Just wanting some input before I buy a Craigslist LS1 and end up regretting it. So there is a guy selling an LS1 from a 98 Camaro that he states needs a bearing replaced, but he's not sure what bearing.

I am fine with buying an engine that needs rebuilt, because I planned on having one rebuilt anyways. But I have no clue how much to offer, because he won't say his price.

Its a full 5.7L long block (intake, heads, front drive acc, etc...) Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

 

Is it a complete dropout motor? (with accessories, oil pan and the like) with or without tranny?, how many miles, can you see it run, etc...

 

Its just the motor, but it is complete oil pan to intake. He said there's 120K miles on it and no I can't hear it run.

 

i would off $500 see where that goes. prob would go up to 800 if it were me. having the accessories saves you alot

 

Those were my thoughts pretty much. I offered $400 and I believe I've got it locked in at $500. Hoping to go check it out tomorrow after work, only sucks cause its 3 1/2 hours away haha

 

If you need to go through the engine you're better off with a later 99+ engine. Avoid the 98 unless you can get it cheap, it doesn't need much work, and you don't mind a few headaches.

 

You're buying a core longblock. I don't think I'd offer $500.

Not much about the '98 that is a lot worse than the later blocks, other than the steel cylinder liners weren't as thick as some of the later versions. If it only needs bearing/crank work, then the cylinders may clean up with just a glaze break.

But, I would not recommend starting an LS swap with a longblock. A dropout with harness and computer is a much better foundation.

 

Went and looked at the engine last night, and all that is wrong (in my judgement) with it is a rocker arm or arms. He said it would start to make noise around 2500 RPM, but nothing much before that.The "bearing" that he stated is out was from him finding needle bearings in the oil pan. Been reading on here and LS1tech for quite a while and have seen this happen a lot with the stock rockers. The engine turns over great with a socket and ratchet on the crank bolt, put plugs in and feels like it has good compression. I'm not going for a big time power build and I'm not really in any hurry to build it, so waiting for good deals and buying piece by piece is fine with me.

It came with all the front accesories, including the A/C compressor, Condenser, Accumulator (probly just get thrown in the trash), and stock Manifolds. I bought all of it for $425 so I don't feel that I got hurt.

 

If the needle bearings didn't destroy the whole thing you got a steal. Even so accessories usually cost more than that.

 

Took the pan off while at the guys house and the cylinder walls looked clean, no scoring or gouging. I'll dig in to it a little deeper after I get it off the truck and on my engine stand. If it turns out a junk motor, then I'll just start the search again... the hunt is all the fun isn't it? Haha

 

Need to check the engine bearings, mains, connecting rods, cam ect.. Even if one of those rods got into the oil galleys, it might still be serviceable? If not at least all you need now is a usable short block.

 

I just sold an unknown core long block for $600. Had it priced at $700 obo, (was willing to take a lot less) someone offered me $600 so I sold it. I think $500 should be a good deal for both parties as others here have mentioned.

 

Take the oil pump out and inspect the gears. Will tell you right away if a needle bearing got sucked up

 

I'll do that some time this week hopefully. I'm guessing that everyone is doing the Trunion upgrade to the rockers still? Or is there something better out there for the cost now?

 

Honestly, no. Trunion upgrade is still the more cost effective, especially since you aren't going to be running a high HP build.