First time working through some LS engines and I’ve either got horrible luck or there is a fix (maybe both). I’ve purchased 3 engines (2 complete, 1 short block) and 2 of the 3 have either scoring through the cam bearings and mains. I’m not finding a lot on repairs for the situation. I’m up in AK so I don’t have a limitless supply here and I hate to just toss the blocks. Is there a repair that is being done down in the states that I’m not seeing? All blocks are 5.3L gen3.

 

Post some pics please. Cam bearing wear in the LS platform is completely normal. Most Oem tear downs have cam bearings that are worn through Babbitt layer and into copper, especially front two bearings. Main bearings on the other hand typically wear very little because of the robust bottom end design and well designed crank (well designed for an OEM iron crank) that can handle some miles/power. What your describing with main bearing wear seems strange.

 

I’ll get pics tomorrow. The one block I just finished looks good minus corrosion on the cylinder walls that can be honed/bored out. I’ll post depths and pics tomorrow.