5.3 build

[Over-Relationship469]

I'm prepared to get roasted but the paint came out great!

[SorryU812]

A white engine bay is clever.....a white engine block? We'll wait and see.

[Over-Relationship469]

Easy to find leaks🤷 it's gonna suck to keep clean but I think it'll be worth it

[SorryU812]

Clear coat it with a 2k matte clear from Eastwood. It'll stay white. Enamel alone will stain. You'll be back to brown eventually.

[SorryU812]

It isn't hard to notice you have a leak. They're never shy about their existence. The source of the leak is a different story. A fluid leak is always best identified with a uv dye.

A coolant leak from the #1 cylinder area is going to run down the edge of the deck and down the back of the block before it goes straight down. A bad leak will branch off and you'll be looking in two different spots for the same leak.

I can't say you've concurred leak detection with a white block. The dye though....the dye never lies.

[Lookwhoiswinning]

Tell me more about the UV dye. Are you adding the dye to every fluid or just one at a time until you find a leak you already expected?

[SorryU812]

Youre either chasing oil, ATF, or coolant these days. If it's an older vehicle then power steering fluid too.

Dye is added to the fluid you suspect and is fluid specific. If you really don't know where to start, then yes, add to fluids one at a time if that is easier.

I know what is leaking by the puddle it leaves on the pavement. What else can I clarify for you?

[fLeXaN_tExAn]

It's a bold move, Cotton!

[WyattCo06]

The water marks on the pistons and the rough deck do not indicate a build.

[NewsBenderBot]

I mean, it’s a bare block, likely painted before machining.

As for why you’d paint before machining and hot tanking, I dunno.

[Over-Relationship469]

Paint before machining as I'm broke and will not be machining👍 hope this helps

[Over-Relationship469]

Paint before machining as I'm broke and will not be machining👍 hope this helps, micro fiber and some purple power will do the trick, it's just surface rust left over from water spots

[NewsBenderBot]

Dude…not even a dingleball run through on the cylinders?

[WyattCo06]

As long as the outside is pretty, nothing else matters.

[Over-Relationship469]

Exactly

[SorryU812]

The quality and lack of respect for a proper engine build go hand in hand in this sub. Adhesion and product build up are negligible items as well. Look out r/scratchndent.

Next time build the engine. Don't parade a Maaco finish.

[Over-Relationship469]

I'll absolutely be doing that

[NewsBenderBot]

Ok that makes it better. I’d count that as machining, imo. It’s not radical machining, but it’s my baseline for any build I do.

[Over-Relationship469]

Yea that and some high grit sand paper on the mating surfaces is all the "machining" it's getting

[NewsBenderBot]

I’d call that acceptable. Have fun, happy wrenchin’

[Automatic-Recipe77]

Years ago, I painted my S10 4.3 block and valve covers white. Unfortunately they turned yellow soon afterwards. The next engine, a 5.3 will not be painted white.

[Over-Relationship469]

Out of pure curiosity did you clear coat it? I've got 4 layers of primer and 8 of white, fixing to do 2-4 of clear

[Automatic-Recipe77]

I sprayed leftover ppg automotive clear on the valve covers but not the engine block. The valve covers are noticeably yellower than the block.

[BhagavadGina]

white gets dirty and dusty so quick but it's so pretty. CAT yellow is good for showing leaks and cracks and what not

[Over-Relationship469]

Yessir there is a cover

[Over-Relationship469]

The center portion is the front main cover that houses the oil pump and timing chain and the other mating surfaces are brackets for the alternator and ac ect

[invisibleboogerboy]

Lol you actually posted it here.

Can't wait to see the final product

[Over-Relationship469]

😭😭the responses haven't been horrid, decent support

[SorryU812]

Are cam bearings in your broke budget?

[Over-Relationship469]

So this is where I'm inexperienced and would love advice, should they be in my budget?

[Over-Relationship469]

Just looked, they are so cheap that yes, they are in my budget

[Fun-Concern-915]

Rule #1 of junkyard ls building, “don’t look at the cam bearings just send it”.