L33 block with lifter bore damage... worth it?
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 157
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh, NC
L33 block with lifter bore damage... worth it? All,
I am in search of an L33 block and one just popped up on eBay for a great price but with lifter bore damage on a single cylinder.
I will be shipping the block out for dry-sleeving.
Is this something that can be fixed with a hone or is this something to stay away from?
Thanks,
D
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-CHEVROLET-GEN-III-5-3-LM4-L33-ALUMINUM-BARE-BLOCK-ENGINE-12572733-/221355170636?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3389cbdb4c&vxp=mtr
I am in search of an L33 block and one just popped up on eBay for a great price but with lifter bore damage on a single cylinder.
I will be shipping the block out for dry-sleeving.
Is this something that can be fixed with a hone or is this something to stay away from?
Thanks,
D
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-CHEVROLET-GEN-III-5-3-LM4-L33-ALUMINUM-BARE-BLOCK-ENGINE-12572733-/221355170636?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3389cbdb4c&vxp=mtr
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 1
All,
I am in search of an L33 block and one just popped up on eBay for a great price but with lifter bore damage on a single cylinder.
I will be shipping the block out for dry-sleeving.
Is this something that can be fixed with a hone or is this something to stay away from?
Thanks,
D
GM Chevrolet Gen III 5 3 LM4 L33 Aluminum Bare Block Engine 12572733 | eBay
I am in search of an L33 block and one just popped up on eBay for a great price but with lifter bore damage on a single cylinder.
I will be shipping the block out for dry-sleeving.
Is this something that can be fixed with a hone or is this something to stay away from?
Thanks,
D
GM Chevrolet Gen III 5 3 LM4 L33 Aluminum Bare Block Engine 12572733 | eBay
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 157
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh, NC
If anyone thinks that the repair on this block would be under $50 then by all means chime in!
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 1
Yeah - after looking at those pictures in more detail of the damage I am concerned that it would require a machine shop's attention. I would rather be patient and just get a block locally for $300 that is in decent shape that spend $300 on one shipped with damage.
If anyone thinks that the repair on this block would be under $50 then by all means chime in!
If anyone thinks that the repair on this block would be under $50 then by all means chime in!
Launching!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 255
Likes: 1
From: Alberta, Canada
It's hard to tell the extent of the damage from the pictures. If the damage was just at the bottom of the bore, I would probably just deburr and run a wheel cylinder hone through it. But I would not take the gamble of buying it without seeing it in person.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 157
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh, NC
Looking to spend about $250 for just the block if I have to pay shipping.
Feel free to PM me if you can't get rid of it or are willing to wiggle on that number.
Thanks for all the input guys, I agree it's not worth the gamble could easily be a $250 paperweight after it's shipped to me.
Trending Topics
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
thanks, I don't need to sell it. sometimes I get good deals on my l33's sometimes I get ok deals on them. this particular block that is what I paid for it 400. I have purchased complete l33's before for 600.00 but that only happened once. thanks, mike
Thanks - but I can get a whole short block in good shape for $300-350 plus shipping from that same seller online.
Looking to spend about $250 for just the block if I have to pay shipping.
Feel free to PM me if you can't get rid of it or are willing to wiggle on that number.
Thanks for all the input guys, I agree it's not worth the gamble could easily be a $250 paperweight after it's shipped to me.
Looking to spend about $250 for just the block if I have to pay shipping.
Feel free to PM me if you can't get rid of it or are willing to wiggle on that number.
Thanks for all the input guys, I agree it's not worth the gamble could easily be a $250 paperweight after it's shipped to me.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo TECH Apprentice
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
if you can get a short block for 3-350 I would not mess with a hurt block for 150 at all.
post script; gen 3 l33's are getting very popular, and the prices have been going up on them lately. if you want one and know where to find one you need to buy it. they will be gone soon.
post script; gen 3 l33's are getting very popular, and the prices have been going up on them lately. if you want one and know where to find one you need to buy it. they will be gone soon.
I'd pass on that block. To properly sleeve that block, you need someone with the right equipment. That usually involves a fixture specific to your engine (LS1) that goes into the block where the cam sits. This fixture is then used to bore out the lifter bore and install the sleeve. That's way more than a $50 job!
It also looks like the bottom of the bore is deformed, like the lifter was beaten out of the bore. I'd stay away from it. It's not worth a $150 gamble, especially if you can't see it first in person.
I just went through this with an LS2 block!
It also looks like the bottom of the bore is deformed, like the lifter was beaten out of the bore. I'd stay away from it. It's not worth a $150 gamble, especially if you can't see it first in person.
I just went through this with an LS2 block!
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 157
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh, NC
if you can get a short block for 3-350 I would not mess with a hurt block for 150 at all.
post script; gen 3 l33's are getting very popular, and the prices have been going up on them lately. if you want one and know where to find one you need to buy it. they will be gone soon.
post script; gen 3 l33's are getting very popular, and the prices have been going up on them lately. if you want one and know where to find one you need to buy it. they will be gone soon.
If I can't find one I will contact you.
Much appreciate the input.
I'd pass on that block. To properly sleeve that block, you need someone with the right equipment. That usually involves a fixture specific to your engine (LS1) that goes into the block where the cam sits. This fixture is then used to bore out the lifter bore and install the sleeve. That's way more than a $50 job!
It also looks like the bottom of the bore is deformed, like the lifter was beaten out of the bore. I'd stay away from it. It's not worth a $150 gamble, especially if you can't see it first in person.
I just went through this with an LS2 block!
It also looks like the bottom of the bore is deformed, like the lifter was beaten out of the bore. I'd stay away from it. It's not worth a $150 gamble, especially if you can't see it first in person.
I just went through this with an LS2 block!
I was hoping for some first hand experience!
I will keep looking out for a block. I am not in a rush to find one just wanting to get a great deal. I won't be ready for assembly until the end of the year anyway.
Thanks!
Check craigslist for a good local deal on a bare block or a shortblock. That way you can inspect it first-hand.
Lift bores with light scratches or small light scuffs are usually okay. Worst case, your machine shop can lightly hone them by hand just to get a good texture on the bore.
Lift bores with light scratches or small light scuffs are usually okay. Worst case, your machine shop can lightly hone them by hand just to get a good texture on the bore.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 157
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh, NC
Check craigslist for a good local deal on a bare block or a shortblock. That way you can inspect it first-hand.
Lift bores with light scratches or small light scuffs are usually okay. Worst case, your machine shop can lightly hone them by hand just to get a good texture on the bore.
Lift bores with light scratches or small light scuffs are usually okay. Worst case, your machine shop can lightly hone them by hand just to get a good texture on the bore.
Thanks again for the input.
