Need advice on pulling a 5.3 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bigmoe · 10-18-2020, 05:21 PM

I just rolled a wrecked low mileage 2005 GMC Yukon 4wd into my shop to pull the 5.3 that I have sold to a guy. He wants to salvage the engine wiring harness to have it reworked for a swap. Any advice on where to cut it? I found the TAC module for the dbw pedal and will get that and the wiring. I see the ECM and have it loose, Where is the TCM, I don't see it? Should I remove the engine harness before pulling the motor or is it possible to stack it on top, disconnect the o2's and trans and pull the motor that way? I know the upper bell housing bolts can be a ***** and I was thinking about cutting the tunnel to get at them and avoid having to remove the intake. Appreciate any advice.

ls1nova71 · 10-18-2020, 06:05 PM

No TCM on an '05. I would unhook the wiring harness from under the big under hood fuse box, then lay it on top of the engine. If the truck is wrecked, a sawzall on the front fenders will make it a lot easier.

bigmoe · 10-18-2020, 06:24 PM

Okay. Thanks.

Also I just unbolted the gas pedal and got the wire out that goes to the TAC and removed the TAC. There is a big rubber covered ?cable coming out of the gas pedal assembly and I can't tell where it goes and I don't see it on the engine side.

ls1nova71 · 10-18-2020, 09:01 PM

That's for the adjustable pedals, they're pretty much useless in a swap. You can cut and weld the pedal to fit whatever its going into, but some people don't like to fab stuff. As for the cable, I would just cut it off.

bigmoe · 10-20-2020, 04:27 PM

I cut the tunnel for access to the bell housing bolts and wiring harness attachments. I cannot imagine trying to do this any other way. If I couldn't cut the tunnel I'd probably pull engine and trans together.

kipps · 10-20-2020, 06:41 PM

I ripped out the radiator support first, and pulled the engine and trans out together. I removed the transfer case, the sway bar, and all sensitive bits from the engine before pulling it. Of course, I was pulling with a skid loader, so I knew things could get a little rough.

skyphix · 10-21-2020, 02:00 PM

I pulled my 5.3 out of my 06 Yukon and left the trans in.

Pulled everything off the front, including the radiator support.
Pulled the inner fender liners
Disconnected all electrical connections
Unbolted the exhaust manifolds
Cut away the AC components
Pulled the accessory mounts off the front
Pulled the intake
Dropped the front driveshaft out of the way
Pulled the starter and pulled the torque converter bolts through the access hole
Combination of extensions and swivels to remove the bell housing bolts - some from the top using combo wrenches, some from the bottom with deep well sockets and swivels and extensions
Snapped off the red loc-tited engine mount bolts (mount to frame, not engine to mount)
Put a jack under the trans pan
Hooked up my engine hoist and pulled the engine up a little, and then forward
Then used a ratchet strap to hold the trans up for when the wrecker came to take it to the junkyard.

All of this was done in my driveway, some in the snow, and it was my first time pulling an engine out of these. The next one I do will go a LOT faster.

10-18-2020, 05:21 PM	#1
bigmoe Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Brandon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 995	Need advice on pulling a 5.3 I just rolled a wrecked low mileage 2005 GMC Yukon 4wd into my shop to pull the 5.3 that I have sold to a guy. He wants to salvage the engine wiring harness to have it reworked for a swap. Any advice on where to cut it? I found the TAC module for the dbw pedal and will get that and the wiring. I see the ECM and have it loose, Where is the TCM, I don't see it? Should I remove the engine harness before pulling the motor or is it possible to stack it on top, disconnect the o2's and trans and pull the motor that way? I know the upper bell housing bolts can be a ***** and I was thinking about cutting the tunnel to get at them and avoid having to remove the intake. Appreciate any advice.

10-18-2020, 06:05 PM	#2
ls1nova71 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Independence Mo Posts: 4,119	Re: Need advice on pulling a 5.3 No TCM on an '05. I would unhook the wiring harness from under the big under hood fuse box, then lay it on top of the engine. If the truck is wrecked, a sawzall on the front fenders will make it a lot easier. __________________ My '72 short bed build. http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/conver...6-0-4l80e.html 5.3 swap into my RUSTY '71 C10 http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversion...71-c-10-a.html

10-18-2020, 06:24 PM	#3
bigmoe Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Brandon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 995	Re: Need advice on pulling a 5.3 Okay. Thanks. Also I just unbolted the gas pedal and got the wire out that goes to the TAC and removed the TAC. There is a big rubber covered ?cable coming out of the gas pedal assembly and I can't tell where it goes and I don't see it on the engine side. Attached Images Last edited by bigmoe; 10-18-2020 at 06:36 PM.

10-18-2020, 09:01 PM	#4
ls1nova71 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Independence Mo Posts: 4,119	Re: Need advice on pulling a 5.3 That's for the adjustable pedals, they're pretty much useless in a swap. You can cut and weld the pedal to fit whatever its going into, but some people don't like to fab stuff. As for the cable, I would just cut it off. __________________ My '72 short bed build. http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/conver...6-0-4l80e.html 5.3 swap into my RUSTY '71 C10 http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversion...71-c-10-a.html

10-20-2020, 04:27 PM	#5
bigmoe Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Brandon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 995	Re: Need advice on pulling a 5.3 I cut the tunnel for access to the bell housing bolts and wiring harness attachments. I cannot imagine trying to do this any other way. If I couldn't cut the tunnel I'd probably pull engine and trans together. Attached Images

10-20-2020, 06:41 PM	#6
kipps Registered User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: North-central Virginia Posts: 1,104	Re: Need advice on pulling a 5.3 I ripped out the radiator support first, and pulled the engine and trans out together. I removed the transfer case, the sway bar, and all sensitive bits from the engine before pulling it. Of course, I was pulling with a skid loader, so I knew things could get a little rough. __________________ 1987 C6P V20 truck, 2010 LMG 5.3, AFM delete, 2010 Camaro exhaust manifolds, 1997 nv4500, 1991 np241c, hydroboost, 2005 14bff axle & driveshaft, drop-n-lock gooseneck, 4.10 gears, stock suspension, rims, and tires. Still a work in progress. Any questions or suggestions are welcome!

10-21-2020, 02:00 PM	#7
skyphix Registered User Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Hampden, ME Posts: 408	Re: Need advice on pulling a 5.3 I pulled my 5.3 out of my 06 Yukon and left the trans in. Pulled everything off the front, including the radiator support. Pulled the inner fender liners Disconnected all electrical connections Unbolted the exhaust manifolds Cut away the AC components Pulled the accessory mounts off the front Pulled the intake Dropped the front driveshaft out of the way Pulled the starter and pulled the torque converter bolts through the access hole Combination of extensions and swivels to remove the bell housing bolts - some from the top using combo wrenches, some from the bottom with deep well sockets and swivels and extensions Snapped off the red loc-tited engine mount bolts (mount to frame, not engine to mount) Put a jack under the trans pan Hooked up my engine hoist and pulled the engine up a little, and then forward Then used a ratchet strap to hold the trans up for when the wrecker came to take it to the junkyard. All of this was done in my driveway, some in the snow, and it was my first time pulling an engine out of these. The next one I do will go a LOT faster. __________________ Eric 1980 C10 SWB 2003 Chevy Suburban 2500 LT



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