Wife says time for new engine

[tdangle]

Today went out to the nursery with the wife. Mind you she avoids riding in my truck at all costs, but lately is starting to not complain as much. Figures, 1/2 mile from home truck blows out a freeze plug in the front of the block. Come to find out, my dad had put one of those rubber expanding jobs in and it let loose.

Got it back together with a brass one and all is OK.

Now she says, I think you need a new engine. Now I need to look into if I can really afford the one I want.

[El Dorado Jim]

cool, which one are you going to get? are you getting a gm crate engine?

[custom10nut]

Look around online. Jeg's, Summit, and other places have short and long blocks available, but beware of the reman motors. I've personally seen three engines, for different places, have the crankshaft fail under normal operating conditions. Since they were out of the 30 day warranty, the owners were stuck with a boat anchor.
One economical option many don't consider is a factory replacement engine from your Chvrolet Dealer. There are many different performance options to choose from, based on your wants/needs.
If you're going for a reliable, economical engine, with a good warranty, here you go.

[saxart]

Read up as much as you can. Do some searches on this forum for "crate engines". Here is a good thread to get you started:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=729675

[tdangle]

Looking at this one. Chevrolet Performance 12530283 Roller cam and vortec heads $ about $500 over direct drop in gym crate engine. It'll will be a few $ more for new intake and electric fuel pump question is, will I really see better performance. Per hp torque ratings looks pretty much the same

[geezer#99]

question is, will I really see better performance. [/QUOTE]

Definetly!
The combo is much better.
Better heads, compression, and a cam that matches.
You might need a different flex plate or flywheel though.

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by tdangle

Looking at this one. Chevrolet Performance 12530283 Roller cam and vortec heads $ about $500 over direct drop in gym crate engine. It'll will be a few $ more for new intake and electric fuel pump question is, will I really see better performance. Per hp torque ratings looks pretty much the same

This is the one I'm going with when the time comes. You'll definitely see a performance gain, and what you won't see is an oil leak because of the one piece rear main seal.

[garyd1961]

I have the 12530283 engine in my truck and couldn't be more happy with it. It takes a few extra parts to get it installed, vortec intake, electric fuel pump, one piece rear main seal flexplate, and melonized gear for your distributor, but it's worth it. This motor will out perform the 195 crate engine in power, fuel mileage and longer life.

[tdangle]

looks there goes my paint money. I'm leaning towards the vortec crate engine. Probably be much happier in the long run.

[my56chevytruck]

Originally Posted by tdangle

Today went out to the nursery with the wife. Mind you she avoids riding in my truck at all costs, but lately is starting to not complain as much. Figures, 1/2 mile from home truck blows out a freeze plug in the front of the block. Come to find out, my dad had put one of those rubber expanding jobs in and it let loose.

Got it back together with a brass one and all is OK.

Now she says, I think you need a new engine. Now I need to look into if I can really afford the one I want.

Man, you have a wife we all want, good luck, this will be exciting for you.

[LongBox]

Just the peace of mind from the roller cam is worth the extra cost, and the vortec heads really do perform better, at least based on what I feel from my 98 with the 5700 Vortec compared with the 350 4bbl in my old 69.

[davepl]

Go Vortec. Too many advantages not to, if you can swing it.

[TheRocket]

Originally Posted by custom10nut

Look around online. Jeg's, Summit, and other places have short and long blocks available, but beware of the reman motors. I've personally seen three engines, for different places, have the crankshaft fail under normal operating conditions. Since they were out of the 30 day warranty, the owners were stuck with a boat anchor.
One economical option many don't consider is a factory replacement engine from your Chvrolet Dealer. There are many different performance options to choose from, based on your wants/needs.
If you're going for a reliable, economical engine, with a good warranty, here you go.

Stay away from remanufactured engines, at all costs. Marshall Engines, and their sister company Blueprint Motors, has one of the worst reputations around, and it is well deserved. Typically, their BBB rating is either a D- or an F. I looked at it a few minutes ago and it had increased to a B-, which is proof of Russian hacking. Most of the complaint listings have suddenly disappeared.

Oh, for the mother of all things holy, stay away from F.A.S.T. aka Fuel Air Spark Technology. A worthless product and even worse customer service. I wasted a bunch of money, lots and lots of hours and a ruined engine that we suspect was caused by their sorry product. Read their reviews.

[D.PASSMORE]

Originally Posted by tdangle

Looking at this one. Chevrolet Performance 12530283 Roller cam and vortec heads $ about $500 over direct drop in gym crate engine. It'll will be a few $ more for new intake and electric fuel pump question is, will I really see better performance. Per hp torque ratings looks pretty much the same

I just purchased this crate motor for a engine replacement in my C30. The engine is rather in-expensive, but the add ons where the $$$ adds up. I did a complete new item replacement: intake, carb, fuel pump, flywheel/clutch and HEI distributer and plug wires/new spark plugs. Granted, I buy top of the line items because I can afford 'em, so there are cheaper alternatives. I intend to create a install thread in the engine/drive train section. But, i'm not going to start the install until mid April though. I'm stoked!

[DBK81]

Did someone say new engine???? LSX 454, ohhhhh how I wish!

[DBK81]

But yea, if it's a daily driver, you can't go wrong with a fuel injected Vortec.

[camtoys1]

i have had two crate engines that where junk find a good Rebuilder there is a shop in Santa Ana called engine supply that does great work

[garyd1961]

Originally Posted by camtoys1

i have had two crate engines that where junk find a good Rebuilder there is a shop in Santa Ana called engine supply that does great work

What crate engines are you referring to and what went wrong on them? Just saying I had two crate engines and they were junk means nothing.

[camtoys1]

gm crate ones i one just your basic 350 it had about 5k three burned valves and had one of the 350 290 hp one and the thrust went out and not any help from gm as i put them in my self

[67 chevelle]

Ive had a zz4 and 330 HO both great engines

[DBK81]

Originally Posted by 67 chevelle

Ive had a zz4 and 330 HO both great engines

Yup ZZ4 has been a great power plant for me as well. Great to leaves ASIs from factory or a good jumping off point for some good streetable power with a few internal changes.