Need a new motor....

[Dpayne]

So my 05 z. Has 2000k on it. Starting to have alot of blow by and oil is now pushing out after the dip stick tube once crankcase pressure pushes it out past the oring on the handle. It just started all of the sudden. Never had an issue with this truck since new until the castec heads let loose at about 170k so had new heads, bolts, rear main, crank seal, lifters and cam. I know at that point i should have probably gone ahead and the short block just redone but hey im a cheapass and paying for it now. I have not done a leak down test or compression test yet but the amount of oil its passing im sure its not good... I have been looking at just getting a short block or having mine redone. But every one keeps saying they are so cheap and plentiful you can buy a take out cheaper. One guy on another forum claims he can buy 5.3s with 40k on them for 500 all day long. Id love to simply pull out, drop in and all for 500 bucks. But ive yet to find and engine that cheap. Craigslist austin... 900 was the cheapest with over 100k... Online 600.. Plus shipping to tx. Summit. 1300.00 for a short block... Local lkq wrecking yard 1300.... So where are so many people finding these low mileage motors for 500- 800 bucks like they claim. Any one know of a better place ? Ive been looking all day and have yet to get under the 1000.00 mark for anything id even consider dropping in with confidence..

 

[Chris2144]

Yea that seems a little high. Local yards here in dfw have 120k mile engines for 500. Before I'd buy anything I'd want to know exactly what's wrong do a leak down test that will tell you where the pressure is coming from. Have you checked the pcv.

Oil level generally sits below the opening for the dipstick so is your oil level to full. Coolant in oil check these things before you make a decision to swap ot

 

[Dpayne]

Have not done a leak down yet. Pvc system is fine. Just replaced the left hand valve cover with the built in valve... My daughter drives the truck to school, home, work etc. I can do a leak dowm but in my mind the amount of oil its pushing out would indicate oil pushing past one of the pistons. It will soak the entire passanger side out of the dipstick in a trip around the block. Beeing that it started suddenly i was leaning towards a ring let loose... I might go ahead and do a leak down but i was thinking if i could get a motor with low miles for 500 bucks hell id rather undo a few bolts and be done... I had the feeling these posts ive been reading about low mile motors for cheap where like a barn find shelby...

 

[drakon543]

you have 2 million miles on the original motor you sir are a p/m god lol.
i can see 500 bucks for 100k motors i cant see 500 bucks for a 5.3 under 50k. i think that individual was just blowing smoke. the 5.3 is a very popular engine in just about every aspect.

 

[Chris2144]

https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/pts/d/colbert-vortec-53-engine/6942986851.html
Idk how many miles but its cheap

 

[Big Mama]

I’m not in Texas but that price is an albatross. If you can reach out to him on that forum with a pm do that. Even if you have to drive to get it. Heck, I’d like to get one too. He may own a boneyard.

 

[adriver]

If he could buy them all day long for that price, he should be able to show you one of those at any time. Ask him where they are, not us.

You might have some luck finding one on a Silverado sierra forum. There were 10 times as many of them as SUVs.



https://austin.craigslist.org/pts/d/austin-53-lm7-engine-needs-rebuild/6937522276.html
5.3 $250 (ran rough)


https://austin.craigslist.org/pts/d/lampasas-lq4-60l-gmc-chevy-escalade/6929669664.html
6.0 $1000

 

[Doubeleive]

prices around here in nor-cal is about $600-800 for 100k+ engines, finding one that matches your vin type under 50k would be extremely rare, even as popular as they are

 

[01FormulaTA]

gonna be hard to find a 12+ year old 5.3 with lower miles...since you recently did your heads anyways I think going with the shortblock would be a good way to go...or you could always look for an LS1, they would be much easier to find lower mileage out of a C5 but they will cost a premium compared to a 5.3, but would also be a nice upgrade in performance...

 

[rjr]

2000k = 2 million miles. With that mileage, I suspect more then the engine is in need of replacement. How many transmissions have been in it?

 

[swathdiver]

So my 05 z. Has 2000k on it. Starting to have alot of blow by and oil is now pushing out after the dip stick tube once crankcase pressure pushes it out past the oring on the handle. It just started all of the sudden. Never had an issue with this truck since new until the castec heads let loose at about 170k so had new heads, bolts, rear main, crank seal, lifters and cam. I know at that point i should have probably gone ahead and the short block just redone but hey im a cheapass and paying for it now. I have not done a leak down test or compression test yet but the amount of oil its passing im sure its not good... I have been looking at just getting a short block or having mine redone. But every one keeps saying they are so cheap and plentiful you can buy a take out cheaper. One guy on another forum claims he can buy 5.3s with 40k on them for 500 all day long. Id love to simply pull out, drop in and all for 500 bucks. But ive yet to find and engine that cheap. Craigslist austin... 900 was the cheapest with over 100k... Online 600.. Plus shipping to tx. Summit. 1300.00 for a short block... Local lkq wrecking yard 1300.... So where are so many people finding these low mileage motors for 500- 800 bucks like they claim. Any one know of a better place ? Ive been looking all day and have yet to get under the 1000.00 mark for anything id even consider dropping in with confidence..

