I am starting to think so!!! The L31 in my 1997 Express rolled down the assembly line with died in 2004 at 57K miles due to hydrolock on startup breaking a rod and sending it through the side of the block at the oil pan rail. Intake gaskets were trash on that engine. 7 yrs old with only 57k miles. Saving grace of the 8.1 is the fact it does not have any water passageways in the intake.
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