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Is this engine junk?

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Old Apr 19, 2018 | 02:56 PM
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Default Is this engine junk?

I bought a 5.3 from the junkyard for a ls swap project. Anyways, I was cleaning the block to prepare for new head gaskets just cause I wanted to replace them while engine was out. Well I noticed this, did I just waste my money on this motor?






Last edited by dry_kill; Apr 19, 2018 at 03:14 PM.
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Old Apr 19, 2018 | 03:06 PM
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I've never seen an LS crack like that.

Cast iron, so welding is possible, but tricky (Ni rod and TIG needed) and then post machining of the block = cost prohibitive

consequences of running it seem to be limited to extra coolant pressure and overheating: assuming the fire ring won't seal completely. Best case, it doesn't leak anything. Expected outcome: small coolant leak at that head. Worst case, over heating and overpressurized coolant

welding is the proper repair. There might be some product out there you can gunk on it, but none of those ever seem to work that well and they damage heater cores and radiators more often than not. Peening it is out of the question because sealing surface.

If its a budget drag car run it til she pops. If it's a resto mod that you don't want to have issues with, replace that block.

All my opinions of course
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Old Apr 19, 2018 | 05:29 PM
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most junkyards will take a returned motor and replace it for you. Shoot them those pictures and see what they say.
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Old Apr 19, 2018 | 06:38 PM
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I loaded it up and took it back. Long story short, he doesn't have a motor right now to give me but said he should have something in by Monday that he'll let me hear running first before he pulls it. He was pretty pissed, as was I but fair is fair damnit
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Old Apr 19, 2018 | 07:34 PM
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When you pulled it apart, did it have a burned smell to it???
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Old Apr 19, 2018 | 07:52 PM
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Originally Posted by 1FastBrick
When you pulled it apart, did it have a burned smell to it???
Not sure man, really didn't pay attention. All I smelt was budweiser and cigarette smoke lol
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Old Apr 19, 2018 | 07:53 PM
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Originally Posted by dry_kill
Not sure man, really didn't pay attention. All I smelt was budweiser and cigarette smoke lol
I was just curious if they overheated the crap out of it or if water sat in it and it froze some where.
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Old Apr 19, 2018 | 08:02 PM
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There was no water in the pistons, but there was light rust in 2 of them
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Old Apr 19, 2018 | 09:26 PM
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Wow. Ive never seen that. I'm saying that motor is junk. Get your cash back ASAP!
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Old Apr 19, 2018 | 10:26 PM
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I have a gen 3 6 liter block cracked in the exact same fashion. I dont know why or what caused it. It's such a rough core bore wise I am just going to haul it to the dump one day lol.
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