Put new rings and bearings in your motor after having it magnafluxed for cracks, have the machine shop put new cam bearings in and be done with it.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Maybe notify GM about your 2 million miles. Maybe you'll get a huge"Loyal Customer"discount on a new motor.

 

[SnowDrifter]

This'll be the last time OP typoes an extra zero lmao

Check pcv system again. And I mean check it. Not assume it's good because it has new parts. Inspect hoses for kinking or cracking. Manually verify the pcv valve works and flows well. Don't forget the pass side valve cover - the fresh air pcv intake. Check that for issues too. I don't remember if it had a check valve or not.

It would take a rather substantial amount of blowby to crate this much crank case pressure with a normally functioning system

 

[mountie]

Maybe notify GM about your 2 million miles. Maybe you'll get a huge"Loyal Customer"discount on a new motor.

Unicorn wish...... But it never hurts to ask......

I suggest contacting GM dealer body shops. They have collision left-overs in the rear yard. Then find a guy with an auction license.

 

[Dpayne]

Sorry that was supposed to be 200k. Ive been calling around to wrecking yards and rebuilders today. Pick and pull had one for 300 if you pull it condition unknown sold as is. After that i didn't find one under 800.00 anywhere in close proximity. Found a few on ebay but shipping to texas would have been just as much. I went ahead and did a compression test and leak down test. All but # 2 had close to 155 # 2 was around 140. Leak down was not good on any cylinder. About 35% across the board into the crank case. So after looking at prices i decided to just overhaul the bottom end since the top end is all ready new... A overhaul kit runs about 500 with new pistons or there bouts depending on the source and i have seen some less pistons for the 300 range. Only question in new pistons or not. Guess ill find that out once i get the motor on the stand tonight.. I was really just hoping to pull out swing left drop it swing right pick up new motor and drop it in. But spending 800 on a used motor that has no history minus all accessories just doesnt seem like a good idea. Sure wish i would have taken and extra few hrs last time it was out and just have done it right....

 

[mountie]

There are companies that sell used engines. These companies find crashed vehicles that were in good running condition before it crashed. Many check the vehicle mileage & inspect engines.

Ask your local 'good' repair shop. I can bet they know these companies.

I had a '93 Cadillac STS, 14 yrs ago. I bought a used Northstar engine - complete. It ran great! ( $1,200 )

 

[SnowDrifter]

Sorry that was supposed to be 200k. Ive been calling around to wrecking yards and rebuilders today. Pick and pull had one for 300 if you pull it condition unknown sold as is. After that i didn't find one under 800.00 anywhere in close proximity. Found a few on ebay but shipping to texas would have been just as much. I went ahead and did a compression test and leak down test. All but # 2 had close to 155 # 2 was around 140. Leak down was not good on any cylinder. About 35% across the board into the crank case. So after looking at prices i decided to just overhaul the bottom end since the top end is all ready new... A overhaul kit runs about 500 with new pistons or there bouts depending on the source and i have seen some less pistons for the 300 range. Only question in new pistons or not. Guess ill find that out once i get the motor on the stand tonight.. I was really just hoping to pull out swing left drop it swing right pick up new motor and drop it in. But spending 800 on a used motor that has no history minus all accessories just doesnt seem like a good idea. Sure wish i would have taken and extra few hrs last time it was out and just have done it right....

Check tolerances and go from there. That being said, with 200k on it, I'd assume replace pistons too. Cost difference isn't too great.

If you do cam bearings, get them line bored

 

[mountie]

If you have the time without the truck, a rebuild could make that engine run sweet !!

And, as I did with my Cadillac, I did a nice job cleaning / heat wrapping / servicing the space where the engine was.

 

[swathdiver]

Sorry that was supposed to be 200k. Ive been calling around to wrecking yards and rebuilders today. Pick and pull had one for 300 if you pull it condition unknown sold as is. After that i didn't find one under 800.00 anywhere in close proximity. Found a few on ebay but shipping to texas would have been just as much. I went ahead and did a compression test and leak down test. All but # 2 had close to 155 # 2 was around 140. Leak down was not good on any cylinder. About 35% across the board into the crank case. So after looking at prices i decided to just overhaul the bottom end since the top end is all ready new... A overhaul kit runs about 500 with new pistons or there bouts depending on the source and i have seen some less pistons for the 300 range. Only question in new pistons or not. Guess ill find that out once i get the motor on the stand tonight.. I was really just hoping to pull out swing left drop it swing right pick up new motor and drop it in. But spending 800 on a used motor that has no history minus all accessories just doesnt seem like a good idea. Sure wish i would have taken and extra few hrs last time it was out and just have done it right....

Inspect the old pistons for cracks, especially around the ring lands, this is a common failure point when folks drive around with cheap fuel and let the motor knock knock all over town. Check the rods and wrist pins, if you decide to swap pistons, you'll need them pressed on of course and that is an additional cost if you do not have a press.