Engine ideas please....
 

So I'm looking at putting another engine in the 82' Blazer. Right now it appears it has a mild 305 with bottom end work already done previously. Currently I changed the main bearing and rod bearings and the crank showed signs of some overheating, scaring, etc. I'm still having a knock in the #2 piston so I'm looking at replacing the whole thing.
Here are a few of my question:
1. If I buy a rebuilt long block; will my current Eldenbrok manifold, carb, acc brackets, etc bolt up to a 350 block?
2. Is it a mojor task to install a TBI set up in it?

I'm just starting to research this... I'm pretty new to the whole "engine" side of things... my budget is about $1500 with my dad/brothers and I doing the labor part. Also I'm looking for gas mileage... not just torque etc.

Any suggestions?!

Thanks as always!
Anthony

Re: Engine ideas please....
 

If you want mpg i would look in a ls and 4l80 you can get one the lq truck engines cheap.

Re: Engine ideas please....
 

A good option would be a longblock from GM Performance Parts...

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NAL-12499529/

But, it's over budget. I'd say look into your local parts stores, ie o'reilly's, advance auto parts, etc. and see if they offer a longblock that will drop in. I think if you stick with an 80-85 GM V8 block most everything should transfer over. An LSx engine swap would be very nice for both power and mileage but $1500 is way short of getting it in and running reliable. If it were me on that budget I would look for a running old pos truck for around $500 or so and transfer the engine to your blazer. The ideal situation would be to get something with a warranty for piece of mind.

Re: Engine ideas please....
 

They may be cheap these days, but I don't think he will get it down with a 1500.00 budget

If it were me and I had a 1500.00 budget, I would look at finding a running 88-91 Burb. I have seen them with fairly low mileage for a decent price. Buy the motor or the entire truck and sell of the remains.


SBTork- I guess I should have scrolled down the page and read your post before responding...;)

Re: Engine ideas please....
 

I second parting out a 89-91 burb. If you don't already have an overdrive trans, you can get that, too. That, and the FI setup. It might be a lot less hassle to use an aftermarket harness if you are not sure about wiring it up, but it isn't really that bad. The only downdide is pulling two dashes completely apart to get all the wiring you need.

If you do decide to go with a crate engine, everything from your 305 will work just fine. A 350 may actually make your mileage go up (probably not drastically, though) just by having the torque to get it to move. Even injected, I doubt you will see anything over 20, probably more realistically in the 15-18 MPG range.

Re: Engine ideas please....
 

Thanks for the input and advise... here's a few options I found today:

1. Reputeably engine shop will sell a 305 long block for $850 O.T.D. and $1050 for a 350 O.T.D... both with 12/12K mile warranty. This same shop will install for an additional $750 and it will increase the warranty to 18mth/18K miles.
2. Called a Pick and pull and they had a 305 complete w/85K miles for $350 O.T.D. or a "freshened up" complete 350 for $750 O.T.D and me doing the labor. These both came with a 90 warranty only.

Sooooo any wise input from the people who have been thru this before?!?!

I wasn't planning on sticking an engine in it this soon... definitely caught me by surprise.

Thanks,
Anthony

Re: Engine ideas please....
 

Anthony- The age old saying is their no replacement for displacement. There is nothing "wrong" with a 305, but a 350 is the way to go.

If you have the extra cabbage the deal at the local shop sounds pretty good.

Re: Engine ideas please....
 

thats still kinda pricey for a 350. id keep looking around if u can

Re: Engine ideas please....
 

Anthony - If you can do the work, and it seems like you can, go with the 350 for $1050 O.T.D. and install it with your helpers. It's hard or impossible for any company to warranty an engine out any longer than 12/12 because they don't know how you are using it. It seems like a decent deal.
I see you say "reputable" engine shop, do you know of anyone that has had work done by them? Just asking if you have any first hand experience.

Re: Engine ideas please....
 

A grand for a fresh 350 is a good deal if they're doing it right, the warranty seems a safe bet that they're building good motors. See what kind of cam they're using, they're probably not bothering with stock. If it has a nice RV cam in it the motor will make a really nice driver.

Re: Engine ideas please....
 

Keep in mind there might be some incidental costs that will sneak up. I would go ahead and replace the water pump and hoses while you are there, just to be safe. If installing it yourself doesn't affect the warranty, I would say go for the rebuilt 350, if you are comfortable with the shop. I wouldn't waste your time with another 305.

You can probably get it all swapped out in a weekend, if you have the hoist and all ready to go. My advice is to take your time, clean everything up as you go, and have fun.

Re: Engine ideas please....
 

After replacing mine myself, I would pay to have it done if I had the money. I couldn't find a place to do it for me at the time. But I was doing it all by myself. With help, it may not be that bad.

Re: Engine ideas please....
 

I haven't actually had work done by them... but some of the folks that I know around town have pointed me towards them. There are 2 places here in town that are known for egine rebuilding (United Engine Specialists, and Means Motors). I had my a engine done by UES back in the 90's but it seems they're not reutable as they use to be... and they are a little higher as well as not the longer warranty. Means on the other hand... I heard better about them currently... and they are lesser w/a longer warranty. So that's probably who I will go with... too me it's just a big coin to swallow!

Re: Engine ideas please....
 

Yeah when I visited with the owner yesterday we had went over that... he mentioned the water pump. I just installed belts and hoses last week when I was in it to remove the geardrive... so there wont be cost there. Morelikely the plug wires, cap, etc thou.

Re: Engine ideas please....
 

Yeah he mentioned it will have a RV cam installed as well a step up on the quality/style of pistons I believe (still have to get that clarified).

Re: Engine ideas please....
 

sounds like you have a plan.

Re: Engine ideas please....
 

That doesn't sound like too bad of a deal, Anthony.

Four Star engines used to be what everybody used when I was growing up. I think they may have been in Hutchinson, though. A lot closer to us out in the sticks.

Re: Engine ideas please....
 

Yeah now I just need to balls up and act on it!!! :lol:

I could of done just sooo much more to the Blazer... instead of spending it on the guts of it.

Re: Engine ideas please....
 

Take a few pics of your progress and post.

Re: Engine ideas please....
 

True, it's a decent amount of money to spend on something you thought was fine. But look at it this way, it's probably going to be a one time deal, it should not have to be done again for a LOOOONG time. That's the silver lining I would be forced to see :lol:

Re: Engine ideas please....
 

Very true ^^... well I went down and finished up the details late this morning... and left it there. It'll be getting a 350, RV cam, Forged pistons and a double timing chain... the guy is straight up... I asked about the up charge on the above mentioned... he said that'll be included and not to worry about it. I'm convienced that I took the correct route this time... I normally try to do all my stuff on my own... but not this time (the $ difference didnt seem worth to me anyways). So by next week it'll have a new "heart" :)

Re: Engine ideas please....
 

I have the same basic setup in my '86 Jimmy. You'll be pleased with your decision.

Don't forget the pics!!

Good Luck,

Ken

Re: Engine ideas please....
 

yup,good choice anthony.i don't think that's too bad a deal.iv'e been kicking around the crate motor route and their triple that for anything that i want.your getting the most common engine on the earth.part's are everywhere and cheap.easy to add power later.and like ol kenny said........pics man

Re: Engine ideas please....
 

:metal:Here's the pic from this morning... it's out!!