2015 - 2020 Chevy Suburban 5.3L Torque Specs

2019 Chevy Suburban 5.3L Complete Torque Specs List

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Chevy Suburban 5.3L OHV Repair Information

Chevy Suburban 5.3L OHV Engine Repair Information

Here you can find information regarding the assembly of the Chevy 5.3L OHV engine. In this guide we will start from the inside of the engine including the crankshaft, connecting rods, and piston ring installation and then move outwards all the way to the pulley belt system. Along the way correct procedures and torque specs will be given to aid in the assembly of the engine. Feel free to start from the beggining and work your way outwards or skip ahead to your current position in the engine for what you may need.

Crankshaft Main Caps Installation

Chevy 5.3L engine block
The 5.3L engine block main bearing caps should be inspected for any defects or flaws before installation. Be sure to lubricate the bearing surfaces prior to installation. Once prepared you can place the caps onto the crankshaft and begin tightening the bolts down in a multi stage process. The first being 10 ft-lbs starting from the middle and going outwards. The second time around you can go to 15 ft-lbs and then for the third time you do an additional 80 degree turn for each bolt. The outer studs will need to be tightened down to 15 ft-lbs and then a 53 degree turn. On this engine there are also side bolts which tighten into the bearing caps from the outside of the engine. These bolts will need to be torqued down to 18 ft-lbs. Once finished you should be good to continue with the rest of the engine.

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Main Cap Torque Specs (Inner Bolts): 15 ft-lbs + 80°

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Main Cap Torque Specs (Outer Studs): 15 ft-lbs + 53°

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Main Cap Torque Specs (Side Bolts): 18 ft-lbs

 

Piston and Connecting Rod Installation

Chevy 5.3L OHV piston ring installation
To install the pistons and connecting rods you must first install the piston rings into each piston. Be careful not to stretch the rings or break them during installation. Make sure to put the correct rings in the correct positions, this can be determined by looking at the instructions given with the new rings. Each ring manufacturer is different so be sure to check for your specific rings. Once the rings have been installed you can now fit the connecting rod bearings into the end caps and lube them up with oil or lithium grease. The piston can now be lowered into the cylinder, make sure the dot or mark is facing the front of the engine and that you don't scratch the cylinder. Once installed you can match the connecting rod caps with the correct rods and start to torque the connecting rod bolts to 15 ft-lbs and then an additional 75 degree turn for each bolt. After all are done rotate the crank to ensure all pistons move smoothly in and out of their cylinders and nothing binds.

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Connecting Rod Torque Specs : 15 ft-lbs + 75°

 

Oil Pump Installation

Chevy 5.3L OHV oil pump installation
When installing the oil pump be sure to use the proper sealant around the pump base if neccessary to ensure that oil pressure doesn't drop due to leakage. Both surfaces should be cleaned and preped prior to installing. After preparing the contact surfaces carefully install the oil pump onto front of the engine block right onto the crankshaft. The center of the oil pump should slide onto the crankshaft aligning using the flat ends of the crank and pump inside. The oil pump assembly should be tightened down to the engine block using 18 ft-lbs. The pumps cover bolts can be installed after lubing up the oil pump gear. The oil pump cover bolts torque down to 8 ft-lbs. On the bottom end of the pump the pickup tube can be installed and torqued down to the pump using 8 ft-lbs. Where the pickup tube bolts to the engine block you can tighten down the nuts to 18 ft-lbs.

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Oil Pump Torque Spec : 18 ft-lbs

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Oil Pickup Tube to Pump Torque Spec : 8 ft-lbs

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Oil Pickup Tube to Block Torque Spec : 18 ft-lbs

 

