CHEAP, JUNKYARD ALUMINUM 5.3L LH6-WHAT WENT WRONG? COMPLETE TEARDOWN AND INSPECTION...PLANS TO FIX!

WHAT IS THE BEST JUNKYARD LS MOTOR? WHAT JUNKYARD LS MOTOR CAN MAKE THE MOST POWER? HOW CAN I FIND AN ALUMINUM 5.3L LS? DOES EVERY JUNKYARD LS WORK WELL? HOW SHOULD YOU CHECK A JUNKYARD LS MOTOR? IS AN LH6 A GOOD JUNKYARD LS FOR A PROJECT? CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO WHERE I SNAGGED AN LH6 ALUMINUM 5.3L AT THE LOCAL WRECKING YARD. I RUSHED IT TO WESTECH AND INSTALLED IT ON THE DYNO, ONLY TO FIND IT HAD LOW OIL PRESSURE. CHECK OUT THE TEARDOWN AND DISCOVERY OF WHAT WAS INSIDE AND WHAT I PLAN TO DO WITH IT NOW TO MAKE IT EVEN BETTER AND STRONGER.

[@JimBronson]

As the "I do cars" channel would say, you found some forbidden glitter in the pan!

[@JimBronson]

Also starring: bearing foil

[@barryhuddlestun3098]

Chain reaction. One bearing spins damaged metal hits oil pump floods through the engine wrecking every surface. A little at a time. The other bearings the guilds the pump. The crank was alreadt toast. Theres a lot of damage.

[@TinHatRanch]

I️ always use good quality gallon zip lock bags and I’m really specific on the description. I️ put them in a small tote and you can leaf through them like library cards when re-assembling. Works like a charm.

[@Nanan00]

I have rebuilt 5x engines out of trailblazers now and of those 3 of them had spun/loose center cam bearings. My local machine shop was able to bore it out so I can put in one of the larger bearings from the front or back slot from a second box. I have talked with a few others who have rebuilt these engines and we all agree that the driveshaft hole in the oil pan causes a flow restriction that causes these trucks to run dry if they are not kept at the high fill mark on the dip stick and if they are not getting oil changes more frequently than OEM recommends. We have not had this issue on other engines from other trucks and between my buddies and I we have prepped over three dozen LS swap engines. We have seen other issues with the AFM/DOD system basically carbon buildup causing collapsed lifters, these engines really should be run on pure synthetic with oil changes in the sub 6k mile range to have any real chance of making it past 200k miles without a major failure. Non AFM/DOD engines from vans never have issues even if you can tell they didn't see much service due to massive buildup of carbon and sludge.

[@straighttimestirrups]

I’ve got one that’s at least spun the #7 rod bearing. There reportedly is an issue with the valve cover breather on some of these engines that sucks oil out of the valve cover. On my EnvoyXL you’d randomly see puffs of smoke out of the tail pipe. Apparently, GM made an updated valve cover for these engines to alleviate the issue.

[@shawnsanders9450]

Yeah the oil pan and windage sucks. Most run 7 quarts to band aid the issue until they can get a correct oil pan. Even with 7 quarts some say they have done damage when the vehicle was on a serious incline or taking off real hard sloshing the oil one way or another under WOT starving the bearings for a sec.

[@matthewklein9225]

Coolant will clean the valves and piston top. Not cause buildup

[@JustAnotherOldMan]

Thanks Richard ! I did this with a gen 3 block and loved the project Im very interested in the future of this build !!!!!!

[@ericanderson8642]

In line for the flat tops, I’m not far from Westech

[@orangetruckman]

Way to stay optimistic sir 👍🏻

[@noahzempel]

Hey Richard, I'd love to see you do some testing on 180 degree headers. Maybe a 4.8, and 6.0.... different power levels, etc. Not a lot of info solid info out there. My uncle used to run them back in the 70s on an alky sbc late model

[@ls_812]

I did head and head gasket on my son's 94 Civic this weekend. Now i had 2 engines, i removed both heads and reinstalled the better one and somehow was still short a couple bolts 😂

[@russelljackson7034]

Right on

[@jord9308]

Check the oil pump o- ring and relief spring and the dumbbell

[@kingdommusic5456]

thats what i first thought oil pump ate it

[@tbl8560]

Thanks for sharing Richard! Is crank bent? Suspect it was over rev'd and spun rod bearings?

