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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Kernersville, NC USA
Posts: 6
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new drive train? LS? LT? Tecumseh?
I have a 71 GMC with a non-original 305 that is on its last legs. The th350 Trans leaks like a gunshot victim due to hardened seals. I am currently searching for a replacement motor and someone who can swap it out for me.
What can I drop in this bare bones farm truck to restore it to dependable transportation? Its an ugly. beat to crap, rusted out bed and cab corners, no P/S, P/B, or A/C truck that is used for truck stuff - Hauling a scoop of gravel or topsoil, firewood, occasionally trips to the dump...and I occasionally like to camp In it. Throw an air mattress in the back and a pop-up canopy over the bed. Occassionally I use it as a backup vehicle for my 60mile RT work commute. I am in NC. What is my easiest and cheapest solution for returning my truck to dependable transportation?making it road worthy/ The rebuild cost for the th350 is $1500-$2000. A crate 350 is about another $2000. With labor I'm looking at $5k-$6k and I'm not sure I want to invest $6k into a $1500 truck. EDIT: I should point out that I do not have the skill, space, tools, health, or time to swap out an engine or transmission. I'm going to have to pay someone to do that
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Jeff W 1971 GMC Daily Driver Rustbucket Love, Peace, & Bacon Grease Last edited by bigdumbhick; 08-15-2023 at 07:23 PM. |
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#2 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Parker, Texas
Posts: 685
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Re: new drive train? LS? LT? Tecumseh?
5-6 years ago, I would have recommended a GM crate engine and a rebuild of your trans. IMHO, GM priced themselves out of the replacement engine market. With price being an issue, I would try to find a low mile 96+ vortec 350 off of FB or Craigslist, get your trans rebuilt, and install the later 350 with a performer intake and a Qjet, The fuel injected engines don't seem to wear as much as the older carbureted engines. A vortec 350 with 100K miles might give you another 100K.
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1970 2WD K5 1968 Camaro Conv 1967 Chevy SWB 1964 Malibu SS 1957 Corvette Pics www.picturetrail.com/wesmigletz |
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#3 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 3,691
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Re: new drive train? LS? LT? Tecumseh?
Your more-beautiful-than-you-think truck will be worth having the engine and transmission overhauled. It's not a $1500 truck. I bought my truck out of the field where it croaked and the first owner parked it 37 years ago. Interesting how it was a hideous mess just a couple years ago, and after having done nothing to the outside and getting the engine and transmission overhauled and seat re-covered, it is a beauty now. I occasionally wash the windows. I get complements and thumbs up all the time and it makes me smile to drive it. I don't have any current plans to do anything to the body, I kind of like it with the body and paint job by a collaboration between Chevy, Time, and God, it took many years to get it just right. My suggestion is you don't need power brakes and steering, but go ahead and add A/C and put a bluetooth amp and speakers under the seat, and drive it a lot.
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#4 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Orem, Utah
Posts: 7,901
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Re: new drive train? LS? LT? Tecumseh?
I built an L31 Vortec for my Blazer and I would go that route again. Old-school looks with more modern reliability. There are a few things you'll have to change, like the flex plate, but it's a pretty easy installation.
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I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson |
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#5 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: South NJ
Posts: 1,265
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Re: new drive train? LS? LT? Tecumseh?
Gen III Vortec, 4.8/5.3/6.0 - they are plentiful and cheap, have a 300K duty cycle and there is literally reams of online information about how to do the swap. In fact there's a sub forum on this site (under the engines forum) dedicated to it.
I did a 6.0/4L80e in my now-sold 71 C10 and almost bone stock with just a cold air intake and a ECM tune it had all the power I ever wanted. Now doing a 5.3 in a non-Chevy project. You can do this all-in for 3-5K depending on how extravagant vs. cheap you want to get. Best thing is to find a donor vehicle so you get all the parts you need and you can get some money back by parting/scrapping it. Look for a pre-2007 Suburban, Tahoe or Avalanche, those usually got less beat-up than the work trucks. Or if you want 2WD look for a van. Unless they were neglected or beat on they usually don't need any work done to them. In 2008 (some 2007s) they started with the DOD, which wasn't a good thing. You can delete that on a Gen IV engine but it's more hassle and the damage has already been done to the inner workings by the time you get it. |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 2,149
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Re: new drive train? LS? LT? Tecumseh?
