Does anyone know what years the castings were a problem with the heads that have the castech emblem. Also which model heads where affected. Thanx in advance

 

This issue was mainley on the 706 heads found on the 4.8/5.3L from something like 2001-2006 There is a GM TSB floating around some were. I have seen a few issues with brand new 243 heads that broke the rocker stand casting off but because theywere not used in a production enviornment it's hard to say why the castings failed.

Models affected:

2004-2006 Buick Rainier

2001-2006 Cadillac Escalade Models

2001-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche, Blazer, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, TrailBlazer Models

2001-2006 GMC Envoy, Jimmy, Sierra, Yukon Models

2001-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada

2005-2006 Saab 9-7X

with 4.8L or 5.3L VORTEC® GEN III, GEN IV V8 Engine (VINs V, T, M, B, Z -- RPOs LR4, LM7, LH6, L33, L59)

 

found the TSB with a google search.

http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/Bl...t_loss_5.3.pdf

 

Thanx guys I picked up a set of 243 off a trailblazer ss so I wasn't sure but I will pay close attention to the rocker arm mount

 

You will probally be ok with the castings as long as the engine was taken care of. The few failures I have seen were on engines that had aftermarket cams installed or the heads were ported. The were 2 or 3 that I heard about on low milage Stock Corvettes under warrenty but It's tough to say why they failed with out actaully doing analyiss on the broken parts. Probally more of a fluke then any thing.... It happens.

 

Thanx again 1fastbrick . I appreciate your fast replies.

 

Your welcome!

 

I to am having the problem with loss of coolant, as I am now reading about in 3 different web site. My question is: I bought my truck new. Took good care of it. at 120,000 miles cam went bad so dealer replace lifters, valves, etc. (sept 2010) Half my cost, Half Chev. Left dealer in Billings Montana in route to Dayton, Oh, 1700 mi. 300 miles out truck started using oil. lots! Back to dealer in Nov. 2010. The dealer replaced my original engine with a GM "Good will" engine. 9 months later, the loss of coolant became apparent. My question is, Other web sites say the heads are a known manufactuing problem from 2001 to 2007. I need to know how to read the casting stamp date on the head. Could GM actually be adding insult to injury by using these old bad heads in their reman. engines and SELLING THEM AGAIN.

 

Read the 3rd post in this thread and it will answer your question with the link.