How do I tell what year my 6.0 engine is?

[turboty]

I just bought a 6.0 from a local salvage yard and was wondering how do I know what year the engine was built. I was told it came from an '06 GMC van, but it has a cable throttle body. Is there a VIN plate or code on the block somewhere?

Thanks, TY

[txarkitekt]

Well, this isn't total concrete way to decipher the year and type of 6.0L, but the LQ4 motors came with 317 casting heads. The LQ9s came with 035 casting heads. The only other way to find out is to remove the head from the motor. You might want to do this anyway to go over and fully inspect and clean it before you go off and install it. If the head bolts are of varying sizes, then you have an 03 and older 6.0L. If the head bolts are of all the same size, then you have an 04 and newer. And when you do take the heads off, it is a sure-fire way to discover if it is an LQ4 or LQ9. The LQ9s have flat top pistons--and the LQ4s have dish top pistons.

[brobradh77]

wow Tyler..that was informative..you sound like you know what your talking about and you didnt throw in any gay comments...lol I knew you could do it

[txarkitekt]

Thanks Mister!

[ChevyLee]

Well, this isn't total concrete way to decipher the year and type of 6.0L, but the LQ4 motors came with 317 casting heads. The LQ9s came with 035 casting heads. The only other way to find out is to remove the head from the motor. You might want to do this anyway to go over and fully inspect and clean it before you go off and install it. If the head bolts are of varying sizes, then you have an 03 and older 6.0L. If the head bolts are of all the same size, then you have an 04 and newer. And when you do take the heads off, it is a sure-fire way to discover if it is an LQ4 or LQ9. The LQ9s have flat top pistons--and the LQ4s have dish top pistons.

About the head bolts, in 05+ the lq9 and lq4 head bolts are all the same size.

in 99-04 the lq4 head bolts have 2 sizes. REALLY long and short.
03 an 04 the lq9 head bolts are 2 sizes. Just went threw that my self last month

[SCIV]

Ummm...I think my LQ9 came with 317's?

[ChevyLee]

Ummm...I think my LQ9 came with 317's?

So did mine.

[thunder550]

Yep as far as I know all 6.0L truck motors, regardless of LQ4 or LQ9 have 317 heads.

05+ LQ4 engines got the beefed rods and LS2 style timing chain and cam bearings as well.

[SCIV]

Good breakdown Quik.

[txarkitekt]

From what I read, the 317s cam on the 01 and up LQ4 head. And the 035 came on the 02 and up LQ9. The only differnce between the 317 and 035 is the casting process. The 317 used the sand cast, and the 035 were die cast. Die casting is a more reliable casting process...