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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 916
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Swap or Rebuild??
So I started my truck today and realized its really beginning to smoke more and more. At first it would smoke on start up but now it smokes sometimes while driving but the engine does still run great and strong. So Im tryin to decide..should I have my motor rebuilt or should I swap in a newer motor? Which would be cheaper? I really woulld like a vortec motor out of a 95 suburban or something but they might be pricey. What would u guys do? Gimme ur humble opinions
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#2 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Anchorage, AK
Posts: 351
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Re: Swap or Rebuild??
Is it a 305 or 350? What are you wanting to do with the truck? Are you looking for a daily driver or a purpose built truck? If you rebuild it yourself that is cheap if u just do a bearing a ring replacement. It will be much more if you have a shop do it for you.
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1988 Chevy Crew Cab 1ton 4x4 SRW LWB 1977 Dodge 1 ton 4x4 My Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=516872 ![]() |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 916
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Re: Swap or Rebuild??
its a daily driver.has a 350 in it. im tryin to make into a nice lil cruiser...fixin it up piece by piece. would like to swap my t350 for a 700r4 for the highway.
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#4 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Anchorage, AK
Posts: 351
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Re: Swap or Rebuild??
yeah, the TH350 is junk, and 700r is much better... if ur just gonna cruise with it, just do the basic overhaul, put some headers, edelbrock performer intake with the edelbrock 600cfm carb(1406), throw some glass packs on it and drive the snot out of it.
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1988 Chevy Crew Cab 1ton 4x4 SRW LWB 1977 Dodge 1 ton 4x4 My Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=516872 ![]() |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Posts: 755
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Re: Swap or Rebuild??
Some people like the idea of the original engine in their truck, it could be a selling point down the road.
Aside from that, my experience with those around me is that if you have the knowledge and time, rebuilding it yourself is cheaper (and possibly more rewarding). But if you're going to have a shop do it, and engine swap is most often cheaper and easier. The places that pump out engines do so like an assembly line, in massive volume. Their labor is often cheaper, and they're processes are often better than your local garage doing a rebuild on your engine. When you're cranking out 50 engines a week you can often do the whole process cheaper and better than a local shop trying to fit an engine rebuild in between oil changes and brake jobs.
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I know a little about cars, but if you have a question about electricity or sport quads, I'm your man!!! |
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#6 |
Robert Olson Transport
![]() Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: recent transplant to NC USA
Posts: 20,288
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Re: Swap or Rebuild??
my problem is time is always of theessence so i went ahead and bought a jegs motor and just swapped it out.. while not the cheapest it was certainly the quickest and hopefully the most reliable
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Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!! |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Prescott, Arizona
Posts: 2,396
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Re: Swap or Rebuild??
Depends on the individual and what you have available to you.
Good machine shops are always a question, and how much you want to spend could determine the outcome there. Waiting is always fun too ![]() I usually save the machine shop building for numbers matching muscle cars where crate engines simply aren't an option. If there is a crate engine out there however that fits your needs and originality isn't a concern, it's certainly a nice way to go. If all you want is a vortec style gen 1 engine, instead of swapping in a 90's vintage 350 (that may need rebuilt anyway) I'd rebuild the one you have and install a set of vortec heads. Only other difference with the newer block would be a 1 piece rear main and the ability to add GM style roller cam with the spyder setup rather than a retro fit kit for an older block. Neither of those additions are enough to persuade me to look for a newer block. |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 916
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Re: Swap or Rebuild??
I know my way around vehicles but when it come to tearing into a motor I just dont trust myself. I dont want to ruin anything. I would rather a professional do it. My mechanic is very reliable and knows his chevys. Unfortunately he doesnt rebuild motors anymore. He said it'll be better just to swap in a newer motor. But thats another story. I've been lookin around online and found some but I just keep think..what if I buy a faulty motor?...I just want to make sure I buy a good motor. A motor and trans combo would be a big plus as Im lookin for the overdrive gear for the freeway.
I also like the idea of havin the original motor in my truck. Thats why Im torn. Im tryin to figure out what's best. Thats why Im askin u guys. |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Prescott, Arizona
Posts: 2,396
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Re: Swap or Rebuild??
