How to verify mileage on newer engine swap?

[K85 Octane]

I'm beginning to look at LS engine/trans for sale ads more seriously now, since that's what's holding my C10 back atm. There is a local scraper that tends to sell a lot of these combos. I won't buy anything I can't start and check for codes. Here's the question:

Is there any way to verify mileage other than looking at the gauges?
I ask because I was recently told my 2001 s10 saves the mileage on the gauges and there is no way to get an accurate number other than by the gauges. (I swapped gauges at one point, broken etc) So I'm hoping the full size newer trucks fixed this problem, so I can check real mileage logged into the computer. If someone wants to, they can keep a few sets of low mileage gauges and swap them around, calling these 1999-20?? trucks low mileage. Scrapers tend to not sell the gauge clusters, unless you're willing to pay $300 for one.


Also, I want to run the DBW set up but is there a newer year I should stop at? Like 2003-2007? Because the 2008+ is a bitch or whatnot example.

 

[Stomis]

Forget about needing to start it. Run down this list.

Visual inspection
Shove a boroscope down the plugs and check cylinder wall condition
Turn it over with wrench
Compression test


You can have a 200,000 mile motor with highway miles thats in better shape than 80,00 miles short ran and beat up on during a short drive. LS motors stay in spectacular shape from the modern fuel injection...

 

[ryoken]

modern EFI don't do d*ck if the oil is changed every 30,000 miles...

 

[Stomis]

modern EFI don't do d*ck if the oil is changed every 30,000 miles...

This is true but apples to apples the LS would be in way better shape than a carbd motor abused the same Lol.

 

[Russell]

And even there with a proper synthetic oil, periodic filter changes and oil monitoring a 30k oil change is perfectly reasonable.

That said, don't buy from a wrecking yard. Buy private and you'll actually get all the stuff you want and know what the actual mileage is.

 

[muddermilitia]

To see the age of a motor, you need to remove the crankshaft. Cut it in half, and then count the rings. Sorry I had to

 

[Russell]

To see the age of a motor, you need to remove the crankshaft. Cut it in half, and then count the rings. Sorry I had to

 

[Babaganoosh]

I bought a engine for my sisters car from a junk yard and was able to confirm the mileage by the vin number. I went to work and ran a vehicle inquiry on the gm website. Lucky for me they listed the car was a total loss at 6k miles and was maintained by a dealer.

 

[scottsdale86]

many times dealer service records will have large gaps in them due to the vehicle changing hands or not being serviced at the dealer. It will tell you the last time it was at a dealer and if that date is close to when the vehicle was salvaged then you are probably pretty close. I don't believe salvage yards for as far as I can throw them. They are some crooked sum bitches.