I went to pick n pull the other day and there's a couple 5.3s out there with the intakes missing,i'm sure it's been rained in but would it be worth buying?I just want it for a short block to make a iron L33 for my truck

 

Ask to pull the cylinder heads real quick. Or just turn the motors over by hand with the plugs out, then see if any water is in there.

You can always save them if they havent been sitting forever. Remove the pistons and clean up the cylinders and away you go.

 

Yea it's a pretty unsupervised pick n pull so long as the motor spends free I should be able to save it?

 

Basically, Yes.

If the motor will not turn freely 360 degrees, It has corrosion on the cylinder walls or other issues.

If it will turn 360 it should be useable. I usually turn it over 2 or 3 full times to be sure.

Pull a valve cover and look for oil sludge or build up. Those usually lead a harder life.

 

Or just find a more organized yard...slme yards around here offer some kind of warranty.

 

Thanks 1fastbrick I'll be sure to follow that check,Have you ever seen a crank so bad it was unusable or is that unheard of on a 5.3??

 

If you rotate it back and forth Clockwise, Counter Clockwise and check for loose rods you should be ok.

If it was run low on oil and spun the bearings, it can be damaged beyond repair.

I opened one up like that and the cam bearings also came out with the cam.

I try to inspect them as much as I can before purchasing an engine. I would pop the pan off and look for bearing material coming out of the side of the rods. Also look for the cam bearings coming out of the journals. Look for the crank casting number to verify it is a 5.3L

casting number should be 12552216 for a 5.3L

 

Sweet thanks for the info!!!I'll be going Thursday at 92.00 bucks that seems like a good deal

 

Can't beat that with a baseball bat!

 

Well all the 5.3s at pick n pull wouldn't spin 360 I tried and tried and wouldn't budge.So I found this guy on craigslist says he's got a 5.3 but it's got 300k and will sell me the long block for 200,he said it uses oil but starts and doesn't knock should this 300k matter even tho I'm replacing the pistons,rings and bearings??or should I steer clear of that deal??