Some of those ideas are personal preference. You'll have to decide what makes you happy.
If you aren't comfortable rebuilding one, and a used engine makes you nervous (it does me too) then it sounds like a crate engine is the way to go. |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: monett, mo
Posts: 230
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Re: Swap or Rebuild??
with the uncertainty of gas prices, i'd look into a 5.3 swap. the junkyards are full of em. they are cheaper than ever. i did mine two years ago, and haven't looked back. it really isn't too much harder than a basic engine swap. the harnesses are simple. battery hot, coil wire goes to 12v "key" power, starter wires are the same ones you use now. (purple start wire and the others for truck power. it is intimidating, but it's really not bad. i get right at 20 on the highway.
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#11 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Anchorage, AK
Posts: 351
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Re: Swap or Rebuild??
So many people are intimidated on tearing into there motor, don't be, go buy some books or even some DVDs and do it yourself. A 350 overhaul is so easy and doesn't take too many specialty tools, it is fun and would be an excellent learning experience for you. And if you some how mess something up, parts are very cheap and their are tons of resources to help you. I say go for it, but that is my humble opinion.
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1988 Chevy Crew Cab 1ton 4x4 SRW LWB 1977 Dodge 1 ton 4x4 My Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=516872 ![]() |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: VA
Posts: 284
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Re: Swap or Rebuild??
This is just my opinion.
If you are uncomfortable with tearing into the guts of an engine, you might be better off with purchasing a ready to run replacement engine. Buying a used engine is literally a crap shoot. Unless you can hear / see it run before buying, and run a leakdown and compression test on it, you truly don’t know what you’re getting. Rebuilding a small block Chevy is not hard. The biggest stumbling blocks for people new to the process is usually cleanliness, taking accurate measurements and following the steps. The inside of an engine has to be SPOTLESS when putting it back together. There are several VERY good books aimed a Another option is looking for a rebuilder in your area, and purchasing a rebuilt 350 short block and adding Vortec heads and intake. With a decent cam that would make a reliable, fun to drive engine. Yet another option is to call around to call your local machine shops. Many times they have engines for sale. Ready-to-run engines, many times it’s the case where the owner got all the work done and couldn’t foot the bill. Depending on the shop, you can sometimes get a good deal, because they are simply trying to get their labor and parts back out of the engine.
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#13 |
Insert Witty Text Here
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 3,415
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Re: Swap or Rebuild??
I went with a 350 Chevy crate engine, part number 10067353. It is $1500, and has free shipping right now at Jegs. Otherwise I would do an LS swap, but then you are back to taking a chance with a used engine...
Slonaker |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
Posts: 131
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Re: Swap or Rebuild??
You just wasted $1500. I am sure your valve guide seals just needed to be replaced. This is a $75 repair, and an afternoon's work. Definitly quicker than swapping an engine.
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#15 | |
Insert Witty Text Here
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 3,415
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Re: Swap or Rebuild??
Quote:
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
Posts: 131
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Re: Swap or Rebuild??
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: St Robert, Mo
Posts: 730
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Re: Swap or Rebuild??
If your engine just smokes at startup and quits within 5 minutes this is the problem and this is a do-it-your-self, saturday morning project...
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#18 | ||
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Prescott, Arizona
Posts: 2,396
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Re: Swap or Rebuild??
Quote:
Quote:
Stock gen 1's either use umbrellas (which aren't much good at oil control) or they use the 0-ring on the stem (even worse for oil control). With a worn guide either of these version will still suck oil down the guide. There are positive seals made for stock guides that snap down and have much better oil control. It may stop some or most of the smoking, but if you have worn guides, oil usage is still going to happen to some extent. Anything with high mileage and a start up smoking issue, to fix it right, requires pulling the heads and heading to the machine shop for guides, valve job, and seals, at which point you can machine the guide for the positive seal of choice. |
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#19 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
Posts: 131
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Re: Swap or Rebuild??
Quote:
Also, the OP states the engine runs great. I don't know about you, but I don't pull heads or do valve jobs on engines that run great, unless I am swapping for something better. |
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 916
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Re: Swap or Rebuild??
http://youtu.be/SL8XCdhhhhs
a vid of the truck running. this was back in november i think after i got my exhaust done. |
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