2013 Chevy Silverado 5.3L Backwards Headers
Hello,
I have a dilemma here. In short, I pulled out the motor of my 2013 Chevy Silverado. A 5.3L flex. Took it out to drop off at the machine shop to get reworked and cleaned after a cam and lifter failure (the usual AFM issue). Recently, they finished the work, I picked up, and started to put back into the truck. Did all the inspections I could think of to confirm everything was good. But missed one detail... One detail that should've been two things wrong. It happens.
After getting everything installed back onto the motor and preparing for installing the radiators... I have discovered the headers are backwards FROM THE shop. Only discovered it because the Engine Coolant Crossover pipe that I forgot about during initial checks is now in the back... It's supposed to be in the front. The shop flipped the headers on me. Furthermore, it doesn't fit in the back as it interferes with nearly everything back there.
Question:
Does anyone know for certain if I can modify my crossover and balance the system in the same manner? If I could even modify all the other parts to permit the necessary radiator tube to run over top the motor to connect to it now?
Photo 1: original during motor pull out.
Photo 2/3: current situation. Ports for coolant crossover are in the back instead of the front.
Photo 4: coolant crossover pipe.
At this time:
I'm just drinking to calm my anger. Researching solutions, though this is new to me, while prepared to work out something with the shop and do the rework myself.
No need to read, but venting for sanity:
Such a frustrating find. To have headers so symmetrical in so many ways... Only to realize one detail was overlooked on my part. BUT, BUT, BUT... The shop had to have known it was on backwards. Or mistakenly installed a sensor in the wrong header which caused the flip flop. There were only two tells of which was driver versus passenger side with the headers... And I only checked the one I recalled. Which was to spot sensor plug. Ah!!!