Looks like a 5.3 to me...?
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2
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From: Sacramento, CA
Looks like a 5.3 to me...? So I just bought what I was told was an LM7 from a '06 Tahoe. I decided to verify that I really got a 5.3 and not a 4.8. (This seems like a recurring theme on many threads.) I don't have the VIN and from what I've read there is really no way to tell the difference from the exterior. I don't see a paint marking on the 4.8/5.3 casting on the block. I found some threads that mentioned the head gasket tabs. Mine said 4.8, so I was not happy. I stuck a scope down the spark plug hole and it looks like it has dished pistons. Here are a couple of pics of the pistons and one of the "4.8" tab. They are not the best quality, but it looks like they are dished. Could this actually be a 5.3???
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA
Thanks for the advice. That is what I thought, but the 4.8 on the tabs had me discouraged. And yea, the pics are hard to see. It was the best I could get with the scope. Thanks again!