[@jcanfixall1585]

I think the head gaskets are different because it's probably had problems with the DOD in the past and they've been replaced...

[@takeit2-11]

Nice find! big band magnum! big bang magnum! big bang magnum!

[@peteJoseph-x3h]

Don’t throw those 3 bolt cams away, there are people regrinding them to performance profile with small base circle.

[@shannonschneider8413]

Still waiting for you to come on down to australia and do these same builds,bring lots of money,or bring a 40 ft container full of your toys,we don't mind new toys in the sandbox,cheers from australia

[@richardholdener1727]

aussie, aussie, aussie

[@SouthernSpeedVideos]

​@@richardholdener1727 oi oi oi!

[@regal105]

Those intake gaskets are aftermarket. She’s been opened up before. Probably had a lifter go bad

[@rajcam80]

Boost in the future!!!!!

[@BackyardBeeKeepingNuevo]

What vehicle did that motor come out of? I want to build one as a built up boat motor.

[@speedmullen]

Boost Boost baby - lets go!!!

[@bennyfactr6122]

my lh6 has the 799 heads, but also 245,000 miles and sounds like a perkins. Thanks for the nightmares, Richard.😁

[@davidreed6070]

The piston is hitting the chamber, rod bearing?

[@LowetheTechGuy]

Mr. Richard, you should make some T-shirts with the names of some builds or something similar printed on.

[@jasonhastings5538]

Richard What do you do with the engines you build?? Do you use them in projects or just test mules?

[@twinturbotaj]

With the one cylinder & exhaust valve, I think that cyl had just been missfiring/NOT-firing for some time, and that's why it's not white like the others but has oil/carbon buildup on the valve head.

[@joshgessinger4509]

Bummer but like u mentioned good foundation to build some serious hp.

[@shadymaint1]

Looking at picking up a core L33. Not sure what is wrong with it but figure it would be a good base for a future build. Would be for a low RPM truck motor. Would it be worth it to swap out the 799 heads for 706 heads? The increase in compression should make for a spicy low RPM mule. Or would the resulting 10.5:1 be to much for a daily driver.

[@aaronflynn7630]

I have a 2013 gmc Sierra with a 5.3l does that company make a ford supercharger adapter kit for my motor? I think that would be a wicked cool upgrade! Probably above my mechanical ability, but I sure I could find a shop to help me do this install!

[@shootermcgavin2819]

wow more ls content, cool..

[@Smokeroux]

GREAT VIDEO!!! 🤔is this motor going to new the be “RE-Homed” 🤣

[@christopherhuber2517]

Sweet

[@No1414body]

The heat when the bearings spin can warp the crank

[@theshark2804]

Going to go look at a ls1 bare block. I know the engine crapped out but how to inspect the block?

[@theshark2804]

I picked up an ls1 a while ago for $100. It wiped a main bearing. I got scared and dumped it. Should have held on

[@900rider]

Great video, thanks! I'm doing an LQ4 sbe for boost, btr truck Norris cam with new springs and push rods, ARP studs, GM steel head gaskets, new oil pump and timing set. I reused the lifters and lifter trays. Am I asking for trouble?

[@richardholdener1727]

we reuse lifters all the time, I like to buy new trays

[@maganalfaro]

piston 7 is hitting the head

[@codywilliams103]

I call dibs on the pistons.😊

[@macbomb]

No broken exhaust bolts! What sorcery is this!! LOL Great vid

[@richardholdener1727]

IKR

[@GrandPitoVic]

I don't think you seen when you pulled the one bearing and said it shouldn't be like that ,there was the other half of the bearing under it and as you moved your hand I seen the other half spin down to the bottom. That was crazy.

[@richardholdener1727]

the motor had spun bearings

[@GrandPitoVic]

I know but that bearing was stacked on its self lol. Wow that bad.

