Got a "new" LS2 from a wreck, and did confirm 1-2% leakdown across the board. Internals looked as new as they get, however the first oil out of it had concerning copper metal flake pouring out the filter. The drain plug had a few mm of iron. So, did a oil analysis, came back 60 ppm copper - they said drive, retest as it wasn't indicative of failure. I just changed the oil, went around the block, checked the filter. Copper shavings again, not a ton but too much for a ride around the block. Maybe they were leftover from the last change?

My question is, at what point do I call it and tear it down? I get so many conflicting opinions to where ppl say LS motors just shed copper naturally, then others that say any visible amount is grounds for an overhaul. I don't want to tear it down to find no abnormal signs of wear, and I should have ran it ... I need experienced ppl to give me some insight here.

 

I have (5) LS engines in regular daily service.
All of them are 20 years old, and range from 134,000 miles to 220,000 miles.
3 are naturally aspirated, one supercharged and one turbocharged.
3 have TSP camshafts, Each cam was installed under OEM ( 100,000 mile+ Lifters)
I run them HARD, and I tend toward high RPM shiftpoints.
NONE have shown visible metallic flake in drain oil.

 

Not gonna say that's "bad"; butt it sure as hell isn't "good".

Since you've already got it, and it's already in your car, not much to do now butt wait and see what happens.

 

I’d hope that the latest flakes were residual. Having said that, benchmark your HOT idle oil pressure and watch it like a Trump Secret Service member. If it trends downward, you know what’s up. In the meanwhile, drive the thing. Are you cutting your filters open with the correct filter cutter tool? If your not looking inside them, you should be.

 

Oil pressure is great, but I'll start recording it. The metal flake I see is from tipping the filter upside down and pouring out the oil. The oil in it has obvious copper flakes. Cutting the pleats open last time didn't show any metal surprisingly. And no, I used tin snips, but now have the correct tool.

 

But can't it fuse a journal to a bearing that way instead of me being able to rebuild it? Is there any chance I could fix this problem at home if it's a bad bearing or something?

 

To be fair, they say the engine's that shed copper are up to 30k old. They say it mellows out after that: https://www.brianschreurs.org/neptun...es/copper.html
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I need to know if new engines do this, because this engine has all the traits of a new one

 

My forged 6.0L has always had concerning amounts of metal in the oil according to my eyes, but runs great(3 years, 10,000 miles). Oil pressure has been steady.
All the probably 6-7 oil changes I've done, I cut the filter open and I am always disappointed, but it still keeps taking a beating.

 

Could be from cam bearings, which isn't great, but better than from the rods! BTW, 1%-2% leak down is damn awful great!!

 

Please tell me you have a picture of what it looked like. This was a 3k oil change. Mostly copper, but the plug cought a decent bit of iron.

 

That is not good JuJu buddy I hope the oil prssure hangs in there. Out of the 100 of these LS's that I have dealt with never seen this once. Is it dod deleted? If so I would say step it up to 10w-40 to make it last a little longer if your not willing to tear it down yet just my 2 cents.

 

Ah, I appreciate the advice. I think it's best if I tear it down. If I find worn bearings, would new bearings and a few rebuild videos fix it, or is this a machine shop job

 

Depends on whether the crank is damaged, and/or what cause you find for the bearings getting damaged.

 

And if it looks like dirt or something got in there and it's otherwise fine, can I run the block with those copper shavings that'll be in some nooks and crannies? Copper is soft, but I've heard mixed things. Also there was some iron on the plug

 

I'd hesitate to say. I probably wouldn't. Butt that's just me. Esp if it's already all the way torn down, doesn't make sense not to straighten it out.

A little iron/steel dust on the drain plug is normal. I'd have to see what you've got, to have an opinion on whether it's serious or not.

Again, wait til you get there and have the data. Idle speculation and worrying aren't a good way to spend life.