What should I do about my '72 350 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

72swb4me · 08-02-2005, 11:27 AM

I spoke to a shop about reviving my '72 350. They said they would do a remanufactured longblock job for $850. Below is what that entails:

Bore and hone the cylinders
Grind & polish the crankshaft
High-performance 3 angle valve job
Resurface heads

New parts:
Rod, main, cam bearing
Camshaft
Front & rear main seal
Oil pump & lifters
Timing component set
Freeze plugs
Valve seals
Complete gasket set

I wanted to get some input from you guys/gals; do you think this is worth it? What have been your experiences with doing a rebuild on an old block? Thanks. Here is a picture of what the engine looks like right now.

truck69 · 08-02-2005, 11:58 AM

I also have a 350 and one cyl is bad. I went to a local shop to see what they could do and their price was 1200. They said they warranty the work for 6 months or 5000 miles. Which ever comes first. SO I have been looking at rebuilt Chevy motors which is warranted for 3 years or 36,000 miles. Those are 1300 dollars. I have to save up a bit but thats what I am looking at.

Thanks. Truck69.

CyberRanger · 08-02-2005, 01:01 PM

If I were goin' to redo my 350 in my 4x4 I'd put in a 400 crank & have it stroked to 383 for better low end torque as well as an aftermarket cam for better torque & mileage. It'd be a bit more expensive, but well worth the effort. My main beef w/ the factory engines has always been the terrible mileage & lack of low end torque.

Before they do any machine work I'd have the block checked for flaws or thin cylinder walls so you don't waste money on machining a bad block, crank or rods, unless they'll guarantee them w/o the check. It can really save you a lot of headaches.

mrein3 · 08-02-2005, 01:17 PM

I scanned your new parts list and didn't see new pistons on there.
I'm hoping the $850 includes new pistons (you need them if you bore the cylinders).

Right out of high school (late 80s) I bought a used 350 on a stand for $50. When I checked the holes they were still in spec. So I just honed them out, put in new rings, and still run that engine today. Talk about a cheap rebuild. Oh yeah. I had a shop go over the rods and I installed new bearings (of course).

If you need pistons, consider a 383. For the price of what you need to buy anyways, plus a crank, harmonic balancer, and flex plate, you have more torque and hp.

edmonton72 · 08-02-2005, 01:44 PM

Im getting pretty much the same thing done to my 350 but it ain't going to be that cheap, the guy said like $2500, but im getting new pistons and a crank

bowtie · 08-02-2005, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edmonton72

Im getting pretty much the same thing done to my 350 but it ain't going to be that cheap, the guy said like $2500, but im getting new pistons and a crank

Sounds about right, will you be going with a different cam?

08-02-2005, 11:27 AM	#1
72swb4me Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 90	What should I do about my '72 350 I spoke to a shop about reviving my '72 350. They said they would do a remanufactured longblock job for $850. Below is what that entails: Bore and hone the cylinders Grind & polish the crankshaft High-performance 3 angle valve job Resurface heads New parts: Rod, main, cam bearing Camshaft Front & rear main seal Oil pump & lifters Timing component set Freeze plugs Valve seals Complete gasket set I wanted to get some input from you guys/gals; do you think this is worth it? What have been your experiences with doing a rebuild on an old block? Thanks. Here is a picture of what the engine looks like right now. Attached Images

08-02-2005, 01:01 PM	#3
CyberRanger Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: North Central Colorado Posts: 38	If I were goin' to redo my 350 in my 4x4 I'd put in a 400 crank & have it stroked to 383 for better low end torque as well as an aftermarket cam for better torque & mileage. It'd be a bit more expensive, but well worth the effort. My main beef w/ the factory engines has always been the terrible mileage & lack of low end torque. Before they do any machine work I'd have the block checked for flaws or thin cylinder walls so you don't waste money on machining a bad block, crank or rods, unless they'll guarantee them w/o the check. It can really save you a lot of headaches. __________________ '71 K20 Custom Deluxe - 1 owner - Original 350 & 4 spd, Rams horn dual exhaust, Centerforce clutch, K&N 4"x15", factory tow hooks, 4" Skyjacker Softride, Rancho RSX9000s, custom Firestone AirRide overloads, 36" 305/85R16 10ply Buckshot Mudders, 4.11 gears

08-02-2005, 01:17 PM	#4
mrein3 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Center City, MN, USA Posts: 3,254	I scanned your new parts list and didn't see new pistons on there. I'm hoping the $850 includes new pistons (you need them if you bore the cylinders). Right out of high school (late 80s) I bought a used 350 on a stand for $50. When I checked the holes they were still in spec. So I just honed them out, put in new rings, and still run that engine today. Talk about a cheap rebuild. Oh yeah. I had a shop go over the rods and I installed new bearings (of course). If you need pistons, consider a 383. For the price of what you need to buy anyways, plus a crank, harmonic balancer, and flex plate, you have more torque and hp. __________________ '70 cab, '71 chassis, 383, TH350, NP205. '71 Malibu convertible '72 Malibu hard top Center City, MN

08-02-2005, 01:44 PM	#5
edmonton72 Nothings as cool as my 72 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Edmonton, AB, Kanuckastan Posts: 181	Im getting pretty much the same thing done to my 350 but it ain't going to be that cheap, the guy said like $2500, but im getting new pistons and a crank __________________ 1972 C10 Longbox In the middle of body off restoration Rebuilt 355, turbo 400, 3.42 12-bolt Rolling chassis finally done and cab mounted. Now onto sanding, bondo and more sanding.

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08-02-2005, 11:58 AM	#2
truck69 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 323	I also have a 350 and one cyl is bad. I went to a local shop to see what they could do and their price was 1200. They said they warranty the work for 6 months or 5000 miles. Which ever comes first. SO I have been looking at rebuilt Chevy motors which is warranted for 3 years or 36,000 miles. Those are 1300 dollars. I have to save up a bit but thats what I am looking at. Thanks. Truck69.



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