This is what i did and it's awesome.
Within 1 month i was up and running, way better then new and with a 5 year unlimited warranty.gripwitmer's 2008 Silverado 1500 LTZ Crew Cab 5.3 Restore Project

 

What is the history with the engine or truck? You've owned for some time and serviced regularly? Why does it need a rebuild?

I just finished tearing down my 06 Suburban 2500 LQ4. Bought it with like 225k some 4 years ago. Pretty clean. Now at 262k and it had an intermittent lifter tick that was bugging me.

I was originally going to do top end job (mild cam, lifters, head gaskets and remachined heads), but wound up removing the block from the truck to replace the cam bearings (showed a bit of wear, which I later discovered is kinda normal.)

Anyways, I replaced the cam bearings, rod/main bearings and did a quick dingleberry ball hone on the cylinders and new piston rings (reused pistons.) The wear on the bearings and cylinders was no bad at all, very little wear. Certainly could have gone further without messing with the bottom end, but figured just go through it all.

I'm nearing the 500 mile break in period, but very happy with it so far. I spent around $1300, plus some tools like harmonic balancer puller, PS pump pulley puller, etc

 

Nice job, i wish i had the knowledge and patience to do that.
Keep us posted on your new rebuild, i just have over 1500 miles on mine and knock on wood, all is well and no oil usage.

 

If it's still running well, there is no reason to do either. We've had several members with well over 300k on their Vortec 5.3's.

 

Something really wrong with the engine? If not, why spend money to rebuild or swap? If yes, go for it.

Why do people consider rebuilding or swapping engines like it’s preventative maintenance? Guess we’ll never know. 🤷‍♂️

Hell… My 07.5 had 257K+ when I sold it and didn’t need a rebuild or swap. My 2016 has 222K+ and it sure as hell doesn’t need a rebuild or a swap.

 

I'll run them till they stop running haha.
Best to buy a core motor or something cheap. Rebuild it and swap it in one day. Then sell your old one if it was still running without any noises.

 

What it boils down to is preference, then reliability. If i gets you down the road then it's fine, be on top of it so you know it's going to get you down the road and back.
Perspective.

 

My truck has over 240K miles

id change the oil in the engine, transmission, rear differential, flush the brakes with clean fluid, and change the power steering fluid.
Then I'd drive it another 100k before i thought of this again.

 

It mostly depends on how the body and frame look, if they are both in good shape, what is the problem with the motor? Does it knock, rattle? If nothing but mileage, I would just change the fluids and keep rolling down the road. My 03 Silverado 1500 has 234,990 miles on it, and it still runs good. It's how good the upkeep has been done that keeps the truck on the road. Reason for edit, put wrong miles, was too low.

 

Just trying to consider the best option to make it last another 20 years.
Thanks for all of the advice.
Seems like I should just leave it alone.

 

What i do is slowly find used engines and transmissions.
Rebuild them and have them waiting for the fateful day.
I have a 5.3 and 4l60 set aside for my wife's tahoe. Still looking for a transfer case for it.
for my 2500hd i have most of the parts to assemble my new engine for it and i have a spare transmission and transfer case.

So if i have a failure i swap them in and go. Then rebuild the one that failed.

My buddys think im crazy but im the one they call to come tow their new trucks when they have problems. So to me it makes sense to slowly accumulate parts and have spares.
My truck has 430,000+ miles on it with original engine and replaced transmission and transfer case once.

Id gladly replace engine and transmission every 250k miles in my old beaters.

 

I personally would run it till it actually breaks then rebuild or replace at that point. Get every inch of life out of the engine.

 

Go North @txfarmtruck ..... While they go south for cheap rust free trucks .... Go North for cheap used engines and pay freight to get them here.

Then sell them and make a bundle from people like yourself searching for low mile used engines 🤣 🤣 🤣

While I would feel confident on rebuilding some engines ...... Modern engines just require a different level of work.
One quick example is the hone the cylinders will require .... On my 49 Dodge or a 51 Ford, I probably can use a 4" cup wire wheel on my grinder and get a satisfactory hone. For the old cast iron rings.

On a newer engine in the 70's they came out with better quality rings .... They require a smoother hone to seal.
Just saying there is like 3 different styles of honing and quality ..... the newer they get the difference is more crucial.
Buying a rebuilt engine and turning yours in for a core is the easiest way to go.

My 1991 truck has over 400K miles on it ..... it has issues and not perfect ..... But it runs and drives down the road very nicely.
I fully expect to keep it another 20 years ...... If I'm alive .... Just taking care of the small stuff as it occurs is a huge help. .... Do not let it pile up.

I still say when you take care of the vehicle as time goes on .... when it needs a new engine it is simply a no brainer answer.

My wife old 1993 Caravan that has nice body, paint, interior, AC works good .... transmission is rebuilt, axles, struts, shocks, tires,fuel pump, the vehicle is in excellent condition for 35 years old .... I have to stick another engine in it.
Just how you get the new engine is up to you ...... nothing I would want to do at home in my small garage. With the basic tools I have.

Same time I'm currently swapping engines in that car

Frigging jack on my engine crane took a dump .... I just got the replacement delivered today .... soon I will have "Lady Belle" up and running again.

Just take care of them and you too can drive 75 or 35 year old vehicles.