Help! I need some good opinions! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Avidyn · 03-05-2012, 04:17 PM

Hey guys,

I came across what I think is a great deal today, but I'm not sure. I found a 2003 Silverado 5.3(LM7) for $150. Complete motor minus harness and ECM. Had 120k on it before pulled. PO stated that it started to run rough and had low oil pressure. I'm lucky enough to work at a GM dealership with access to master techs. I've been told the oil pressure could be mains, rods, lifters collapsing, or a cam bearing that walked. Out of the 4, I can fix 3. A walked cam bearing means the block is shot. All the others mean just a rebuild.

Should I buy this without knowing exactly what it is? I'm up in the air on it but leaning towards buying. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Littletony · 03-05-2012, 05:20 PM

I would buy it, if the block is junk you can part it out and make your money back.

terryj · 03-05-2012, 08:14 PM

I agree with ^^^^

3QTRTONS · 03-05-2012, 08:56 PM

YUP!!! What Littletony & terryj said............

You're gonna hafta strip her down anyway, so it ain't like most of the work of parting hadn't been done, so............ worse come to worse you'll prob score enough $$$ off the parts to get a motor in 'better' shape. JMO

1425956 · 03-05-2012, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Littletony

I would buy it, if the block is junk you can part it out and make your money back.

I agree. Will be easy to get your $150 back so all you will be out is a little time. And judging from your post OP, you have a 75% chance of it being something you can fix and use.

Avidyn · 03-08-2012, 08:27 PM

So, I've decided to do it. Thanks for the input. I'll be picking it up tomorrow after work. Here's the picture he sent me though.

Posted via Mobile Device

3QTRTONS · 03-08-2012, 10:01 PM

So,,,,,, if all is well (or fixable) with that motor, is it going in your '63? What tranny is going behind it?

Avidyn · 03-09-2012, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3QTRTONS

So,,,,,, if all is well (or fixable) with that motor, is it going in your '63? What tranny is going behind it?

It will be going in my 84 C10 LWB. I guess I need to update my sig. The 63 has been gone for awhile now. Sold it to my cousin.

I want to run a 4L60E behind it. But have yet to pick one up. Any ideas on how strong a TH350 would be behind it? Just until I can get my hands on a 4L60E.

Avidyn · 03-10-2012, 12:59 AM

So, I picked up my motor today. I'm still thinking it was a good deal for $150. And, it was pretty awesome having my girlfriend helping me get it out of the truck.

I tore off a rocker cover once I got it home and this is what I found. I need your guys input on a possible cause.

And on the underside of the rocker cover.

The PO told me that he was losing a little bit of coolant. Looks like he may have blown a head gasket. What do you guys think?

03-05-2012, 04:17 PM	#1
Avidyn Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Canby, Or Posts: 29	Help! I need some good opinions! Hey guys, I came across what I think is a great deal today, but I'm not sure. I found a 2003 Silverado 5.3(LM7) for $150. Complete motor minus harness and ECM. Had 120k on it before pulled. PO stated that it started to run rough and had low oil pressure. I'm lucky enough to work at a GM dealership with access to master techs. I've been told the oil pressure could be mains, rods, lifters collapsing, or a cam bearing that walked. Out of the 4, I can fix 3. A walked cam bearing means the block is shot. All the others mean just a rebuild. Should I buy this without knowing exactly what it is? I'm up in the air on it but leaning towards buying. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. __________________ Steven 68 Camaro RS/SS (For fun) 84 C10 LWB (LM7/4L60E coming soon)

03-05-2012, 05:20 PM	#2
Littletony Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Jacksonville, NC Posts: 596	Re: Help! I need some good opinions! I would buy it, if the block is junk you can part it out and make your money back. __________________ "Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem." President Ronald Reagan,1985 "The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps!" ..............Eleanor Roosevelt, 1945

03-05-2012, 08:14 PM	#3
terryj Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Medford, Oregon Posts: 139	Re: Help! I need some good opinions! I agree with ^^^^

03-05-2012, 08:56 PM	#4
3QTRTONS Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Warren, ME. Posts: 235	Re: Help! I need some good opinions! YUP!!! What Littletony & terryj said............ You're gonna hafta strip her down anyway, so it ain't like most of the work of parting hadn't been done, so............ worse come to worse you'll prob score enough $$$ off the parts to get a motor in 'better' shape. JMO __________________ 1969 ES5500 B E A S T 1976 K20 Suburban 1983 C10 'farm truck' 1984 K10 Suburban 1988 V30 Fire Truck 1941 Dodge WC18 Ambulance 2000 GMC Bus (parts warehouse)

03-08-2012, 08:27 PM	#6
Avidyn Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Canby, Or Posts: 29	Re: Help! I need some good opinions! So, I've decided to do it. Thanks for the input. I'll be picking it up tomorrow after work. Here's the picture he sent me though. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Steven 68 Camaro RS/SS (For fun) 84 C10 LWB (LM7/4L60E coming soon)

03-08-2012, 10:01 PM	#7
3QTRTONS Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Warren, ME. Posts: 235	Re: Help! I need some good opinions! So,,,,,, if all is well (or fixable) with that motor, is it going in your '63? What tranny is going behind it? __________________ 1969 ES5500 B E A S T 1976 K20 Suburban 1983 C10 'farm truck' 1984 K10 Suburban 1988 V30 Fire Truck 1941 Dodge WC18 Ambulance 2000 GMC Bus (parts warehouse)

03-10-2012, 12:59 AM	#9
Avidyn Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Canby, Or Posts: 29	Re: Help! I need some good opinions! So, I picked up my motor today. I'm still thinking it was a good deal for $150. And, it was pretty awesome having my girlfriend helping me get it out of the truck. I tore off a rocker cover once I got it home and this is what I found. I need your guys input on a possible cause. And on the underside of the rocker cover. The PO told me that he was losing a little bit of coolant. Looks like he may have blown a head gasket. What do you guys think? __________________ Steven 68 Camaro RS/SS (For fun) 84 C10 LWB (LM7/4L60E coming soon)

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