New Tahoe owner

[Catastrafunk]

Hi! I have just purchased a 2000 tahoe (new body style), and it seems to be in awesome shape considering the vintage, spent most of its life in a garage etc... But as the engine has 220k+, and it seems to have done some towing, the truck is ready for an engine swap. 3 out of 4 places that have checked it out confirm this, and the 4th guy was a subaru specialist who didnt bother to put it on the lift. I am a professional drummer and as such am looking for advice on the most economical way to go about this. I live in PA area and would love some help if anyone knows a reputable business to have this done at, or perhaps a way to source out a low mileage 5.3L V8. I am willing to do some traveling to get a good deal.
Any ideas?
Thanks all!

 

[Mr.Jack]

I thought these engines were almost everlasting. 200k is nothing.

 

[akillj]

Yeah is the engine experiencing issues that can only be fixed by getting a new one? These things last forever, 220k is nothing for these engines.

 

[Catastrafunk]

I thought they were everlasting too, it seems to be leaking oil from just about everywhere and after a new water pump and getting the vacuum seals done They discovered a small crack in the head gasket. The engine hiccups constantly which gets worse when the AC is turned on. An engine rebuild has also been suggested to me, but I have also found a replacement engine with 80k miles on it

 

[Rangel]

nothing is everlasting especially if it has been abused.

 

[Pockets]

What BFM said... If the truck was used for towing the majority of its life it probably put premature wear on all of its components. But with the 5.3s being so readily available you can get them for next to nothing.