Verifying engine condition
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Verifying engine condition I have a gen III 5.3 that I bought a while back. I need to figure out its condition before I swap it in. I've heard the gaskets on these are reusable. Is that true or am I gonna need to order a gasket set?
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Aiken, South Carolina
Depends on what gaskets you have, but Ive never heard of stock gaskets being reusable. The peace of mind gained from new gaskets far outweigh the cost.
Id also like to hear input for verifying condition of a used 5.3.
Id also like to hear input for verifying condition of a used 5.3.
Staging Lane
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Meridian MS
The head gaskets can be re-usable ($32.00 for a pair of new ones) can you rationalize taking a $32.00 risk? The head bolts aren't re-usable, you'll have to purchase new ones regardless.
1. Remove the heads check for damage to the pistons and high cylinder wall wear.
2. Scotch Bright Pads & Brake clean is your friend if you find no damage.
3. Install new head gaskets (LS6) and head bolts.
And enjoy your engine!
Eddie
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
The head gaskets can be re-usable ($32.00 for a pair of new ones) can you rationalize taking a $32.00 risk? The head bolts aren't re-usable, you'll have to purchase new ones regardless.
1. Remove the heads check for damage to the pistons and high cylinder wall wear.
2. Scotch Bright Pads & Brake clean is your friend if you find no damage.
3. Install new head gaskets (LS6) and head bolts.
And enjoy your engine!
Eddie
1. Remove the heads check for damage to the pistons and high cylinder wall wear.
2. Scotch Bright Pads & Brake clean is your friend if you find no damage.
3. Install new head gaskets (LS6) and head bolts.
And enjoy your engine!
Eddie
Trending Topics
TECH Resident
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 926
Likes: 18
From: Central Texas
I'm with Joe, if you torque a bolt to "Yield" it actually relaxes and has no clamping strength. GM in their wisdom are actually stretching the bolt which doesn't hurt it. But it really is a good way to sell new bolts in case some Dude with a size 14 shoe and a size 3 hard hat over stretches it to failure... FWIW
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 Staging Lane
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Meridian MS
I'm with Joe, if you torque a bolt to "Yield" it actually relaxes and has no clamping strength. GM in their wisdom are actually stretching the bolt which doesn't hurt it. But it really is a good way to sell new bolts in case some Dude with a size 14 shoe and a size 3 hard hat over stretches it to failure... FWIW
I'm not an engineer by any means but I thought the purpose of Torque Yield bolts was to act like a spring with a targeted clamping force range as the heads and block expand thru heating and cooling cycles?
Not saying that reusing them isn't possible.... but it's cheap risk, worth not taking. Personally....I would just buy ARP head bolts and call it a day.
Restricted User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 7,192
Likes: 109
From: Ohio
Lots of the turbo guys re-using them, tightening them down with an impact (not a torque wrench) and making 800+ HP. I don't see the point in buying ARP head bolts for an N/A build. The LS engines have basically thrown out the old-school notion that "everything needs upgraded".
I even reuse my head gaskets on my aluminum block turbo engine. This is the 3rd time I've put the same head gaskets back onto my engine and pushed 20+ PSI every single day for months on end.
Is it the absolute best idea? No, but at some point you venture into the realm of overkill and extra money spent sees absolutely zero returns.
I even reuse my head gaskets on my aluminum block turbo engine. This is the 3rd time I've put the same head gaskets back onto my engine and pushed 20+ PSI every single day for months on end.
Is it the absolute best idea? No, but at some point you venture into the realm of overkill and extra money spent sees absolutely zero returns.
Staging Lane
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Meridian MS
Lots of the turbo guys re-using them, tightening them down with an impact (not a torque wrench) and making 800+ HP. I don't see the point in buying ARP head bolts for an N/A build. The LS engines have basically thrown out the old-school notion that "everything needs upgraded".
I even reuse my head gaskets on my aluminum block turbo engine. This is the 3rd time I've put the same head gaskets back onto my engine and pushed 20+ PSI every single day for months on end.
Is it the absolute best idea? No, but at some point you venture into the realm of overkill and extra money spent sees absolutely zero returns.
I even reuse my head gaskets on my aluminum block turbo engine. This is the 3rd time I've put the same head gaskets back onto my engine and pushed 20+ PSI every single day for months on end.
Is it the absolute best idea? No, but at some point you venture into the realm of overkill and extra money spent sees absolutely zero returns.
I'm just following recommendation set by GM Engineers on the fasteners, I'm not saying it's impossible to reuse the head bolts, but I would simplify things by just going the extra effort and buying for certain reusable (ARP Head Bolts) I don't like uncertainty or unneeded risks whether it's N/A or Pressurized HP.
But once again I see your point/position and its incredible that you're getting a lot of good usage of your head gaskets.
Eddie
Personally I would go back to your original question - how to verify engine condition....
Send an oil sample out to someone like blackstone , they will provide a report that will show the contents of foreign materials in your oil such as water , coolant , bearing soft metals etc... along with a reference to if these are just trace/normal levels or of concern.
Over the years it has been my personal experience to trust an engine last opened up by the general over anything you spend money on to open up or upgrade. You can have a lot of fun with bolt ons , convertors ,gears, suspension with your 5.3 don't open it up unless there is an issue with condition , then I would be parting out or selling off the 5.3 you have and go buy a known good one instead vs. opening the engine up in any way
Of course if your looking to make big power NA then you would have to change internal components to add compression , add strength , promote increase airflow (heads/cam)etc...
Send an oil sample out to someone like blackstone , they will provide a report that will show the contents of foreign materials in your oil such as water , coolant , bearing soft metals etc... along with a reference to if these are just trace/normal levels or of concern.
Over the years it has been my personal experience to trust an engine last opened up by the general over anything you spend money on to open up or upgrade. You can have a lot of fun with bolt ons , convertors ,gears, suspension with your 5.3 don't open it up unless there is an issue with condition , then I would be parting out or selling off the 5.3 you have and go buy a known good one instead vs. opening the engine up in any way
Of course if your looking to make big power NA then you would have to change internal components to add compression , add strength , promote increase airflow (heads/cam)etc...