Hi guys, I am new to this forum and I want to ask a question that might have been asked already, but that I could not find a search answer for.
My dilema is: I have 1996 Silverado with a 5.7L vortec vin "R" engine that I want to replace the short block with a 5.3L short block. So the question is: can I replace my 5.7L vortec short block with a 5.3L(lets say a 2004) if I use my 5.7L vortec heads and intake manifold? Will the head and intake holes line up? I would appreciate an answer. Reason I want to change the short block is that I feel my 96 is "jinxed" with 5.7L engines. I bought the truck In CL for $1,800 and within a year I have replaced the engine 3 times. Two times were spun bearings and one time the front counterweight of the crank broke completely off. I am retired and do not hot rod my engines. I bought the second and third engine in CL also, but the last engine was from a 2000 Tahoe supposely with 75k miles and I had my 96 heads rebuilt, put in new hydraulic lifters, new oil pump, wires, plugs, distributor, etc. The compression was +/-3 from all 8 cylinders at 150psi and it ran great for 2 months, then started knocking bad, died, and locked up. I supect bad bearings again, so to break the jinx, I want to change the engin by trying out a 5.3L short block if it is possible. Sorry for all the rambling, but I really like my truck but cannot keep it running long enough to enjoy it. I keep throwing good money after bad.
Thanks for listening and hope to get an answer soon so I can start shopping around for a low mileage 5.3L(if it works) short block.