[99 to Life]

I didn't even notice the top engine pics. If it were me, I would pop a main and have a look if a pan comes off. I don't think the studs are torque to yield like the head bolts prolly are. I'v seen engines with that colorization, if it isn't bluish I wouldn't think it was getting too hot or anything. I think the color could be a combo of things, the oil being used (now days all types of admixtures involved) the way the engine was running, the list could go on. If you look at the block it has that same stainish color. You might pop the heads and see the pistons have a lot of carbon build up. Or check the plugs bf you do that. To me, the LS stuff can run way better on way worse than sbc's. But I'v witnessed the most insane sludge in a 305 my buddy tossed in his truck and that thing ran so dang well, you'd never believe it was a sludged up 305.

To me I like to tear completely down and put all new on, but sometimes you just gotta cut the corners, I understand. but a simple bearing check is well worth it. Heck do a compression check too, I found a dead cylinder on two engines by doing that simple check. One engine had a broken piston land. I got 230k on my LS in my daily and it runs good so if you got a low mile LS and want to risk not checking stuff, I'd say the odds are better but like anything, its never a guarantee. I like to run stuff on a start stand prior to putting everything together.