[@jamesgeorge4874]

Cyl 1 and 7 are AFM/DOD cylinders, build up isn't too uncommon, especially in vehicles that are gently driven. Cyl 4 and 6 are deactivated on bank 2. Every LH6 I've seen has had 243 heads though.

[@THEFERMANATOR]

I bought an 06 out of an envoy that had 799 heads on it.

[@jamesgeorge4874]

@@THEFERMANATOR I've seen them LC8 / LC9 engines, and one (a 2009 LC9 with a 799 one bank 1, and a 243 on bank 2. They are pretty much the same.

[@jcanfixall1585]

​@@THEFERMANATORI have an 06 envoy Denali with 243's...

[@07LSADRN]

How about a LH6 on a 07 sierra. Non classic body style. Having a bi××h of a time on it.. tuning. Help!

[@chriscochran2984]

Number 6 rod bearing has spun piston was hitting the head oddly enough I have the same exact engine and it done that same exact thing

[@chrise.8614]

Either wiped out ring or cracked head. On the valves being like there are.

[@jasonhastings5538]

My son just bought a 99 chevy with 5.3!! Im thinking donor for foxbody swap!!!!!😁😁😁😁

[@Airman..]

Take it to the moon Richard

[@GrandPitoVic]

The bearing moved at 14.07

[@chacelarsen50]

I found a cracked piston in my junkyard lh6. If you still have them could I please have one?

[@teamraptor4351]

A friend of mine at work bought a rust free 2009 Silverrado with under 100k. After driving it normally for 2 days it developed a slight tapping or light knocking sound. It still had fairly normal oil pressure. Turns out the same thing happened just not as bad as yours. I wonder if the dod is causing some of this. His motor was very clean and had little wear.

[@shadowopsairman1583]

Dod delete asap

[@momo-hm5ru]

found a rust free 65k mile silverado with the 4.8 so no dod to worry about. less power yeah but my 18 yo son has it so he don't need it.

[@rexdakin4556]

I put together my lm7. As soon as I got everything torqued the engine is fairly hard to turn over by hand. Any idea what could be going on?

[@richardholdener1727]

I check rotation after I tighten each thing-so I know where the bind cam from-loosen them and find out

[@justme2661]

Richard some where in a the testing lets see how much a stock alum. block and crank can handle ?????😊

[@richardholdener1727]

guys have run that at over 1500 hp

[@user-qj6tw4wt4m]

Definitely FelPro head gaskets

[@jasonross7964]

Yes , I would like the pistons and the oil pan. Let me know how much.

[@richardholdener1727]

pan was tossed-pistons are still there

[@jcanfixall1585]

​@@richardholdener1727I hope you "tossed" the pan in a recycle bin!!! ♻️

[@jwatkins1421]

I have a 2007 gmc Sierra 1500. New body style. That has the LH6 5.3. The LH6 is kinda hard to find but I did find one on marketplace and it is out of a hummer. Is this LH6 wiring harness out of the hummer still going to be the same with my Sierra if I wanted to do a swap?

[@richardholdener1727]

not sure on harness

[@oakisoakahaha4741]

What’s your opinion of a 2004 lm7 life expectancy in a Tahoe mines at 218k seems to run like new but worried lol

[@richardholdener1727]

mine has 330K-runs great

[@hollowell427]

Well i had my fingers crossed that the main bearings werent spun. lol. My cousin has a old 400 sbc but it spun the bearings on a couple of the rods. Hes gonna sell it to me for a $100 . i got a full rotating assembly for a 350 all i need is some main inserts and a set of pistons. gonna build me a 377ci. for cheap. 😂

[@mathewmarzette4067]

#7 always suffers when pcv neglected. There are three updated driver valvecovers

[@shadowopsairman1583]

I only know of the update in 2011 which was for the pcv and the relocation of the port for oil consumption

[@straighttimestirrups]

My #7 is wiped out due to this issue!

[@bee663]

That exhaust valve has baked oil onto it.