Your 305 is a V6? Your transmission price is very high. You can buy a built racing version from Jegs for $1500. If you took it out and took it to the shop I would think less than $500. The Vortec swap is a good idea, but since you have a V6 you don't have the right pulleys. I would look around on Marketplace or similar for somebody putting an Ls in an old Chevy car/truck and selling the engine and transmission. Then you would have all the right brackets and such. You would need V8 engine stands and exhaust manifolds. I love EFI stuff myself. An LS swap would also be very cool if wiring and fuel stuff doesn't bother you.
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'83 K20-TPI '73 C10 '79 C10-ex-diesel(SOLD) '07 Tahoe(Son driving) '14 Suburban-DD '71 C10-current project |
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#7 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Pekin, Illinois
Posts: 413
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Re: new drive train? LS? LT? Tecumseh?
Quote:
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Harley 1969 Chevy C-10 Long Bed, 350cid, 700R4 |
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#8 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Kernersville, NC USA
Posts: 6
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Re: new drive train? LS? LT? Tecumseh?
Quote:
The 305 is a V8
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Jeff W 1971 GMC Daily Driver Rustbucket Love, Peace, & Bacon Grease |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 2,149
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Re: new drive train? LS? LT? Tecumseh?
Revised based on that.
Your transmission price is very high. You can buy a built racing version from Jegs for $1500. If you took it out and took it to the shop I would think less than $500. The Vortec swap is a good idea(but forces you into an aftermarket intake). I would look around on Marketplace or similar for somebody putting an LS in an old Chevy car/truck and selling the engine and transmission. I love EFI stuff myself. An LS swap would also be very cool if wiring and fuel stuff doesn't bother you.
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'83 K20-TPI '73 C10 '79 C10-ex-diesel(SOLD) '07 Tahoe(Son driving) '14 Suburban-DD '71 C10-current project |
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#10 |
Special Order
![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,859
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Re: new drive train? LS? LT? Tecumseh?
Just remember to go with an LS swap you are adding a lot of money for the conversion. It's best, for money sake, to go with a drop-in engine and trans
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Pekin, Illinois
Posts: 413
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Re: new drive train? LS? LT? Tecumseh?
I didnt use a LS and mine was a drop in engine and trans. Plus I didnt have to deal with the computer and all the wiring. LS also means a intank fuel pump or one of the new high pressure frame mount ones plus a fuel return line. Not that all that is difficult but it does add additional work and money.
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Harley 1969 Chevy C-10 Long Bed, 350cid, 700R4 |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Posts: 474
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Re: new drive train? LS? LT? Tecumseh?
If I was starting from scratch I'd probably do an LS. But like others have said your truck is already set up for something else plus it's all documented in the service manuals. It's much simpler.
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Indanapolis, IN
Posts: 604
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Re: new drive train? LS? LT? Tecumseh?
Sounds like the most practical approach is sticking with a similar SBC and trans like is already in the truck.
LS swap guys always underestimate what it takes to do a swap. Both in the money and time areas. To pull off a well thought out, reliable LS swap is no small undertaking. Ive seen some pretty horrible hack LS installs (even from “shops”) that would make me rather have an old carbed SBC. This is coming from a perfectionist guy who did his own LS swap. So take it with a grain of salt I guess. |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: California
Posts: 945
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Re: new drive train? LS? LT? Tecumseh?
Tecumseh all the way!!! lol
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Posts: 530
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Re: new drive train? LS? LT? Tecumseh?
Personally, considering all the people that are pulling engines to install LS engines, I would look for a 292 6 cylinder. They have a lot of torque, easy to fix, run basically forever, get decent mileage, and you can probably find one for a few hundred bucks.
I would not waste my time on an LS conversion. Lots of time and money and finding one for $800 with 130,000 miles is getting a bit hard these days. |
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#16 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Herculaneum MO (20 minutes south of St. Louis
Posts: 613
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Re: new drive train? LS? LT? Tecumseh?
