99 5.3l in my 70... good engine¿ - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

lts70 · 07-14-2014, 11:11 AM

I may have access to a drive train out of a 1999 chevy 4x4 Z71. Thinking about getting it freshened up and sticking it in a new project truck. Previous owner (Family)said before it got parked it ran but had had a weird engine pulsating problem for many years as well as a lot of water coming out of the exaust pipe. He said he took it to a chevy dealer in Boise but they could never figure it out. So they drove it as is around the farm untill the ball joint gave out and it has been sitting ever since.

Is the 99 5.3l any good as it was the first year¿

Anyone heard of the problem above¿

Any advice would be appriciated.

Bluechevy68 · 07-14-2014, 02:46 PM

Well I can't talk about the problem the engine is having but my daily driver is a 99 chevy (new body style) and my 5.3 motor has 265,000 miles and still runs good. I have had to rebuild the transmission however.

**truckdude239** · 07-14-2014, 09:06 PM

If its dumping wster out exhaust its got either a blown headgasket or cracked hesd

Jb70c10 · 07-15-2014, 04:54 AM

I had a 99 z71 new body style that had 380k on it and still ran as good as new when I sold it. Only trouble I had out of the truck was an electrical issue that caused the tyranny to shift unto neutral going down the road sometimes. Never did find out what caused it....

**steelhorse** · 07-15-2014, 03:32 PM

It is a great engine but some of the early ones had head problems. Cracked around the head bolts.

Andy4639 · 07-15-2014, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckdude239

If its dumping wster out exhaust its got either a blown headgasket or cracked hesd

This isn't true always.
My 6.0 Ls motor with 2.5" exhaust will spit water out the whole time it's idling. I haven't seen any signs of head cracks are antifreeze in it. I asked several people on the Chevy performance team during the 2014 HRPT about it and they all basicly said the same thing. It's condensation build up inside the motor.They all said not to worry about it unless it has smoke with it which it doesn't.

el_guapo · 07-15-2014, 11:11 PM

Lsx motors are pretty bullet proof. Keep the fuel injection and watch your truck pick up serious power

Custom 68 · 07-16-2014, 08:25 AM

I dont think there are any major differences between the years. 99 would have been the first year like you stated but I would think it would be a good one.

boostedc10 · 07-16-2014, 08:54 AM

The only thing i can think of being different was the change in 05 to the floating pistons with better rods. 05 also go the better heads. Also the head bolt length changed about mid 04.

Newer stock heads are a dime a dozen so that doesn't matter and as for the rods, I have seen plenty of early gen LM7's make a ton of power with boost so really the change is a non issue if you are just doing a mild build.

71K20chevy · 07-16-2014, 09:56 AM

My dad's got a 99 Silverado with a 5.3 with 250k on the clock. Engine has never been touched, he hasn't changed his oil for a few thousand miles

That truck still has tons of power, doesn't burn a drop of oil, and still gets 20 mpg.

As mentioned above there are minor differences between the gen III, and somewhere around 04 or 05 they started putting bigger cams (like 5* more duration) in the truck motors.

snipescastle2 · 07-17-2014, 08:17 AM

unless it's abnormal amount of water coming out the tail pipe, most all of the newer engines today and the catalyst for pollution controls make lots of condensation, so unless we are talking ounces (or worse) I wouldn't worry about it.otherwise, I'd have your cooling system pressure tested, keep an eye on the oil condition, if you see milky residue on the dipstick or on the inside of the fill cap, I'd suspect a blown head gasket. you can have a local garage check your cooling system with a "Sniffer" emiisions tester, if the CO or HC readings appear, that's a dead ringer for a head gasket getting ready to blow. HTH,
Ben

67ChevyRedneck · 07-17-2014, 08:33 AM

The head problems were mostly with the 2001 model year engines.