[@brianmorris9584]

Hey rich, what source of boost did you have in mind for that motor?

[@richardholdener1727]

might have a few different tested

[@bigbad253]

"There will be boost" Richard Holdener 2023... - should be on a t-shirt.

[@whoisrobzilla]

If a Piston broke in an aluminum block what do you look for ? Walls have grooves but what would be too deep? Would you hone and keep pushing, sleeve? , bore??

[@richardholdener1727]

the sleeve is iron-not aluminum-so it would be the same as an iron block-look for wall damage

[@nordiccowboy3430]

I’m working on my first LS. Why do the pushrods wear like that? The engine I have has some that look like that. Is it caused by bad lifters?

[@richardholdener1727]

lots of miles and dirty or low oil

[@thomasward4505]

Hey on your high-speed footage how many times is that above normal?

[@richardholdener1727]

7

[@bill2178]

if crusty valve was the bad pushrods it’s possible it has valve damage

[@michaelgarrow3239]

Spun crank.. time for a stroker! Good news!!

[@jayomega29]

Saab 9-7 motor?

[@gothicpagan.666]

What's the limit for those main brg. caps? While your in there, machine some registers in the side of the block to make in cross bolted and a set of billet caps, it needs line boring any way🙂

[@richardholdener1727]

we've already made 1500-hp run with stock mains and main bolts-billet caps are not necessary-at that point, you need a block

[@gothicpagan.666]

@@richardholdener1727Long way to pick it up, we're based in England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿.

[@cc23001]

Factory caps are crossed bolted

[@adamlawson7940]

Richard, thank you so much for all tye informative videos! Is there a way i can send you an email? I have a couple questions for you. Kind regards, Adam

[@richardholdener1727]

ask away but [e-mail]

[@DrFiero]

My LH6! Well, that one isn’t MINE as it’s still in my truck {quickly runs to the parking lot to check…}.

[@WildEngineering]

"well we can rebuild it" -We can make him stronger

[@DrFiero]

Faster than it was before… (🎶🎼🎶🎵🥁🥁🎶🎶🎶)

[@gothicpagan.666]

@@DrFiero Start running in slow motion. Better, stronger, faster.

[@richardholdener1727]

Steve Austin, a man barely alive!!!

[@shawnsanders9450]

USE GOOD OIL AND CHANGE IT ON TIME!!

[@christiancarias3420]

Good day sr, where i can purchase good and reliable set of full gaskets, main bearings and rods, lifters set for this LH6 engine?

[@richardholdener1727]

btr

[@christiancarias3420]

@@richardholdener1727 but btr online store? Do you have an email in order to explain detailed what i wanna do

[@jtcustomknives]

I’m doing a V8 swap in a 280zx. I don’t need or want crazy power. 300hp is more then enough as the rear end cant handle it. I was planning on just swapping in a 1970 SBC and upgrade the cam and toss new vortex heads on it. That will put me at about $1000. Is it worth it or find a junkyard gen 3 LS?

[@richardholdener1727]

carb junkyard ls

[@jcanfixall1585]

Find a vortec / L31 5.7, that way you will have a roller block, if you put a carb and headers on it you will have your 300hp also they get very good gas mileage... just make sure you do some research on them so you understand the water bypass and what to do for higher lift cam, you DO NOT need to machine the heads...

[@mattdoylesd]

Can you put BIG Dartin sleeves in it and make a 6.2L?

[@richardholdener1727]

you can make it a 468

[@rgmoffat2072]

Show us what the cam bearings look like. Do you find that LS motors all seem to all have worn “looking” cam bearings? Some say they are line bored at the factory, so they look worn when they really are ok. What is your experience with LS cam bearings.

[@shadowopsairman1583]

Reamed

[@cc23001]

Yeah that's how they look from factory. Dummies on Sloppy Mechanics started the "don't look at the cam bearings" thing and normal people took it as truth

[@richardholdener1727]

you can see copper

[@johndelta00]

That looked like a 58x crank to me. Surprised none of the mains were spun.