Cylinder Head Installation

Chevy 5.3L OHV cylinder head installation
The first thing you must do when installing cylinder heads is to ensure both the block and head surfaces are completely clean from dust, oil, and any debris. The next thing you must to is to set the camshafts to their correct positions to prevent any valves from hitting pistons during installation and torquing of the head bolts. Much the same you have to set the pistons to their correct locations, typically this means putting the #1 piston to TDC or Top Dead Center. Once everything is ready you can install the head gasket onto the engine block by aligning the alignment dowels. Something I usually do is spray down the head gasket with some engine copper spray from permatex which you can find here, this ensures that any gaps that could be present between the 2 surfaces gets filled with the spray. It also helps to transfer heat between the 2 metals. With the gasket in place you can set the cylinder head onto the gasket and block, if needed have someone assist with this process as the head can be heavy and you don't want to scratch anything or drop it! Once the head has been placed you will want to start installing the head bolts to make sure it doesn't move. Be sure to buy new head bolts as many manufacturers use TTY or Torque to Yield head bolts meaning they stretch during torqueing and cannot be used twice. Also make sure to lubricate the bolts in clean engine oil before installing them into the head. On Chevy OHV engines there is occasionally bolt holes on the engine block that cross into water passages. Any hole that does this should be installed with some silicon sealant. A little goes a long way in this step and you can check holes by shining a flashlight down them and looking in the water jackets. Once all the head bolts have been installed and finger tightened you can start the torqueing process, almost all head bolts have a multi-step process for torqueing. The 5.3L OHV engine uses 2 different sized head bolts being M8's and M11's the larger ones being the M11's. The larger bolts get tightened down to 22 ft-lbs and then a 90 degree turn followed by a 70 degree turn. by going through each bolt during each step. The smaller M8 bolts simply get tightened down to 22 ft-lbs. Be sure to tighten down all the head bolts in a cross patter as this ensures that even torque gets pressed on the head gasket. Be sure to tighten the right bolts to the right specs as this is a critical component of the engines functionality.

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Cylinder Head Torque Specs (M8): 22 ft-lbs
Chevy Suburban 5.3L Cylinder Head Torque Specs (M11): 22 ft-lbs + 90° + 70°

 

Timing Chain and Camshaft Installation

Chevy 5.3L Timing chain installation
On the Chevy 5.3 OHV engine the timing system is ran by the use of a chain. This chain system consists of a sprocket on the single center located camshaft and one sprocket on the engines crankshaft. Since the camshaft is located in the center of the engine it needs to be installed from the front side of the engine. The camshaft bearings get installed using a special cam bearing installation tool. The tool simply presses the bearings in and out of the bearing holes using different sized plates to press on them. Be sure that all of your camshaft bearings are in good condition prior to installing the camshaft and building the engine as this is a critical part of the engine. If all bearings are good and in place the camshaft can be lubed and placed into the engine. It should slide into the bearings with ease, if it gets caught do not force it as you risk damaging the bearings. Simply move the camshaft end around until it slides in. Once all the way into the engine you will need to install the camshaft retaining plate and its bolts. Depending on your specific chevy engine the camshaft retaining plate gets installed impediately after the camshaft is slide into place or after the timing gear has been installed. Depening on how you took apart your engine and the new parts you are installing you will need to adapt accordingly. The retaining plate bolts need to be tightened down to 18 ft-lbs. The camshaft timing sprockets simply slide onto both the crankshaft and the camshaft end. Be sure that you install the system all together with the timing chain marks lined up with the dots on both sprockets. Since there are no tensioners for this system it will only go together like this. On the camshaft side it aligns using a dowel pin that sticks out of the camshaft. There are 3 bolts which hold the camshaft sprocket onto the camshaft. These bolts need to be tightened down to 26 ft-lbs. The crankshaft pulley will hold the crankshaft sprocket into place so no need to tighten any bolts down there.

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Camshaft Sprocket Torque Spec: 26 ft-lbs

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Crankshaft Position Sensor Torque Spec: 8 ft-lbs

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Camshaft Retaining Plate Bolts Torque Spec : 18 ft-lbs

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Rocker Arms Torque Spec : 22 ft-lbs

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Valve Lifter Retainer Torque Spec : 8 ft-lbs

 

Timing Cover Installation

Chevy 5.3L Timing cover installation
The timing cover on the 5.3L is used to cover up the internals of the engine and hold in massive amounts of oil. For this reason I recommend using some silicon sealant along with a new gasket during installation. Be sure to clean all of the metal surfaces prior to installation and placing the silicon onto the metal. With everything ready to install be sure to double check your timing and engine internals before placing the cover in place. Another tip is to lube up the crankshaft seal with some oil so it seats better. If everything is good to go then place the cover onto the engine block and begin to tighten down the bolts hand tight. Once all of the bolts have been set in place be sure to follow your sealants instructions by waiting the recommended time. Once ready the timing cover bolts can be tightened down to 18 ft-lbs. Be sure to not overtighten these bolts as it can be easy to do so.

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Timing Cover Torque Specs : 18 ft-lbs

 

Oil Pan Installation

Chevy 5.3L Oil Pan installation
Much like the timing cover on the 5.3L the oil pan plays an important role in keeping the engine oil inside the engine. For this reason I recommend using a new gasket as well as some silicone sealant during installation. Using the same technique as before with the cover you clean the surfaces of both the oil pan and the engine block and then install the new gasket onto the block and then follow it up with some silicone sealant. Be sure to follow your sealants instructions to ensure you get the best seal from your application. Before installing the oil pan be sure that the oil pan baffle and oil pump have been installed correctly. The oil pan on this engine uses 2 different sized bolts being M8's and M6's. The M8's are the larger bolts and will need to be torqued down to 18 ft-lbs in a cross pattern design. The M6 bolts can be torqued down to 8 ft-lbs in a similar cross pattern. Along with the pan is the oil pan drain plug, this gets removed and reinstalled quite frequently and can be torqued down to 18 ft-lbs.

