billymac needs a garage

how many people think billy mac needs a garage? and would use him? i would for one. but it would have to be a paying bussiness. but being his . hes the boss. next whats the labor rate? and what do you do for services? im looking at least 3-4 people. for good service. to start.

If I needed something done that I couldn't do, I would go to Bill. I know Bill has the time right now, but he probably could start out part time. I would also say to find a little niche, where he specializes.

Now that I think of it, there was a mechanic in my town, who worked out of a van and made house calls. He called himself "The Rolling Mechanic". He was successful and did it for many years. Now he has a garage.

Tom

I dont know him, but if he's the guy that did the rockers on Big Ugly it looks like he definitely knows his stuff! I do need a radiator support welded up in a 99 F150, maybe he can do it!? If you read this PM me! I have the rad support!

I would think with the economy and car sales down, it would be a good a good business to start. There's a lot of people who live in that area also. Come to think of it the Wife's 2000 4X4 Suburban LT needs to be diagnosed. It's got the 5.3 gen III. After I bought it, it developed a knocking noise @ a cold start, then slowly subsides over 2-3 min. time. I don't think it is the main bearings, connecting rods or wrist pin bearings. I'm thinking it is the cam shaft bearings and could be changed out if I put a new cam and lifters in it, what do you guys think?

Tomz9C1 wrote:

I would think with the economy and car sales down, it would be a good a good business to start. There's a lot of people who live in that area also. Come to think of it the Wife's 2000 4X4 Suburban LT needs to be diagnosed. It's got the 5.3 gen III. After I bought it, it developed a knocking noise @ a cold start, then slowly subsides over 2-3 min. time. I don't think it is the main bearings, connecting rods or wrist pin bearings. I'm thinking it is the cam shaft bearings and could be changed out if I put a new cam and lifters in it, what do you guys think?

It is most likely piston slap.

It is most likely piston slap.[/quote]
Is that common in the 5.3?

Thanks for the vote of confidence guys. I wish I had a garage. I would love to mod for money. I enjoy doing it so much, but it would be cool to make a living with it. Or at least extra income.

As for that 5.3, there is an inherant noise in the LSX motors, just like the infamos LT1 tick. But based on what you mention, I would say piston slap is possible. But if it was a failing bearing, I do not think the noise would go away after 2-3 minutes.
Sounds like the timing could be off? Who knows. When it is making the noise , can you rev the engine? Does it feel like it has less power. If it was a cam, main, rod bearing or wrist pin was bad, the Knock sensors should pick up the sound and retard the engine. They are for engine knock, but they can pick up other noises as well. Check the oil pressure also.

I bet it is lifter chatter. My 03 6.0 did that. And the more I think about it, the more it seems to be this.

Want to come lash my valves for me?

id second lifter chatter be for piston slap, my dads 5.3 does it

What would I need for a basic tune-up for the 5.3? I'm thinking: plugs, wires, O2 sensors? does the thing have a distributor? I hope I hav'nt hijacked this thread..?