I have a aluminum short block and set of 243 heads from a 2009 5.3 silverado for sale. They have 230,000 miles on them but no substantial damage to them. He's asking 350 for the combo minus the timing cover, is that a good price?

 

I've sold 243 heads for $350, alone.

 

These are from a truck though so they don't have the sodium valves

 

Buy it. First check it over for any obvious damage first hand.
it will be either an LC9 or LH6.

 

5.3's did not come equipped with sodium filled valves. ALL Gen IV 4.8/5.3 engines came with 243/799heads.

 

Gen 4 truck 243's have sodium valves?

 

I don't think the hollow intake/sodium exhaust valves came off of any truck heads. I know they did come off of z06 ls6/ls2 heads 02+.

 

They do not. I edited my last post to clarify this. Sorry for the confusion!

 

I'm not sure about the sodium valves. If one broke that would be like pouring salt in an open wound.

 

You're thinking of sodium chloride (salt). Sodium poured in water reacts violently.

 

I've got some 243's I purchased years ago for about $500. Probably couldn't get that much for them today though.

 

I think he was making a joke of sorts.

 

If the bearings and cylinders looked good, I would say it's not a bad deal.

 

I was joking. But when I read sodium filled valves I always assumed it was some form of salt.

 

I was going to comment on this the other day but could figure out for sure if he was selling or buying.

 

That Gen4 5.3 block can be bored .123” - 3.903 and used as a 5.7 or a 383, they’re not a bad starting point at all, way better than an LS1 block, about 16 lbs heavier too. If you’re getting a good crank and rods in the deal, can’t go wrong. Don’t forget to plug the towers in the valley.

 

The hollow intake / sodium exhaust valves came in the 2002 - 2004 LS6 C5 Z06s and the 2005 LS6 CTS-V only. I weighed the stock valves from a 2005 CTS-V to confirm. The valves found in all other 243/799 cylinder head applications are of the standard variety (including the 2001 C5 Z06, LS2 powered vehicles, 4.8/5.3 trucks, etc).

If anyone happens to have a set of LS6 hollow intake/sodium exhaust valves laying around shoot me a PM, interested if the price is right.

 

I didn't know about the '05 V having them. Interesting.

FWIW, I bought I set off a member on here with intention of running them, but decided to sell them shortly after and market value at the time was about $250. I had them up on eBay at one point for $350+ and I didn't get any hits and that obviously was not the best platform. They were mint as well and looked extremely low mileage. I think for the price of a set of new titanium valves, the GM lightweights even at $300 is a bargain. The trouble is finding them now.

 

So true, they are tough to find. I agree on $300 being a good deal. I needed a few replacements once and had a heck of a time finding them and once I did I had to pony up.