Quick Ranger

iTrader: (2)

I picked up what I was told was an 06 5.3 shortblock from a member here. It was disassembled, but pistons all marked to correct holes. Now the question I have is, the rods on the 1,3,5,7 side look different than than the 2,4,6,8 side. The 2,4,6,8 side have a marking cast on the rod that says "ckn 3843 and 341", the 1,3,5,7 side is marked "rm 143". The 341 rods clearly look to be a more stout looking rod. Are these rods not a matching set for this shortblock? I have a set of rods/pistons I pulled from a 5.3 engine I had, they are all the same, marked "rm 143" on all 8 rods.

RezinTexas

post some pictures

Old Geezer

iTrader: (3)

phone w/ the seller, asking about this.
I'm wondering if the seller might have a set just like yours.

Quick Ranger

iTrader: (2)

I'll have to figure out how to post pics. Aren't 2004+ 5.3l using the ls2 rods? I thought they used a floating wrist pin also?

Quick Ranger

iTrader: (2)

Here are a couple pics.

http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/Qu...bile%20Uploads

The ones on the left are just like all 8 from another 5.3 i tore down.

Quick Ranger

iTrader: (2)

I did a search on google, the rods marked 341 are ls2 rods, the beams are more squared off on the sides vs. The other rods are early ls1 style, more rounded beam and overall "thinner" looking.

Quick Ranger

iTrader: (2)

Seller claims they all came out of the same motor, so the rods are worthless unless I can get 4 more ls2 rods to match.

RezinTexas

yeah you definitely have LS1 and LS2 rods there.

FYI, my '04 LM7 motor came with LS2 style rods and press-fit pins.

post the name of the seller.

Justhereforinfo

iTrader: (2)

I'd be curious to know what they weigh. Do you have a small scale to check the bob weight? If they weigh the same, the piston sticks out of the whole the same, and they clear the crank and block.......maybe this shortblock was assembled on Friday just before beer O'clock. How many miles did it have on it?

Quick Ranger

iTrader: (2)

Seller is going to try and get me a matching set of rods, but it sucks, i will still have to balance the assembly for sure now.

Question on the pistons that are installed, they have a black coating on the skirts, were factory pistons ever like that? The other pistons i have from a 5.3 are just the alum color with a big "+" sign on the top. I've seen the black coating on the skirts on aftermarket pistons, such as speed pros.