Quote:
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67 C10 283 T5 swapped longbed fleetside = wife's daily driver 67 C20 292 (originally a 250)4speed longbed fleetside w/original wooden bed=my project truck 67 C10 283+.060 (so a 292 as well)T5 swapped longbed fleetside=my DD 72 C1500 Sierra Grande 350 TH350 longbed fleetside=wife's fair weather truck Can you tell we are fans of longbed fleetsides & 67s Chris |
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#17 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Pekin, Illinois
Posts: 413
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Re: new drive train? LS? LT? Tecumseh?
Quote:
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Harley 1969 Chevy C-10 Long Bed, 350cid, 700R4 |
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#18 |
State of Confusion!
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Gulfport, MS USA
Posts: 46,858
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Re: new drive train? LS? LT? Tecumseh?
AS mentioned, probably the cheapest would be to put in another small block. Changing to the 6-banger or LS require additional parts and all, while your current engine has everything you need for a replacement small block. Around here you can lots of times find a good small block (and T350) that someone is going to pull out to put in an LS. THat's cheapest way to go, or go with crate engine and redo ur T350.
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Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God! |
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#19 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: North Texas
Posts: 3,486
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Re: new drive train? LS? LT? Tecumseh?
Unless you can find someone with a good or rebuildable 350, I'd get the 305 overhauled, and then get the trans leaks fixed.
Or this engine should work for you, and it's probably one of the least expensive engines you'll find: https://www.jegs.com/i/ATK-Engines/059/VC09/10002/-1 Better yet, if you have a trusted shop nearby, ask them what would be the easiest and cheapest for them to do. A couple years ago, a friend of mine bought a 350 and TH350 for $1,000. The deal included a carb, distributor, and headers. They came out of a square body truck that I had just sold, so I know the combo had no more than 10K miles on it, and that I had spent at least $3,500 on engine and trans. Literally everything in the engine was new except the block and oil pan. I'm still kicking myself for not buying it. ![]()
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Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then! |
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#20 |
low n' slo
![]() Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: rosenberg, texas
Posts: 5,164
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Re: new drive train? LS? LT? Tecumseh?
being you want the cheaper option, I'd go with a small block.
I LS swapped mine by myself so I didn't have to pay anyone, but it does add up quick. you don't HAVE to find a super low mile engine either. mine had 200k when I pulled it and it runs like a damn top. sits for a few weeks sometimes and still cranks right up and go
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67 1/2 ton Suburban - Project DRGNWGN. Build thread ![]() -_--_--_ _________ _--_-_ -/____|__|__\__ ,.,,,.,.,,.,|_O _______ O_] |
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#21 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Orem, Utah
Posts: 7,901
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Re: new drive train? LS? LT? Tecumseh?
Quote:
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I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson |
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#22 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: North Texas
Posts: 3,486
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Re: new drive train? LS? LT? Tecumseh?
I think an LS is the last thing the OP needs for his bare bones, rusty farm truck. I say that having built up a late 90s LS1 destined for a 55 Chevy car. I'd estimate the price of parts to be 2-3x the cost of the engine and auto trans (4L60E?). Also it may be hard to find an honest, knowledgeable shop to do the work. And then add another few thousand for labor.
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Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then! |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Posts: 530
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Re: new drive train? LS? LT? Tecumseh?
How? The truck has no P/S, P/B, or A/C. The only think I am not sure about is if the transmission will bolt up, but he stated he needed a trans also. As I mentioned, you can probably find one of these for peanuts sitting around that was pulled for an LS swap. Throwing in a used SBC would be cheap, but he never mentioned that option. He was talking crate engine and a 292 isn't anywhere near that.
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#24 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: North Texas
Posts: 3,486
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Re: new drive train? LS? LT? Tecumseh?
I'm not saying a 292 would be a bad option. In fact, a fresh one would be a cool upgrade to an ailing 305. But extra work will be required. Here are some of the things that will need to be done based on my experience converting from a 250-six/manual to 350/TH350 in an 82 C10:
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Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then! |
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#25 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Turlock, CA
Posts: 8,645
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Re: new drive train? LS? LT? Tecumseh?
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Please help my sister in law with her battle with cancer https://gofund.me/902f6fce Project "C10 Fever" (68 factory black 396 swb) Project "Little Sister" (70 c10 blue original paint refresh) Project "Blue Bomb" (70 c30 blue original paint refresh) SOLD Project "Vitamin C" (71 c10 orange original paint refresh) SOLD |
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