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Oil Pan Torque Specs (M8): 18 ft-lbs

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Oil Pan Torque Specs (M6): 8 ft-lbs

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Oil Drain Plug Torque Specs : 18 ft-lbs
Chevy Suburban 5.3L Oil Pan Baffle Torque Specs : 10 ft-lbs
Chevy Suburban 5.3L Oil Pan Closeout Cover Torque Specs : 8 ft-lbs

 

Valve Covers Installation

Chevy 5.3L Valve Cover installation
The valve cover installation is rather simple, there are rubber seals for each bolt hole and a silicone gasket that prevents oil from leaking out of the engine. It is recommended to replace both the seals and the gaskets although if they are in good condition you can reuse them. If you do choose to reuse them I would use some silicone sealant along with the silicon gasket to ensure it does not leak. The valve cover bolts torque down to 106 in-lbs or about 8 ft-lbs in a criss cross order. Be sure not to miss any bolts to avoid having oil leak out onto the exhaust pipes and cause a lot of smoking.

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Valve Cover Torque Specs : 8 ft-lbs

 

Intake Manifold and Fuel Rail Installation

Chevy 5.3L Intake Manifold installation
When installing the intake manifold you want to make sure you have all the surfaces as well as intake holes cleaned out before placing the manifold into position. Once cleaned you can then place the intake manifold gaskets onto the alignment pins. If you want you can also use a little bit of sealant on the gaskets to help ensure there are no leaks. With the gaskets in place you can now put the manifold down onto the gaskets and begin to install the bolts. The intake manifold bolts torque to 8 ft-lbs and can be tightened in a cross pattern. The ignition coil module can be tightened down to 8 ft-lbs and the spark plugs themselves can be torqued down to 15 ft-lbs, be careful not to overtorque these as they can snap and cause big problems. When installing the throttle body make sure that all of the gaskets are in good condition and will hold a seal as you do not want to be leaking gas fumes around the engine. If everything looks good you can tighten the throttle body bolts down to 8 ft-lbs.

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Intake Manifold Torque Specs : 8 ft-lbs

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Ignition Coil Module Torque Specs : 8 ft-lbs

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Spark Plug Torque Specs : 15 ft-lbs

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Throttle Body Torque Specs : 8 ft-lbs

 

Exhaust Manifold Installation

Chevy 5.3L Exhaust Manifold installation
The exhaust manifold can be installed by cleaning the surface areas on both the head an the manifold itself and then by using the exhaust manifold gasket and putting it in place. Once the gasket is in its location you can put the manifold onto the heads and begin to torque it down to 18 ft-lbs. I always use some copper spray from permatex on the exhaust manifold gaskets to ensure I do not end up with any exhaust leaks once done. When you go to install the engine into the vehicle or if it is already in the vehicle the torque specs for the exhaust manifold to the exhaust pipes or catalytic converter is 26 ft-lbs. The EGR system consists of a series of pipes that range from the manifold to the head. The EGR pipes can be torqued down to 22 ft-lbs.

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Exhaust Manifold Torque Spec : 18 ft-lbs

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Exhaust Pipe Torque Specs : 26 ft-lbs

Chevy Suburban 5.3L EGR Pipes Torque Specs : 22 ft-lbs

 

Water Pump and Thermostat Installation

Chevy 5.3L Water Pump installation
The water pump on the Chevy 5.3L engine should be installed by using a new gasket and if desired some silicone sealant to help prevent leaks. Be sure to clean both metal surfaces prior to installing the pump. Once prepared the pump can be moved into placed and then the corresponding brackets can be put into place. The water pump bolts go through the brackets and then through the water pump into the engine. The water pump bolts should be torqued to 22 ft-lbs. The water pump on this engine also consists of a cover that will need to be torqued down to 11 ft-lbs.

