View Poll Results: Free 5.3 block without main caps worth building ??
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Free block without main caps…is it worth it??
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Joined: May 2024
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Free block without main caps…is it worth it?? So I got a free 5.3 bare block without main caps, it sat out side for a little while and is definitely gonna need some work. I’ve read about guys punching these out to 5.7s and stuff and I’m super interested in doing something like that. I got new used caps from eBay for like $50 after shipping so that’s all I have in this thing. But I went and talked to a local engine builder and he kinda shrugged me off and said he didn’t want to align hone the block for the caps because it was a waste of my money I could buy a new block for what it was going to cost to align hone mine ($250??) but I got a different answer from a different builder so I’m curious what you guys think.
So I got a free 5.3 bare block without main caps, it sat out side for a little while and is definitely gonna need some work. I’ve read about guys punching these out to 5.7s and stuff and I’m super interested in doing something like that. I got new used caps from eBay for like $50 after shipping so that’s all I have in this thing. But I went and talked to a local engine builder and he kinda shrugged me off and said he didn’t want to align hone the block for the caps because it was a waste of my money I could buy a new block for what it was going to cost to align hone mine ($250??) but I got a different answer from a different builder so I’m curious what you guys think.
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Joined: May 2024
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That machine shop sucks. I bought an iron 6.0L block and my machine shop found the number 1 main cap was cracked across the bearing surface. I post a pic of the crack might be a little hard to see but it's just above the flash. I just bought a used set of caps from the shop and he align honed and put the studs in no problem
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From: Harford Co. Maryland
Was done all the time on SBC/BBC for better caps...unsure why it wouldn't be OK on a SBE ?
Just have to be sure there are bearings available for that size.
What IF you went billet caps ? Still needs a line bore, correct ?
Just have to be sure there are bearings available for that size.
What IF you went billet caps ? Still needs a line bore, correct ?
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Joined: Dec 2017
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It's a 5.3. You can get a blown up one for AHELLUVALOT LESS THAN $300.
Paying to have all that to a "free" 5.3 block will cost more than buying a block that comes with them.
Not a matter of "can it be done"; more, "is it The Thing To Do In This Situation". There's more to it than just that it "can be" done.
There are CERTAINLY blocks that it would worthwhile. This isn't one of them.
There's a damn good reason it's "free". Saves somebody the cost and/or trouble of hauling it or having it hauled off.
Paying to have all that to a "free" 5.3 block will cost more than buying a block that comes with them.
Not a matter of "can it be done"; more, "is it The Thing To Do In This Situation". There's more to it than just that it "can be" done.
There are CERTAINLY blocks that it would worthwhile. This isn't one of them.
There's a damn good reason it's "free". Saves somebody the cost and/or trouble of hauling it or having it hauled off.
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The issue on the LS is when you put caps on from another block, They don't always fit so well. Often times you have to Line Bore them first to get them within round to the block before you can Line hone them.
I went through this with a block that was in a fire. The front cap shrank and didn't fit the block tight. They tried to Peen the cap and damaged it. I brought them another cap from a different block and they stated it was off by about .018....
They were able to Line bore it back to round and then Line hone the block. In my case, The machine shop made it right and It didn't cost me any extra. But when we discussed adding New billet caps, The cost was $500 in my area. And I did call a few other shops... Only 2 other shops would even take it on and they all said it would be 3-4 weeks as they were busy.
I went through this with a block that was in a fire. The front cap shrank and didn't fit the block tight. They tried to Peen the cap and damaged it. I brought them another cap from a different block and they stated it was off by about .018....
They were able to Line bore it back to round and then Line hone the block. In my case, The machine shop made it right and It didn't cost me any extra. But when we discussed adding New billet caps, The cost was $500 in my area. And I did call a few other shops... Only 2 other shops would even take it on and they all said it would be 3-4 weeks as they were busy.
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Also to note, there are a lot fewer shops that can do a line bore. Pretty much any shop can do a line hone, but a good bore machine is big bucks.
Every one I’ve seen always has a very long line of parts waiting to be fed into it.
Every one I’ve seen always has a very long line of parts waiting to be fed into it.
It's a 5.3. You can get a blown up one for AHELLUVALOT LESS THAN $300.
Paying to have all that to a "free" 5.3 block will cost more than buying a block that comes with them.
Not a matter of "can it be done"; more, "is it The Thing To Do In This Situation". There's more to it than just that it "can be" done.
There are CERTAINLY blocks that it would worthwhile. This isn't one of them.
There's a damn good reason it's "free". Saves somebody the cost and/or trouble of hauling it or having it hauled off.
Paying to have all that to a "free" 5.3 block will cost more than buying a block that comes with them.
Not a matter of "can it be done"; more, "is it The Thing To Do In This Situation". There's more to it than just that it "can be" done.
There are CERTAINLY blocks that it would worthwhile. This isn't one of them.
There's a damn good reason it's "free". Saves somebody the cost and/or trouble of hauling it or having it hauled off.
All excellent points..."free" is rarely free...