cannonball said: (quoted from post at 13:19:53 03/10/13) The 5.3 is a 325 and a completely new design engine...
Cannonball is correct the 5.3 is a 325 and debutted in 1999. Not really like the old generation 327 in any way.
That said they are good engines. If you are looking at used I would recommend trying to buy a late 2003 or newer. The 1999 to early 2003's (4.8's. 5.3's, and even the 6.0's) can be prone to piston slap when they get some miles on them on cold start (it kinda sounds like a diesel clatter). Really it does not hurt anything as the sound goes away once the short skirt pistons expand a little as the engine warms up. Starting in late 2003 a design tweak was done to correct the annoyance.
For towing run the code in the glovebox and see which rear end ratio the truck has. It will be important as these engines like to rev to make power. Here is my experiences with the 1999-2007 generation with 4 speed auto's
4.10 (Will be rare but is a towing beast. Downside is the empty mileage suffers about 1.5 mpg).
3.73 (will provide best balance of towing capability and empty mileage)
3.42 (will provide optimum empty mpg but really only suitable for light towing and I doubt it will ever reach overdrive even towing light).
3.23 (You could not give me this ratio especially if equipped with the common 4 speed automatic tranny).
Regardless of rear end the towing mpg will almost always drop to the 9-12 mpg range. I currently have a 2003 GMC1500 Ext cab longbed 4wd with 4.10 rear axle. Just towed a 1946 Farmall m home (140 miles) 3 weeks ago on a heavey 12,000 GVW trailer and it handled it like a breeze. Tows my campers fine too. 95k miles on truck and not a single problem with engine.
This post was edited by rankrank1 at 07:13:18 03/10/13 2 times.
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - Hydraulic Basics - Part 2 - by Curtis Von Fange. In the last entry to this series we gave a brief overview of hydraulic system theory, its basic components and how it works. Now lets take a look at some general maintenance tips that will keep our system operating to its fullest potential. The two biggest enemies to a hydraulic system are dirt and water. Dirt can score the insides of cylinders, spool valves and pumps. Wate
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
1964 I-H 140 tractor with cultivators and sidedresser. Starts and runs good. Asking 2650. CALL RON AT 502-319-1952
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
