5.7 vortec thrown rod, need block specs

So I just bought a 97 chev K1500 with a 5.7 vortec, Picked it up for $400. The radiator was cracked and from what I can guess they blew the head gasket, kept puttin water in it and drivin it and turned the oil into choclate milk, eventually they threw a rod. I'm tearin into it this weekend to see if the heads are still good so i can get a short block. My question is, what year block are applicable to this year engine? Havin trouble findin this info, any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, Erik  

Welcome to the community. Just sit tight, some of our regulars should be able to help you out.  

I greatly appreciate it, hopin a block from an earlier year might work, Thanks again  

well.. i found  this list

http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/_res/pdf/EnginePdf/Component%20Parts%20Specifications%20and%20RPO%20List.pdf

you engine looks like it is on page 5... an L31...  that was produced from 96 to 2002...

what ever you do, if you buy a used motor,  don't turn in the engine core until you have the truck on the road finished..  the junk yard just wants it for the weight.. to strip any left over parts off of and to sell it to the scrap guy.. let them wait.


for those who collect information.. that seems to be the complete RPO list back to the early 70s

this is what the gm sales says about their L31 crate long block motor..
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NAL-12530283/

Got a 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, or other GM pickup with a tired, sick, or broken engine? GM Performance has exactly what you need. Their 350 c.i.d. L31-R long block assemblies are built up from 4-bolt main blocks with one-piece rear main seals. To this, GM adds a nodular-iron crankshaft, powdered-metal connecting rods, and hypereutectic aluminum pistons. You also get power-producing Vortec cylinder heads with 1.94 in. intake valves and 1.50 in. exhausts, and 64cc combustion chambers that yield a gas-pump friendly 9.4:1 compression ratio. This combination is paired up with a roller cam that has 0.414 in. of intake lift and 0.428 in. for the exhausts. Duration at 0.050 in. of lift is 191 degrees for the intakes and 196 for the exhausts, with 111 degrees of lobe separation. These engines come complete with an oil pan, timing cover, valve covers, and harmonic balancer. The long block assemblies are designed to fit 1996-2000 full size Chevy/GMC trucks and 1996-2002 Chevy/GMC full size vans.


so any 96 to 2002 gm pick up or van .. with a R in the 8th position will bolt in..  make sure that you don't get one with spray paint on it.. engines with spray paint.. are usually cash for clunkers engines and are seized..




( reason to make the junk yard wait for their core..  you never know if everything is going to work until you get it in and drive it 20 to 50 miles.. with a scan tool handy.. )  i have had bosses send back motors.. that i needed parts off of to finish the job as they were broken on the used motor ...) i have had the junk yards send a slightly different motor... and the last item does not fit.. so i had to start again.. except.. the boss got rid of the original.. clean the shop.. get rid of that..  where the core charge money..))))))).. i am so glad i don't work there anymore.


have fun..   if you have remote oil filters.. you will have to somehow clean the hoses and filter adaptors..  

please replace the fuel line Orings.   and all the coolant hoses..  examine the ignition coil for external leakage.. examine the distributer cap and rotor..

and the most important thing.. be sure to hook up the ground wires...  leave one off.. you may have problems later on..  if they did not need them.. gm would not have put them there..  

Thanks Wayne...always to the rescue.