5.3

[64nailhead]

Hate to say it, but if you can't identify good parts from bad parts, then 'run Forrest, run'.

If that's a small rod, pre-06, then in running condition it's worth $250-300. As it stands now, it's core value. I'm with Anubis - $100 is fair. On the other hand, if it's a big rod 5.3, then I'll give you a hundred for the rods and pistons.

A head casting number will help identify it as well.

 

[Supercharged111]

Cam sensor will tell you as well.

 

[Turbolq4]

The change from gen3 to gen4 rods happened mid year '04. I've gotten both styles in that exact year and all '05+ have been big rods.

If the engine is together And a 2004 model year you can usually get a big rod engine if the valley pan and exhaust manifold bolt heads are 13mm. If both of them are 10mm you're pretty much guaranteed to get a gen3. If it's a combination of the two sizes of bolt heads then it's Russian roulette time!

Also gen4 engines have two lengths of head bolts instead of the three different lengths of the gen3. Interestingly enough the heads will swap around between the two without issue save intake manifold differences.

 

[Supercharged111]

So some of the late Gen3 motors got the good rods? Was it platform specific? I know the full size trucks didn't go Gen4 (58x) until the body style changed in 2007 but the Trailblazer/Envoy/etc went Gen4 in 2005. Corvette went Gen4 in 2005 also with the body style change. I've always wondered about the L33 AKA 5.3 HO as well, whether its guts were 24x Gen3 or the later stuff with DOD lifters but just not enabled?

 

[Turbolq4]

So some of the late Gen3 motors got the good rods? Was it platform specific? I know the full size trucks didn't go Gen4 (58x) until the body style changed in 2007 but the Trailblazer/Envoy/etc went Gen4 in 2005. Corvette went Gen4 in 2005 also with the body style change. I've always wondered about the L33 AKA 5.3 HO as well, whether its guts were 24x Gen3 or the later stuff with DOD lifters but just not enabled?

Yes, later gen3 engines got the bigger rods and floating piston pins, aka gen4, before the official change from 24x reluctor wheels to 58x. Also 24x didn't have DOD/AFM, at least none of the bunches of them that I've seen.

I have had several pre 58x truck engines that have gen4 rotating assemblies. A couple weeks ago I removed a 6.0 LQ4 from a 2004 Yukon Denali and it has the big rods. Trucks made the switch in the same timeframe as the LS powered cars.

 

[Texas79cutty]

Get one complete with the harness and all associated brackets for 300-500 bux. Properly maintained ones hold up pretty well and shouldn't need rebuilt for a long time.

Even if you're dead set on starting fresh and rebuilding, it's going to be less of a headache to go complete.

i got one for 300 no harness motor running from 2000 Silverado tore down im about to rebuild

 

[Texas79cutty]

Hate to say it, but if you can't identify good parts from bad parts, then 'run Forrest, run'.

If that's a small rod, pre-06, then in running condition it's worth $250-300. As it stands now, it's core value. I'm with Anubis - $100 is fair. On the other hand, if it's a big rod 5.3, then I'll give you a hundred for the rods and pistons.

A head casting number will help identify it as well.

There 706 heads

 

[Max Headroom]

I have never bought a crate engine (as in an engine in crates) and had all of the parts to put it back together again. Unless it is rare or has special value I wouldn't I wouldn't be fooling with it. Missing parts may be why the owner lost interest. If you don't know absolutely what you are buying and how much of it is actually there, then you are about to learn an expensive lesson if you lay your money down. I have been doing cars for over 40 year (crap I'm old!!) and one thing I will absolutely guarantee you, there are plenty of good deals around for anything you might want. Guns, cars, transmissions, engines, dirt bikes, etc.. If you wait just a little while, what you want will show up on your horizon. Be patient and spend your money wisely.

 

[Hoopty_Mike]

i got one for 300 no harness motor running from 2000 Silverado tore down im about to rebuild

That cut harness is giving me anxiety, but hey, it works if you're going the custom harness route. Did you get the computer with it?

 

[Turbolq4]

Why tear it down? You'll let the magic smoke out!! Honestly these engines are extremely robust and will outlast the vehicles they were installed into. If it has less than 300k miles on it then you're wasting money. If you have the heads off then throw new lifters and head gaskets in to make yourself feel better. Replace the oil pickup tube oring, oil pump, and timing chain. Boom, rebuilt.