...nder-20-a.html

Normy71 · 01-14-2017, 05:50 PM

Worth a try!
Thanks

homemade87 · 01-15-2017, 10:14 AM

I use a 1 gal garden sprayer to prime my engines . The plug on the front drivers side down low is a oil port that I adapt the hose to . This wets the whole system . I put about 3 quarts in the sprayer and pump it up and in about 20 minutes I have oil coming out the push rods . While doing this I also rotate the engine by hand a couple times . Never had satisfactory results with cranking on the started to get it primed . Also I don't like winding on the starter that much . This cost me about $15.00 .

65Gregg · 01-15-2017, 10:39 AM

^^^^this is what I did also, I pumped until all of the pushrods had oil coming out of them

Normy71 · 01-15-2017, 11:03 AM

I will do this for sure!
Thanks

binford · 01-20-2017, 02:59 PM

Good tip on the oil port and using a bug sprayer for priming.

01-14-2017, 10:48 AM	#1
Normy71 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 236	5.3 sitting for about 8 yrs My project has been sitting for years in a heated shop covered up. What should I do when it comes time to try to fire this up? I will remove the spark plugs shoot some oil down the cyl make sure I can move the crank by hand, take injectors out and clean them. Engine is. 2006 5.3 __________________ Rolled the dice and lost!! Check Out my 71 build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=375158

01-14-2017, 11:34 AM	#2
e015475 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Show Low, Arizona Posts: 778	Re: 5.3 sitting for about 8 yrs I'm assuming this is a used motor? If the motor has been sitting a while with residual fuel in the rails/injectors, I pull the injectors and take them to be cleaned an flowed. In a pinch I've filled them with Seafoam and let them soak a few days and sprayed them out with carb cleaner, change out the o-rings and reinstall them. There's no easy way to prime an LS oil system, but I've taken the plugs out and disconnected the coils and turned it over on the starter till I can see some oil pressure, then button things up and run it. I assume you'll have changed the oil and filter before you attempt to start it. If you have the pan off before you install it, I'd check the pickup screen and replace the o-ring at the pump with the latest and greatest from the GM dealer. All in all, the LS motors are pretty robust - I wouldn't worry about it too much.

01-14-2017, 11:39 AM	#3
Normy71 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 236	Re: 5.3 sitting for about 8 yrs Thanks! I'm still a ways away from start up. It's hooked up to the transmission so I guess I should plumb in the tranny lines before I attempt to start it? __________________ Rolled the dice and lost!! Check Out my 71 build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=375158

01-14-2017, 05:23 PM	#4
Big Port Jimmy 6 Addicted to Rust Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Abbeville SC Posts: 1,030	Re: 5.3 sitting for about 8 yrs This is worth a look. http://ls1tech.com/forums/tools-fabr...nder-20-a.html __________________ Current trucks: (48 GMC100 320 inliner) Gone (48 Suburban in pieces) Sold 87 GMC CCSB 5.3 4l60E Daily Driver ECTA National record holder XO/PP We never really grow up, we just learn how to act in public.

01-14-2017, 05:50 PM	#5
Normy71 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 236	Re: 5.3 sitting for about 8 yrs Worth a try! Thanks __________________ Rolled the dice and lost!! Check Out my 71 build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=375158

01-15-2017, 10:14 AM	#6
homemade87 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Guntersville Alabama Posts: 1,073	Re: 5.3 sitting for about 8 yrs I use a 1 gal garden sprayer to prime my engines . The plug on the front drivers side down low is a oil port that I adapt the hose to . This wets the whole system . I put about 3 quarts in the sprayer and pump it up and in about 20 minutes I have oil coming out the push rods . While doing this I also rotate the engine by hand a couple times . Never had satisfactory results with cranking on the started to get it primed . Also I don't like winding on the starter that much . This cost me about $15.00 .

01-15-2017, 10:39 AM	#7
65Gregg Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Willis, Texas Posts: 754	Re: 5.3 sitting for about 8 yrs ^^^^this is what I did also, I pumped until all of the pushrods had oil coming out of them __________________ 65Gregg Blue long bed White TBSS 61 Impala “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” Mark Twain

01-15-2017, 11:03 AM	#8
Normy71 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 236	Re: 5.3 sitting for about 8 yrs I will do this for sure! Thanks __________________ Rolled the dice and lost!! Check Out my 71 build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=375158

01-20-2017, 02:59 PM	#9
binford Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Sacramento Ca Posts: 126	Re: 5.3 sitting for about 8 yrs Good tip on the oil port and using a bug sprayer for priming.

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