2001 5.3 ls

[tetfemal]

So I stumbled across a 2001 5.3 LS Motor with 220k miles on it for sale. The seller was asking $600.00 about a month ago and now has dropped the price down to $350.00. Should I roll the dice a buy it?

"Pulled from a running Chevy K1500. 220k miles. Truck was in an accident. I removed all the broken exhaust bolts from the heads already."

[special-K]

Thread about an LS engine. Not relating to 67-72 trucks.

[Killer Bee]

ecm, sensors, harness, etc. too?

my '02 knock sensors went around 140k.. easy job while it's out, 4hr job in the driveway under the hood..





get the new grommets and harnesses.. I applied some rtv to the wireway hole and lightly around the edges..



no long after, started drinking coolant, eventually a gallon/week..

both heads cracked in the usual location so with my pricing, opted for a new motor with updated heads..



if it was me, roll that motor over and check the lower end and proceed accordingly from the bottom up..

I've been real happy with the power of that little motor with only minor airflow upgrades..

4.56 eaton posi to offset the tire size and she'll tow anything anywhere

[truckster]

Even though the LS has a reputation for long life, at that mileage I would consider a complete rebuild before I went to the trouble of installing it, especially since it's going to be a lot of work for the conversion.

[67c10rustbuket]

Looks like it is missing the serpentine brackets, alternator, MAF, intake cover and ?? Who knows what else. That stuff will add up real quick. Hopefully he still has all the extras that are not pictured. It is tempting at that price but still a gamble.

[ls1nova71]

If you trust the seller, then $350 is a decent price, but I'd piul a valve cover and see how clean it is inside, this will give an indication of how well it was maintained. It does have 862 heads though which may be Castech heads that were known for cracking around the bolts, no doubt what KillerBee had on his truck. But if it has that kind of miles and they haven't cracked by now, then they probably are alright, again, looking at the oil and inside the engine as much as you can will help you determine this. There is a Castech logo cast in the head, but unfortunately you have to pull the rockers to see it. A Google search will bring up all kinds of info on them.

[indymachinist]

That is a decent price for a 5.3 engine. Its not a steal, but its not bad either. I take it this is an individual selling so no tax or core charge either which is nice.

The castech heads that crack are all 706 heads. To my knowledge, 862s are fine.

Pulling a valve cover is a fine idea. Ideally, pull the driver side. It is typically the dirtier side. (The oil fill seems to keep the other side cleaner from my experience)

The 220k doesnt scare me. I'd slap an oil pump and timing chain on it and rock on.

[truckdude239]

My 2002 suburban has a 5.3 in it that has 219k on it runs like a dream expect for some oil leaks id drop 350 on that and id change all the oil gaskets knock sensors and intake gaskets while it out

[Heavymetl]

I'd run a 220k engine and not worry a bit. If you do replace the oil pump, make absolutely sure you also install a new o-ring. They always look fine when you take them out, but they become distorted and won't seal. $3.50 part and no worries.

[mongocanfly]

I'd have no problem running it if it was already in a truck...but it'd be so much easier to freshen up beforehand. .