vortec motor longevity?

[coreys87]

dads friend has a 97 2500 ext cab short box truck. frame is amazing body has some dents(not worried about) and normal paint fade and such. my only concern is it has 240,000 miles on it. how long do these motors normally last? i can get the truck for $1200 and the interior is very clean. its also an automatic

 

[oneluckypops]

my 96 is 330,000 on it, still runs strong. But could defintly be stronger.

If you have an opertunity to you may consider checking a few things on the truck before you buy it.
1. Oil Pressure at first start up ( Engine at Ambient temperature)
2. Oil pressure after a Drive ( Engine at normal operating tempurature 195*)
3. Pull the Plugs and do a compression test on the engine.

 

[coreys87]

I planned on checking the oil psi. Guess compression wouldnt hurt. Whats good compression?

 

[oneluckypops]

I planned on checking the oil psi. Guess compression wouldnt hurt. Whats good compression?

Million dollar question there. aslong as its avove 120 I wouldnt be scared of it. You do know that when checking compression you should have NO MORE then a 10% varience from the lowest to the Highest cylinder.

Also when checking the compression you will get best results if you unplug the main Injector. That disables the injectors from firing causing the cylinders to wash out while there is no spark going to the motor from having the plugs removed while doing the test.

 

[coreys87]

If you dont unplug the injector would it make the comlression higher or lower. Also what else might be wore out

 

[bucket]

IMHO, for $1200 there shouldn't even be a question. Generally, any vehicle that runs/drives good, looks decent, and has heat is worth at least 1K. Working AC adds a few hundred to that and a nice interior bumps it up too.

As long as the oil pressure is above the red at a hot idle, you can't go wrong. That's my two cents anyway.

 

[coreys87]

We think alike! Lol im gonna go for it. 4x4 makes it worth it

 

[coreys87]

With this amount of mileage, what else could go bad besides the obvious tranny and motor?

 

[Jims86]

With this amount of mileage, what else could go bad besides the obvious tranny and motor?

If it was me, and this truck ran well, the only things I would do is go through and change the fluids and filters, service all of the wheel bearings, and drive the crap out of it!

 

[oneluckypops]

If it was me, and this truck ran well, the only things I would do is go through and change the fluids and filters, service all of the wheel bearings, and drive the crap out of it!

only servicing that can be done is replacing them. GMT400 trucks are IFS and use a hub assembly. Atleast 7 out of 10 times when the bearings are bad you will get an ABS light. No sense it replacing a good part if its not needed. FYI the Parts store bearings will NOT last aslong as the OEM bearings so dont change them unbtill you HAVE to.

 

[coreys87]

i planned on changing the rear end fluid tranny and motor and driving the bitch. lol

 

[bucket]

I'd check the intake gaskets for coolant leakage before driving it too much. Also keep the door hinges lubed so you don't end up killing the bushings and door latch.

 

[coreys87]

he changed his story and price to 1500. i passed. lol