Had a '97 with the 350 and was pleased with the truck while I had it. Looking at finding another '95-'99 because the seats were comfortable for me. I recently heard from someone that '96-'99 Vortec engines were a problem and if you want a 350, it should be '95 and older. Can someone reflect some light on this please.

What? No way. The 96 and up Vortec's are better IMO. It's when they changed to the 5.3's in '99 when the trouble began. They refere to them as slaperados. Most have piston slap and sound like a beater.

I think either way you go your not chosing the wrong engine. I have an all original 94 silvy with the 350 and everything is totally originall(except i just changed plugs and wires) and i have 185,000 miles on it. My uncle has a 96 sierra with a 350 vortec and he has something like 250,000 miles on it, with everything major original.

As far as I know the only trouble spot for 350 vortec engines were intake manifold gaskets. Good reliable engine. The early 5.3 engines might make noise, but they are stone reliable also.

As far as I know the only trouble spot for 350 vortec engines were intake manifold gaskets.

He had mentioned that, but also something with the main bearings and the crank sliding front to back. Not sure where he got the info. I can't believe this would be that much of an issue, maybe just a few cases.

He had mentioned that, but also something with the main bearings and the crank sliding front to back. Not sure where he got the info. I can't believe this would be that much of an issue, maybe just a few cases.
I had this problem on our 97 Yukon with the 350 Vortec engine. They would do nothing about it during the regular warranty, but I bought they GMPP and they fixed it under the extended warranty. I don't know how many were affected, but ours started knocking loudly at start-up at about 25,000 miles. No problems after the crank and bearings were replaced. If your going to buy one, make sure it sits overnight and check for the knock on immediate start up. (you can't miss it) After the first start, you may not hear it all day. BTW I liked the vortec much better than the regular 350 in my '94.

The other problem the vortec had was leaky intake manifold gaskets. Look for a puddle under the truck. Gaskets replaced one time. Good luck in your hunt.

I have a '98 and love it. I did replace the head gasket at 145,000 but it has been a great truck and my wife wont let me even talk about trading it for something newer.

96-98 were vortec engines, they do have intake manifold gasket issues but other than that they are great motors and have alot of power IMO. 87-95 were TBI still good engines but no where near the power.

As mentioned, the achillies heel of the 96-98 VORTECS is the intake gaskets. They also though had a higher percentage of rod bearing failures than the old style 350's had. I've seen a few that spun rod bearings for no reason at around 100,000-125,000 miles. The issue seemed to be more predominate in the vans from what I have read and seen.

cant you take the older 350tbi's and drop vortec heads on em?

cant you take the older 350tbi's and drop vortec heads on em?

Yes, and GM makes an intake so you can keep your TBI and use the vortecs.

2000 5.3l I had is still running strong with few issues in 180,000+ miles. It does have the "slaperado" sound as someone stated above. On cold starts it sounds like a big rig diesel rattling and knocking around. Never had any problems with the engine though. GM had lots of complaints on this from the '99 silverado introduction through 01 or maybe even 02 years. Many weren't happy with it and GM's response that it was "normal". However after 8 yrs and many miles it never proved to be a problem.

2000 5.3l I had is still running strong with few issues in 180,000+ miles. It does have the "slaperado" sound as someone stated above. On cold starts it sounds like a big rig diesel rattling and knocking around. Never had any problems with the engine though. GM had lots of complaints on this from the '99 silverado introduction through 01 or maybe even 02 years. Many weren't happy with it and GM's response that it was "normal". However after 8 yrs and many miles it never proved to be a problem.

+1...my 2000 4.8 with over 160k will make a little noise when shes starts but its normal...the piston skirts are really short on the genIII so when they get a little wear in the cylinders they 'slap' around until they get warmed up and expand...def. dont be scared of it...once it starts to make noise, i change the oil and it goes away...lots of performance parts for these motors as well

At my work we have a 1999 sierra with the 5.3 it only slaps when cold it has a 195,000 The motor has been flawless only a water pump and spark plugs. The tranny and rear diff have been rebuilt but the motor hasn't been touched

my old man has a 96 350 vortec ext cab two tire fire and that thing has balls to 80 then she gets alittle flat! pretty normal on a pickup! tell you wut though he had it specially ordered with the limited slip rear end and she lays some nice posi tracks!

my old man has a 96 350 vortec ext cab two tire fire

Two tire fire must mean 2wd?:HiHi: Haven't heard that term before, but I like it.

My dad has a 93 1500. Two weeks ago our mechanic pulled one head off for the the first time to replace a head gasket and adjust the valves. It blew the gasket when someone let it run on a hot day while he measured a roof so the truck would not be too hot inside and it blew the radiator. It has over 426,000 miles and that was the first time it had the head off. We used to pull skid loaders and what ever else around that needed towed. Very good truck.

My dad a few years back regulary serviced a TBI 350 with over 400k on it and at that time the odometer was broke and the owner said it had been broke several years. The truck had to have had well over 500k on it when the owner got caught in a hail storm and they totaled it. Owner bought the truck back and her brother uses it on a farm in Iowa. My dad put a tranny in the truck and a couple of clutches, but the motor has never been apart and always had Rotella 15/40 in it and was changed at 3000 miles. My uncle also has a 2000 Yukon XL that has 250k on it with a 5.3 in it thats never been apart, as said earlier you can't go wrong with any of them, all of them are good motors.

as said earlier you can't go wrong with any of them, all of them are good motors.

I never heard of any problems about the Vortec until now. Sounds like the few problems they did have are nothing to worry about.

My Father bought a 1995 1500 with the 5.7 350 new, he passed away 5 years ago and I got the truck for my son, it was well maintained the whole time since my Father had it, the truck has 170,000 miles on it and I taught my son how to keep it well maintained, never had a problem with the engine, trans went out a year ago, had it rebuilt and truck is running strong. I've never had a problem with any of the 350 engines I've owned, as long as you take good care of them and maintain them, they'll last!