HI Everybody,
I just picked up a 99 suburban with 202k miles on it that I'm 99% sure has the intake gasket problems that these vortec 350's are famous for. The previous owner (who I know well and has owned the suburban since 02 when he got it with 50k miles on it) said that it started overheating and when he poped the hood there was a lot of antifreeze coming down the passenger side valve cover. From what I can tell the quick disconnect heater hose is not leaking so I'm suspecting that it's the intake gasket (he says he's never replaced it so at 202k miles it's well over due to be replaced! I'm thinking I got lucky and the antifreeze never made it into the cylinders as the oil still looks perfect!
I'm currently making my list of other things to replace while I'm pulling it apart since he's done very little to it other than normal maintanence in the 202k miles (oil changes every 5k with convential oil). Most things I'm pretty straight on, however I was debating replacing the lifters while I have the lower intake plenium off since I'll pretty much already be down to them. I was wondering what your guys opinion is on if they should be replaced are not with 202k miles on them. I was also wondering what brand lifters you guys would recommend for this motor. The only ones I've really found so far have been the sealed performance from Advance Auto Parts. I was also wondering if I should replace anything else relating to the valve train (rockers, retaining nuts, pushrods, cam, etc...). This engine was running fine up to the point it started overheating and spitting out antifreeze so anything I'm replacing is strictly because of the 202k miles and not because of problems.
I'm also going to go ahead and upgrade the fuel system with the newer MPFI setup linked below to hopefully avoid fueling problems in the future.
http://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-217-3029-O...vortec+350+mpfi
I'm definitely replacing the following additional parts (is there anything else that you guys would replace as preventive maintanence that's easier while I'm pulling the intake manifold)?
-Distributor Cap
-Distributor Roter
-spark plugs
-spark plug wires
-upper and lower radiator hoses as well as all heater hoses
I was also curious on your guys opinion on how long the transmission might last, I know the 4l60e isn't the strongest transmission in the world and this one has never been touched except for regular flushes. I'm definitely going to drop the pan and replace the filter very shortly after I get the suburban back on the road! Is there anything else I should look out for?
Thanks for any information you guys can give me!
I just picked up a 99 suburban with 202k miles on it that I'm 99% sure has the intake gasket problems that these vortec 350's are famous for. The previous owner (who I know well and has owned the suburban since 02 when he got it with 50k miles on it) said that it started overheating and when he poped the hood there was a lot of antifreeze coming down the passenger side valve cover. From what I can tell the quick disconnect heater hose is not leaking so I'm suspecting that it's the intake gasket (he says he's never replaced it so at 202k miles it's well over due to be replaced! I'm thinking I got lucky and the antifreeze never made it into the cylinders as the oil still looks perfect!
I'm currently making my list of other things to replace while I'm pulling it apart since he's done very little to it other than normal maintanence in the 202k miles (oil changes every 5k with convential oil). Most things I'm pretty straight on, however I was debating replacing the lifters while I have the lower intake plenium off since I'll pretty much already be down to them. I was wondering what your guys opinion is on if they should be replaced are not with 202k miles on them. I was also wondering what brand lifters you guys would recommend for this motor. The only ones I've really found so far have been the sealed performance from Advance Auto Parts. I was also wondering if I should replace anything else relating to the valve train (rockers, retaining nuts, pushrods, cam, etc...). This engine was running fine up to the point it started overheating and spitting out antifreeze so anything I'm replacing is strictly because of the 202k miles and not because of problems.
I'm also going to go ahead and upgrade the fuel system with the newer MPFI setup linked below to hopefully avoid fueling problems in the future.
http://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-217-3029-O...vortec+350+mpfi
I'm definitely replacing the following additional parts (is there anything else that you guys would replace as preventive maintanence that's easier while I'm pulling the intake manifold)?
-Distributor Cap
-Distributor Roter
-spark plugs
-spark plug wires
-upper and lower radiator hoses as well as all heater hoses
I was also curious on your guys opinion on how long the transmission might last, I know the 4l60e isn't the strongest transmission in the world and this one has never been touched except for regular flushes. I'm definitely going to drop the pan and replace the filter very shortly after I get the suburban back on the road! Is there anything else I should look out for?
Thanks for any information you guys can give me!