Any chance the AFM, DOD or whatever it is they are calling cylinder deactivation might have been the culprit? I’ve read some not too cool stuff about the earlier version, and that folks were ditching that setup and putting in a conventional cam, lifters and other bits2012. I got it for a song and have put a grip of miles on it. I am going to yank it appart and decide what direction to go. It started and ran as needed to load and off load. Sounds like a rod but I am unfamiliar with the 5.3 failure points. It still runs smooth, just sounds like you are banging the block with a hammer.
Young me says 6.0 (or whatever the next size up). Might as well do cheap long tubes. Old me says check the 5.3 reman prices. Cheap me says rebuild kit with an RV cam or whatever.
I got it home this afternoon. 21 hours from dead to at the shop. My tow rig was the victim so I had to rent a 15ft uhaul and car trailer. The truck fit fine (like 2 inches left) but was probably a trite over weight on the trailer.
The kids had a blast on the recovery. 15 gallons of fuel and $260 for the rental with insurance and miles (158 round trip)
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