Need some rebuilding advice
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From: Phoenix, AZ USA
Need some rebuilding advice I just picked up a complete iron 5.3 from a 99-03 silverado/tahoe. I don't know exact year or mileage, however it is a 24x reluctor, no rear cast oil crossover passage, short/long head bolt (vs. the later all-same-length) version. I will need to replace the 24x with a 58x as I'm running LS2 stuff.
I'm really not looking for much more than a head/cam build, however because I do not know this history on this motor, I fully disassembled it to clean and inspect for possible issues.
Results:
- Bearings are pristine (literally near zero wear)
- some (not fresh but clearly visible in areas) crosshatch remaining
- no cracks/damage to rings/pistons
- no other indicators of damage that I can see
So, my question are:
- what do I NEED to do?
- what can I reuse?
- what must to be replaced?
Can I:
- reuse main bolts?
- reuse rod bolt?
- reuse rings/no rehone?
- reuse bearings?
I plan to:
- replace head bolts with studs (I prefer studs, personal preference)
- get MLS gaskets (since they are reusable)
- mill the heads to get up to around 10:1
- run TR224/224 on 112LSA
- good drop in dual valve spring
- stiffer pushrods
The goal is a good streetable (daily driver) around 385-400rwhp N/A with 6800RPM shift point.
Side question:
- Since I got this thing so cheap, I have the money left over to grab up an aluminum 5.3 block. Can I just swap all the guts over from the iron to aluminum block and go? I assume I would need to cross-hatch and re-ring since I would not be matching up pistons to original bores.
I'm really not looking for much more than a head/cam build, however because I do not know this history on this motor, I fully disassembled it to clean and inspect for possible issues.
Results:
- Bearings are pristine (literally near zero wear)
- some (not fresh but clearly visible in areas) crosshatch remaining
- no cracks/damage to rings/pistons
- no other indicators of damage that I can see
So, my question are:
- what do I NEED to do?
- what can I reuse?
- what must to be replaced?
Can I:
- reuse main bolts?
- reuse rod bolt?
- reuse rings/no rehone?
- reuse bearings?
I plan to:
- replace head bolts with studs (I prefer studs, personal preference)
- get MLS gaskets (since they are reusable)
- mill the heads to get up to around 10:1
- run TR224/224 on 112LSA
- good drop in dual valve spring
- stiffer pushrods
The goal is a good streetable (daily driver) around 385-400rwhp N/A with 6800RPM shift point.
Side question:
- Since I got this thing so cheap, I have the money left over to grab up an aluminum 5.3 block. Can I just swap all the guts over from the iron to aluminum block and go? I assume I would need to cross-hatch and re-ring since I would not be matching up pistons to original bores.
Last edited by 2001CamaroGuy; Mar 1, 2013 at 11:00 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,074
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New bearings, new rod bolts (Katech) if so wont have to re-size the rods. I would not reuse the rings, get new ones they are not expensive and I see no reason to reuse them. I would get new bearings even if they look good now there is no reason to use old bearings if they are coming out. Many people have reused the main bolts but I don't recommend it if budget is tight get stock replacements if you have a little extra a ARP main studs never hurt but that is your choice. As far as the crosshatching I would do a couple light passes with a ball hone just to clean it up.
