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L31 problem and Tahoe Q's

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4x4_76

1/2 ton status
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Location
Ylämaa, Finland
Today me and my wife went to look a '96 Tahoe, 193 kmiles on it. Overall nice truck, and what best, it has tons of room compared to wifes XJ Jeep :waytogo:

Problem with Tahoe is that it has probably a connecting rod or main bearing failure because the engine lost oil pressure and made nasty knock (according to current owner), and after the engine was fired up the next day it made even louder knock. So it has sat from last December. If we decide to buy it, I'll take the engine apart to see what's really a problem.

Is the bearing failure common with L31, and when I have the engine out, should I just change the head and intake gaskets while I'm on it? Is there something else I should be aware of?
 
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One option to look at is that you can get a L31 long block crate engine from GM for $2,000.00. Although I don't know if that would be possible since you are in Finland.
 
Yeah, I figured it would be best option to do full rebuild, also most expensive. 1300 euros to rebuild kit plus machine work, plus all other stuff that comes up.
Guess I'll try to find a low mileage engine, unfortunately L05 are much easier to find than L31.

What if I get L05, and change the heads and all from L31?
 
Captainfab said:
One option to look at is that you can get a L31 long block crate engine from GM for $2,000.00. Although I don't know if that would be possible since you are in Finland.
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Marshall re-manufactured long block from Rockauto after shipping and taxes would set me back some 2500 euros :doah:
 
4x4_76 said:
Marshall re-manufactured long block from Rockauto after shipping and taxes would set me back some 2500 euros :doah:
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Made some calls and it could be even more spendy to rebuild the engine than to buy a re-manufactured one.
As I suspected, it's not easy to find L31's here. But I tracked down one possibly low mile L31, just waiting to hear back from them.
 
4x4_76 said:
As I suspected, it's not easy to find L31's here. But I tracked down one possibly low mile L31, just waiting to hear back from them.
Click to expand...

Damn, not so low mile engine, 200+ kmiles on odometer. Guess I'll ditch that '96 Tahoe.

There's another one, '95 model, for sale, too. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that '95 has a TBI engine? Is there much difference in fuel mileage between the Vortec and TBI? Is there any other significant difference between '95 and '96?
 
The '95 engine will be a TBI, which is very different from the '96 -2000 L31 Vortec 350. You would not be able to transfer the Vortec injection to the '95 TBI without changing to the Vortec heads also.


4x4_76 said:
Damn, not so low mile engine, 200+ kmiles on odometer. Guess I'll ditch that '96 Tahoe.

There's another one, '95 model, for sale, too. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that '95 has a TBI engine? Is there much difference in fuel mileage between the Vortec and TBI? Is there any other significant difference between '95 and '96?
Click to expand...
 
The bearing problem isn't a Chevy problem, its normaly a no oil or failure to check and change oil consistently problem.

A long block will be your best option. Don't pay too much for tahoe, I've noticed there are tons of tahoe and suburbans for sale that run without engine troubles.
But there's always assurance with knowing the engine is new
 
63chevyll said:
Wow, I just noticed where you were.

So how's the tahoe market over there
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Currently there are two Tahoes that fit to our price range, '96 w/busted engine and that '95 runner. Unfortunately it's at the other side of the country so we haven't had a chance to take a look at it.

It's not too pricey to ship a good Tahoe from states, but it's the tax we have to pay, and if it's late 90's truck there's all kind of stupid screwing with lights.
 
Captainfab said:
The '95 engine will be a TBI, which is very different from the '96 -2000 L31 Vortec 350. You would not be able to transfer the Vortec injection to the '95 TBI without changing to the Vortec heads also.
Click to expand...

Yep, I took my time to study difference between L31 and L05. Not worth to swap parts.

But that '95 complete, well maintained Tahoe, which we'd like to buy.
 
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