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Water Pump Torque Specs : 22 ft-lbs

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Water Pump Cover Torque Specs : 11 ft-lbs

 

Front Dress and Pulley belt Installation

Chevy 5.3L Pulley and Belt installation
Most of what is left on the engine is just place and tighten objects such as the belt pulleys, belt tensioner, throttle body, oil filter neck, crankshaft pulley, and motor mounts. If the items have a gasket and hold either oil or coolant inside the engine then feel free to add some sealant along with the gasket. Always be sure to inspect your gaskets and replace them if there is any deteriation or flaws with them. For the belt system the crankshaft pulley gets torqued to 37 ft-lbs and then a 140 degree turn. The belt tensioner can be tightened to 37 ft-lbs and the idler pulley can also be torqued down to 37 ft-lbs. When installing be sure they both turn smoothly and if they do not then replace them with new ones as the bearings can go bad. The engine motor mount can be installed onto the engine block if it hasn't been already, the torques for the mount to the block is 37 ft-lbs and then when installing the mount to the vehicle or frame it can be torqued to 59 ft-lbs. Finally the throttle body can be installed on top of the intake manifold with a good gasket and some added sealant using 7 ft-lbs in a criss cross pattern. For installing the belt you can use a tool to move the tensioner into its springed state and install the belt as shown in the picture. The power steering pump and its pulley should be tightened down to 18 ft-lbs. The alternator has 2 different brackets which hold itself to the engine. The rear brackets can be torqued down to 18 ft-lbs while the front bracket can be torqued down to 37 ft-lbs. The Air Conditioner Compressor can be torque down to the engine using 37 ft-lbs.

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Crankshaft Pulley Torque Specs : 37 ft-lbs + 140°

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Idler Pulley Bolt Torque Spec : 37 ft-lbs

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Belt Tensioner Torque Specs : 37 ft-lbs

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Motor Mount to Engine Torque Specs : 37 ft-lbs

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Motor Mount to Frame Torque Specs : 59 ft-lbs

Chevy Suburban 5.3L Power Steering Pump Torque Specs : 18 ft-lbs
Chevy Suburban 5.3L Power Steering Pulley Torque Specs : 18 ft-lbs
Chevy Suburban 5.3L Alternator Bracket Torque Specs : 37 ft-lbs
Chevy Suburban 5.3L Alternator Rear Bracket Torque Specs : 18 ft-lbs
Chevy Suburban 5.3L A/C Compressor Torque Specs : 37 ft-lbs

 


Timing Torque Specs
Timing Cover Torque spec 18 ft-lbs
Camshaft Timing Sprocket Torque Specs 26 ft-lbs
Camshaft Retaining Plate Bolts Torque spec 18 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Postition Sensor Torque spec 8 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head Torque Specs
Cylinder Head Torque Specs (M8) 22 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head Torque Specs (M11) 22 ft-lbs + 90° + 70°
Rocker Arm Torque specs 22 ft-lbs
Valve Lifter Retainer Torque specs 8 ft-lbs
Valve Cover Torque specs 8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold Torque specs 18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Pipe Torque 26 ft-lbs
EGR Pipe Torque Specs 22 ft-lbs
Bottom End Torque's
Main Cap Bolts Torque Spec (Inner Bolts) 15 ft-lbs + 80°
Main Cap Bolts Torque Spec (Outer Studs) 15 ft-lbs + 53°
Main Cap Bolts Torque Spec (Side Bolts) 18 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod Bolts Torque Spec 15 ft-lbs + 75°
Oil Pump Bolt Torque Spec 18 ft-lbs
Oil Pump Pickup Tube Torque Spec 8 ft-lbs
Oil Pickup Tube to Block Torque Spec 18 ft-lbs
Oil Pan Bolt Torque Specs (M8) 18 ft-lbs
Oil Pan Bolt Torque Specs (M6) 8 ft-lbs
Oil Pan Drain Plug Torque Spec 18 ft-lbs
Oil Pan Baffle Torque Spec 10 ft-lbs
Oil Pan Closeout Cover Torque Spec 8 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold and Fuel Rail Torque Spec
Intake Manifold 8 ft-lbs
Fuel Rail Torque Specs 8 ft-lbs
Spark Plugs Torque Specs 15 ft-lbs
Throttle Body Torque Specs 8 ft-lbs
Ignition Coil Module Torque Spec 8 ft-lbs
Water Pump & Pulley Torque Specs
Water Pump Torque Specs 22 ft-lbs
Water Pump Cover Torque Specs 11 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley Torque Spec 37 ft-lbs + 140°
Belt Tensioner Torque Spec 37 ft-lbs
Belt Idler Pulley Torque Spec 37 ft-lbs
Motor Mount (Engine Side) Torque 37 ft-lbs
Motor Mount (Frame Side) Torque 59 ft-lbs
Power Steering Pump Torque Spec 18 ft-lbs
Power Steering Pump Pulley Torque Spec 18 ft-lbs
Alternator Front Bracket Torque Spec 37 ft-lbs
Alternator Rear Bracket Torque Spec 18 ft-lbs
A/C Compressor Torque Spec 37 ft-lbs