[@shadowopsairman1583]

G4 are 58x reluctors

[@alexwhite176]

Its gotta be from afm / dod causing frequent low oil pressure conditions

[@richardholdener1727]

I'm leaning toward the pan, but maybe DOD/AFM

[@jaytownjunkyardfiles1999]

How about a Acura/Honda 3.5 V6 next?

[@richardholdener1727]

J series

[@jaytownjunkyardfiles1999]

@@richardholdener1727 Yes, can you do a description and dyno n/a and with boost?

[@jessebloomquist4788]

I can’t remember correctly been awhile but wernt 4.8 pistons flat and 5.3s were dished , I can’t remember but just a question

[@richardholdener1727]

that is correct-but there are also flat top factory 5.3L pistons in the L33 and LH6 etc...

[@GIGABACHI]

This felt too much like an episode of "l do cars" for comfort. 🤣

[@richardholdener1727]

he does good stuff

[@PRSQUAD88]

I was wondering, will a 5.3 off of a truck crank shaft would fit on one of these aluminum blocks.

[@richardholdener1727]

yes-just get the right gen

[@PRSQUAD88]

@@richardholdener1727 thanks

[@georgecooke9010]

PISTON HIT THE HEAD (SELF ADJUSTING ROD). MR GOODPLIERS REMAN UNDER WRONG SHADE TREE ON OVERCAST DAY.

[@marlomcmillian8937]

Can someone answer this question for me if I put a bigger crank is the balancer different I’m trying to run the car setup

[@richardholdener1727]

bigger crank, as in stroker?

[@marlomcmillian8937]

@@richardholdener1727 yes I got a 408 but having a problem getting the harmonic balancer pulley on and was wondering is there a difference?

[@boxerfan2]

What oilpan do you use if changing?

[@richardholdener1727]

holley

[@justingomez2379]

Do u have any m90 superchargers for sale?

[@richardholdener1727]

yes from the 3800 v6 motors

[@alejandroherrera5371]

I need those free flat top pistons for my 5.3 😂 im in 209 area cali

[@falunbrick]

Every lh6 ive pulled apart has had bearing damage. I think it must be due to that front sump.

[@richardholdener1727]

I'm not a fan of the oil pan

[@austincjett]

I knew there was a bad rod bearing @ 8:19 There was witness marks on the head where the piston had been hitting it.

[@Torquemonster440]

Good eye, that carbon free quench area looked strange to me too... didn't add 2+2 tho.. Nice one. 🍻

[@MrSpartanPaul]

The previous owner must be happy about how much money they saved by not doing oil changes. That thing is nasty inside.

[@larryw5429]

A DOD motor with no oil NNOOOOOOOO LOL! My buddy had two trucks with that junk in them.. 3 quarts of oil every 3000 miles or more lol!

[@pxgodx]

Can you achieve 8k rpm without destroking your ls engine?

[@richardholdener1727]

yes

[@pxgodx]

@@richardholdener1727 how is this achieved? I’m looking into doing an twin turbo LS swap. With so many combinations. I’m looking into a dart short block but still want some rpm’s. This would be EFI. I’ve mostly seen all carb stuff. My goal is to touch the 4 digit mark I’m not power hungry. But to be able to have a high revving 4 digit car is what I want to achieve. And I just had to ask the GOAT of engine combinations.

[@NBC_NCO]

It looks to me that the customer went 12 to 20k miles between oil changes.

[@kraz904]

I’ll buy the oil pan…

[@richardholdener1727]

tossed

[@kingkotkot2341]

What's the root cause of oil starvation 😮

[@richardholdener1727]

having no oil or a restriction

[@Mr80fxe]

Looks like the piston hit the head.

[@Onalky87]

Lh6 with a 24x crank?

[@jamesgeorge4874]

2006 GMT360 Vehicles, yes, 2007 were 58X. But Gen4 none the less....

[@richardholdener1727]

this was on 06

[@danielrizk7170]

Trailblazer engine!

[@sinistersilverado965]

make it a 383

[@kingkotkot2341]

Iron block more robust than aluminium

[@tysonrojas5477]

Blown head gasket and burning oil