GM’s 6.2-liter L87 small-block V-8 is topic to an enormous recall over dangerous crankshafts and/or connecting rods in engines constructed between 2021 and 2024. This earlier L87 V-8, from a 2019 GMC Sierra Denali, is destroyed for a completely completely different purpose—seemingly human error. 

The always-entertaining I Do Automobiles on YouTube tears down an L87 on this video. This instance has lower than 50,000 miles, and the automotive it got here from had an excellent service historical past. Nevertheless it would not take a lot unbolting to disclose an engine with catastrophic injury. And it seems the issue is not GM’s fault. For no matter purpose, the truck had numerous work finished to on the vendor it earlier than buyer supply, and as a commenter who claims to be a GM mechanic factors out, the driving force’s aspect head gasket was put in the other way up.

It is unclear how lengthy the engine ran with its upside-down head gasket, however run it did, till it inevitably overheated. The commenter says that the improperly put in gasket blocks the coolant passages to the top, which severely limits cooling and can end in failure. Which is why the driving force’s-side head seems so horrible, particularly in comparison with the passenger-side head, and even with frequent oil modifications. 

There’s all kinds of carnage deeper within the engine. Two of the connecting rods obtained extraordinarily scorching, and certain locked up the engine, inflicting the destruction we see right here. 

What’s humorous is that there is even the phrase “FRONT” stamped into the top gasket to forestall precisely this type of factor from occurring. However, you actually cannot make the whole lot foolproof.