[Realist]

Doing it right.

[TEGGSRB18C1]

Yesterday I get everything put together enough that it would run properly, still have some fitting and loose ends to tie up. Fired her up and let it run for a few minutes to see if it would sort itself out.

Like everytime I run it it seems happier, unfortunately still misfiring at idle BUT only at idle, as soon as throttle is applied all 8 cylinders come to life, let off, starts to stumble.

I think it's a fuel issue still, pressure to be specific. While it was running the fuel pump was really noisy, every once in a while making a strange "errrrrr" noise. I think it's kicked, the sock is probably clogged to boot. So, I think that's going to be my next battle.

Most people lift the bed to get at it. Being that I'm replacing the bed and my garage is kind of tight...I think I'm going to cut an access hole in the bed to swap it. That'll be after the holidays at this point but we're close boys, I can feel this thing wants to run.

[TEGGSRB18C1]

For the past 7 years every Christmas has been Camaro parts, gift cards for Camaro parts, Camaro signs, shirts, etc. 2025 was the Christmas of Silverado. My wife got me these awesome GP Audio battery terminals, if anyone has checked out my Camaro build thread, I'm big into grounds. I'll be following suite on this truck very shortly.

Dad hooked me up on a new front bumper and top cap assembly. Here you see a little preview of all my parts mocked up. I'm going to order all new bumper brackets, give them the battery tray treatment and get this installed. Might run like shit but man that chrome will be shinin'

Also grabbed this photo of both Chevy's running together, I filled the Camaro with Stabil and was letting it run through the system before the goes under the cover till spring. I truck was running for a fuel pressure test. More on that in the next post.

[King Nothing]

Very nice! Out of curiosity, where’d you get the rear SS emblem on your Camaro? It looks like the emblem’s that Berger Chevrolet optioned on their cars, but I could never find a part number for theirs.

[TEGGSRB18C1]

Originally Posted by King Nothing

Very nice! Out of curiosity, where’d you get the rear SS emblem on your Camaro? It looks like the emblem’s that Berger Chevrolet optioned on their cars, but I could never find a part number for theirs.

Thank you! The emblems are from Starks, which is now defunct. Occasionally they pop up on Marketplace. I got my set back in 2018 and it was one of their last polished/white sets.

[TEGGSRB18C1]

So good news! I will not be cutting a hole in the bed! Bad news, I still have no idea why it's misfiring at idle. Instead of guessing, I decided to test the fuel system via the port on the rail. To my surprise, this thing has amazing fuel pressure for an early model return style system. 52-55 key off, 49-51 running, 60 with the vacuum assist pulled off the regulator.

According to the Internet, this is desirable. But Tegg what about the noise you heard coming from the pump? After a bit of research, this is not the fuel pump but the rail itself shaking the lines and causing a remote noise near the tank. Apparently this is pretty commonly misdiagnosed so I don't feel like a complete fool, this issue has no bearing on engine performance. It's just annoying.

Back to square one. Another common issue with these early model 5.3's were faulty intake manifold gaskets causing stumbling issues. I have the whole gasket kit, might as well pop the manifold off, clean it and the heads up. While it's off I'll send the injectors out to be cleaned, there may be an issue there with how nasty that fuel was. Put it all back together and retest.

In the meantime I dicked around with my new terminals. Installed them, made the stupid decision to cut the battery handle in the name of aesthetics and ran my first ground wire to the driver side head, exactly like I did on my Camaro. Most LS heads have an unused bolt hole that is perfect for a ground.

I'll make a few more runs of ground to the frame, rad support and fender. I'll run a power lead right from the alternator to the battery, obviously power will be distributed from there. Should look clean when complete. Busy, but clean.

[King Nothing]

Originally Posted by TEGGSRB18C1

Thank you! The emblems are from Starks, which is now defunct. Occasionally they pop up on Marketplace. I got my set back in 2018 and it was one of their last polished/white sets.

I’ll keep an eye out for them thank you!!

Keep up the good work on the truck!