The biggest problem with the 99-02 motors is piston slap. GM didn't quite get the piston/ring/wall clearance quite right, so on startup the pistons were "loose" (we're talking thousands of an inch) and until they heated up and expanded most of these motors experienced a "knocking" sound at start up that lasted anywhere from a few seconds to a minute (the sound was longer/worse in cold winter months). Mine started doing it around 80K and it has 155K on it now. Doesn't harm the engine. They fixed the issue around 01-02. If you rebuild this motor any kit you buy should have the revised parts. Also, if the oil wasn't changed regularly they could develop a lifter tick. The lifters have a tiny orifice and could become plugged.

Bluechevy68 · 07-21-2014, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

The head problems were mostly with the 2001 model year engines.

The biggest problem with the 99-02 motors is piston slap. GM didn't quite get the piston/ring/wall clearance quite right, so on startup the pistons were "loose" (we're talking thousands of an inch) and until they heated up and expanded most of these motors experienced a "knocking" sound at start up that lasted anywhere from a few seconds to a minute (the sound was longer/worse in cold winter months). Mine started doing it around 80K and it has 155K on it now. Doesn't harm the engine. They fixed the issue around 01-02. If you rebuild this motor any kit you buy should have the revised parts. Also, if the oil wasn't changed regularly they could develop a lifter tick. The lifters have a tiny orifice and could become plugged.

Mine has the "knocking" also and once it warms up it goes away just like you said. I think the my engine is going to outlast the truck's body.

1FastBrick · 07-21-2014, 07:04 PM

Specifically the 99's usually has smaller 21 Lbs injectors Vs. the later 24 Lbs injectors on the 2000 up. This would only matter if you wanted to mod it later.

99 and 2000 would have had a fiber type head gasket that are more prone to rotting if the cooling system was not maintained. Some of the early 862 heads would also have a notch on the deck that could only be used with a fiber type replacement head gasket.

If your going to freshen it up any way, the only thing to look for would be that it runs and sounds normal. If the fluids were not maintained, you could have issues. When you take it apart inspect the deck and the cooling passages for excessive corrosion.

And last but not least, walk away if the price isn't right or the deal isn't right. There are to may of these out there.

07-14-2014, 11:11 AM	#1
lts70 1970 Daily Driver Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Glenns Ferry IDAHO Posts: 1,037	99 5.3l in my 70... good engine¿ I may have access to a drive train out of a 1999 chevy 4x4 Z71. Thinking about getting it freshened up and sticking it in a new project truck. Previous owner (Family)said before it got parked it ran but had had a weird engine pulsating problem for many years as well as a lot of water coming out of the exaust pipe. He said he took it to a chevy dealer in Boise but they could never figure it out. So they drove it as is around the farm untill the ball joint gave out and it has been sitting ever since. Is the 99 5.3l any good as it was the first year¿ Anyone heard of the problem above¿ Any advice would be appriciated. __________________ It's not truly yours if you didn't build it yourself or if you don't do your own maintenance.

07-14-2014, 02:46 PM	#2
Bluechevy68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: London,KY Posts: 299	Re: 99 5.3l in my 70... good engine¿ Well I can't talk about the problem the engine is having but my daily driver is a 99 chevy (new body style) and my 5.3 motor has 265,000 miles and still runs good. I have had to rebuild the transmission however.

07-14-2014, 09:06 PM	#3
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,237	Re: 99 5.3l in my 70... good engine¿ If its dumping wster out exhaust its got either a blown headgasket or cracked hesd __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

07-15-2014, 04:54 AM	#4
Jb70c10 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: TX Posts: 181	Re: 99 5.3l in my 70... good engine¿ I had a 99 z71 new body style that had 380k on it and still ran as good as new when I sold it. Only trouble I had out of the truck was an electrical issue that caused the tyranny to shift unto neutral going down the road sometimes. Never did find out what caused it....

07-15-2014, 03:32 PM	#5
steelhorse Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Franklinton NC Posts: 1,309	Re: 99 5.3l in my 70... good engine¿ It is a great engine but some of the early ones had head problems. Cracked around the head bolts.

