Used Engines?
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Used Engines?
I’ve been shopping around for a Cadillac DTS used engine and trying to separate the good listings from the questionable ones. One seller has a cadillac dts engine pulled from a higher‑mileage car, and I’m debating whether it’* worth the gamble since these Northstar setups can be picky if they weren’t maintained right.
For anyone who’* done a swap or bought a used DTS motor, what were the key things you checked before committing? Cooling system condition, head gasket history, oil consumption—anything you wish you’d known ahead of time?
Thanks for any advice!
For anyone who’* done a swap or bought a used DTS motor, what were the key things you checked before committing? Cooling system condition, head gasket history, oil consumption—anything you wish you’d known ahead of time?
Thanks for any advice!
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True Car Nut
Joined: Feb 2015
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I wouldn't ever do this with a Northstar without having seen the engine run first. Low mileage, high mileage, etc. doesn't matter. You'd have to tear it down most of the way to get any real assurance that it is okay.
A pre-AFM LS 5.3 from a Suburban with 200,000 miles? Good odds, might have some lifter noise.
A 3800 S2 from a LeSabre with 200,000 miles? Good odds, probably need to do coolant elbows, a water pump, and upper intake to be safe
A LS 4.8, even from a retired UHaul with a 200,000 miles? Fair odds, might have some lifter noise.
A Northstar, low miles, high miles, whatever? Why was it pulled? Good odds of head gasket issues, cam issues, oil leaks, oil consumption, carbon buildup, carbon damage, overheating, etc. If the car was smashed from behind by a semi, implying that is ran fine immediately prior, and all that survived was the engine, I'd still want to see it run first. They can do well and last a long time IF they always received over-the-top maintenance . . . think old-timer that never passes 3,000 miles without taking it to a dealer to get an oil change and whatever else they call for. He treats his car really nicely besides all of the maintenance. THAT engine is probably okay, unless the head bolts strip out due to normal heat cycles.
You can play the odds, but every Northstar V-8 is at least 15 years old and all have a long history. If your current one isn't too badly damaged, it might be best for you to take it to a shop with experience with these to have them overhaul it.
My $0.02
A pre-AFM LS 5.3 from a Suburban with 200,000 miles? Good odds, might have some lifter noise.
A 3800 S2 from a LeSabre with 200,000 miles? Good odds, probably need to do coolant elbows, a water pump, and upper intake to be safe
A LS 4.8, even from a retired UHaul with a 200,000 miles? Fair odds, might have some lifter noise.
A Northstar, low miles, high miles, whatever? Why was it pulled? Good odds of head gasket issues, cam issues, oil leaks, oil consumption, carbon buildup, carbon damage, overheating, etc. If the car was smashed from behind by a semi, implying that is ran fine immediately prior, and all that survived was the engine, I'd still want to see it run first. They can do well and last a long time IF they always received over-the-top maintenance . . . think old-timer that never passes 3,000 miles without taking it to a dealer to get an oil change and whatever else they call for. He treats his car really nicely besides all of the maintenance. THAT engine is probably okay, unless the head bolts strip out due to normal heat cycles.
You can play the odds, but every Northstar V-8 is at least 15 years old and all have a long history. If your current one isn't too badly damaged, it might be best for you to take it to a shop with experience with these to have them overhaul it.
My $0.02
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