07-15-2014, 11:11 PM	#7
el_guapo Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: colorado springs Posts: 126	Re: 99 5.3l in my 70... good engine¿ Lsx motors are pretty bullet proof. Keep the fuel injection and watch your truck pick up serious power

07-16-2014, 08:25 AM	#8
Custom 68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,937	Re: 99 5.3l in my 70... good engine¿ I dont think there are any major differences between the years. 99 would have been the first year like you stated but I would think it would be a good one. __________________ Dave 1968 Custom Chevy with turbo charged 5.3 gen III 4l80e swap 1967-71 GMC 3/4 ton long step 4x4 (not sure what year exactly?) "A good friend will bail you out of jail...but a true friend will be sitting next to you saying "that was frekin awesome". "If it doesn't fit force it...If it breaks then it needed to be replaced anyway!"

07-16-2014, 08:54 AM	#9
boostedc10 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Detroit Posts: 748	Re: 99 5.3l in my 70... good engine¿ The only thing i can think of being different was the change in 05 to the floating pistons with better rods. 05 also go the better heads. Also the head bolt length changed about mid 04. Newer stock heads are a dime a dozen so that doesn't matter and as for the rods, I have seen plenty of early gen LM7's make a ton of power with boost so really the change is a non issue if you are just doing a mild build.

07-16-2014, 09:56 AM	#10
71K20chevy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Ft Wayne Indiana Posts: 1,204	Re: 99 5.3l in my 70... good engine¿ My dad's got a 99 Silverado with a 5.3 with 250k on the clock. Engine has never been touched, he hasn't changed his oil for a few thousand miles That truck still has tons of power, doesn't burn a drop of oil, and still gets 20 mpg. As mentioned above there are minor differences between the gen III, and somewhere around 04 or 05 they started putting bigger cams (like 5* more duration) in the truck motors. __________________ 71 K20 64 GMC mud truck

07-17-2014, 08:17 AM	#11
snipescastle2 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: WARRENSBURG,MISSOURI,64093 Posts: 1,518	Re: 99 5.3l in my 70... good engine¿ unless it's abnormal amount of water coming out the tail pipe, most all of the newer engines today and the catalyst for pollution controls make lots of condensation, so unless we are talking ounces (or worse) I wouldn't worry about it.otherwise, I'd have your cooling system pressure tested, keep an eye on the oil condition, if you see milky residue on the dipstick or on the inside of the fill cap, I'd suspect a blown head gasket. you can have a local garage check your cooling system with a "Sniffer" emiisions tester, if the CO or HC readings appear, that's a dead ringer for a head gasket getting ready to blow. HTH, Ben

07-17-2014, 08:33 AM	#12
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: 99 5.3l in my 70... good engine¿ The head problems were mostly with the 2001 model year engines. The biggest problem with the 99-02 motors is piston slap. GM didn't quite get the piston/ring/wall clearance quite right, so on startup the pistons were "loose" (we're talking thousands of an inch) and until they heated up and expanded most of these motors experienced a "knocking" sound at start up that lasted anywhere from a few seconds to a minute (the sound was longer/worse in cold winter months). Mine started doing it around 80K and it has 155K on it now. Doesn't harm the engine. They fixed the issue around 01-02. If you rebuild this motor any kit you buy should have the revised parts. Also, if the oil wasn't changed regularly they could develop a lifter tick. The lifters have a tiny orifice and could become plugged. __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

07-21-2014, 07:04 PM	#14
1FastBrick Registered User Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: JunkYard Posts: 48	Re: 99 5.3l in my 70... good engine¿ Specifically the 99's usually has smaller 21 Lbs injectors Vs. the later 24 Lbs injectors on the 2000 up. This would only matter if you wanted to mod it later. 99 and 2000 would have had a fiber type head gasket that are more prone to rotting if the cooling system was not maintained. Some of the early 862 heads would also have a notch on the deck that could only be used with a fiber type replacement head gasket. If your going to freshen it up any way, the only thing to look for would be that it runs and sounds normal. If the fluids were not maintained, you could have issues. When you take it apart inspect the deck and the cooling passages for excessive corrosion. And last but not least, walk away if the price isn't right or the deal isn't right. There are to may of these out there.



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