Engine Swap! NEED HELP FAST!

[nomad0231]

I'm restoring a '72 C-10 Longbed. It has a straight-6 from a 67 Bel-Aire and I wanted to put a 350 back into it.

Someone in my area is selling a 350 that came out of a 1986 K5 blazer. Can this go in my truck easily? And what kind of questions should I ask them about it? Here is their description:

"1986 chevy 350 out of 86 K5 blazer
complete oil pan, edekbrock carb , starter, water pump , ac compressor, smog pump . Odometer shows 109k miles"

Can I put this one in my truck?!?!? What ???'s should I ask him?

[truckdude239]

yes it should work fine might have to change the motor mounts. u need to see if u can hear it run see if it smokes. with all that i'd give no more the 450 buxs for it. since it has high miles

[shifty]

Yes. You can put anything in your truck, but a crate 350 should be easy.

Hell, I put a 2001 fuel injected TransAm WS6 engine in my truck, and it was pretty much a bolt-in affair.

I say get it. A small block chevy is a small block chevy. Doesn't matter if it's an LT1, LS1 or LS7....all you need is the right motor mounts and to adapt the tranny to it (if it's not a direct bolt-up).

I dunno what to ask him though. I wouldn't pay over $300 for that engine though, at that mileage, even with all accessories. I see crate motors here locally for less than $500 that have under 500 miles on them.

[Jefe]

It should go in just fine as far as the motor goes. I Believe that the 6-cyl sits in a different location acording to your frame than a V8 does, so the mounts will be different and have to be moved. Also the shroud is different too I think. You might need different exhaust manifolds and such, but the basic motor, as long as it runs shouldn't be a problem. Make sure to check the oil when you get there or pull a valve cover and make sure it doesnt look like a McDonalds milkshake in there because of oil/water mixture. And maybe pull the plugs to see that it spins freely if it is not in the vehicle. Good Luck


--Douglas.

[haysonj]

The 86 had a one piece seal so you will need a differant flex plate or flywheel depending on the trans you use

[stllookn]

Ask him why he is pulling it. Has he done a compression check and/or a leak-down test? What is the oil pressure? Does it burn any oil. A core motor is worth about $100. If you hear it run and do a compression check you can go up from there. A new small block Chevy without carb, manifold or water pump but with all the tin is about $900 with a 3-yr guarantee. This engine is worn out and has no guarantee so I would not go over $300 if I heard it run and did a compression check.

[Chevyman680063]

Are you talking about getting a brand new crate engine for around $900? I thought a brand new GM Goodwrech 350 crate engine, 250 hp and 350 ft lbs. torque, was around $1500-$1700?

[haysonj]

Originally Posted by Chevyman680063

Are you talking about getting a brand new crate engine for around $900? I thought a brand new GM Goodwrech 350 crate engine, 250 hp and 350 ft lbs. torque, was around $1500-$1700?

Thats about right I paid 1700 for the 290 HP one last week from Jegs

[My72BB]

I am not 100% sure but I think 86 Blazers were 305 cubic inch. I do not believe they went to 350 until they went Fuel Injected in 1987?

Just my $.02

[truckdude239]

u can get a reman from advance for 960buxs

[nomad0231]

He bought a new engine because he is making his a beach/trail blazer. He said it runs good but would reccomend:

new valve guides - $18
> head gaskets -$50
> good bosch plugs -$40
> rebuild distibutor - $60
> 8.8 pug wires -$30
> All new gaskets to inclued rear main seals - $60
> new water pump $25
> New belts / hoses $50
> Good Synthetic oil? and filter $40
> Add edelbrock dual plane performer intake $100
> Chrome dress up kit $40
> Thats about all I can think of , this woul
> drastically make this engine run better and last .
> This is if you dothe work yourself , an experienced
> mech could do all this in about a day .

All this would bring the engine to about $800. Is this worth it? Wha exactly is a crate engine? (Bare with me, I'm new to this, not to mention i'm a Marine!)

[bob1967]

Sounds like alot of work to me. If it needs head gaskets could mean he blew the head gaskets out and overheated the engine, and could have warped the heads or cracked the block. In my opinion I would pass, there are better engines out there that don't need all that much work. Just my .02

[nomad0231]

How much is a rebuilt engine usually? I figured $800 wasn't too bad.

[DavesRide]

Agree, Engine will drop in. My last 68 that had inline 6 and powerglide from factory. Engine failed from cracked modulator metal line and burned out a piston. Any way the only thing we changed to make it (the small block) fit was to remove the extender pieces that mounted the 6. I even used the old 6 rubber mounts to fit the 1988 or so K block 350. Get new mounts. As far as prices, my entire 67 cost 375 with good running 350, turbo 400, and completely safe to drive brake system, lighting, suspension, and a truck body to boot. Keep hunting and telling people that you are looking and one will appear. I am soaking the free Quadrajet as we speak. It was free because I told everyone I was looking for one and............ David

[bob1967]

Originally Posted by haysonj

Thats about right I paid 1700 for the 290 HP one last week from Jegs

I think I would save up and get the crate engine, at least you know what you are getting. When I have had my engines rebuilt it usually cost me about $1000.00. Sounds alittle sketchy to me

[nomad0231]

How much is a crate engine and what exactly is one? And where is the best place to get them? Thanks so much for the help guys!

[bob1967]

You can look at summitracing.com, jegs.com( I am not sure if this is there site, I would google it ) or go to your local chevy dealer. If you have a reliable engine builder with a good reputation in your area see what he might charge to build you one, and what his warranty is. Good Luck

[Select]

I just got a 87 TBI 350 and a 700R4 for 450 plus 2 other truck loads of parts for that price.

[TimE]

Originally Posted by nomad0231

How much is a crate engine and what exactly is one? And where is the best place to get them? Thanks so much for the help guys!

A crate engine is just what it sounds like--an engine in a crate/on a pallet that has been built/rebuilt and usually has a warranty. There are many different stages you can buy crate motors in. You can get a longblock, which is a built block with heads, cam and timing chain installed-that's it. You can also buy crate motors that have everything except the pulleys and alternator that are ready to drop in. It just depends on your budget. Swapping from a 6 to a v8, just keep in mind on the crate motor route you will need everything from carb to oilpan, all of the pulleys on the front of the motor and exhaust(headers/exh manifolds).
With this being stated, I still don't think I would buy the high mileage motor out of the Blazer. If the budget permits, a crate motor would be the best (although most expensive) way to go. That way you know exactly what you've got. On the other hand, if your budget is more like mine, keep looking, I'm sure a better deal will come along on a complete setup. Good luck in your hunt!

[nomad0231]

Ok, so I found a crate motor and transmission at Jegs. The desc is:

This universal 350ci engine uses a brand new block and can be used as a replacement for most GM vehicles from 1970-85. It produces 260 HP and 350 ft/lbs of torque with a 4-bbl carb and headers. It can be used as a replacement or as a retrofit into almost any vehicle. This brand new crate engine comes with a GM warranty and is covered for 3 years or 100,000 miles in applicable GM vehicles only.

Specifications

4-bolt main with 2-piece rear main seal
Cast iron crankshaft
LT1/LT4 powdered metal connecting rods
Cast pistons (dished)
Hydraulic flat tappet cam (.383''/.401'' and 112° lobe separation)
Cast iron cylinder heads with 76cc chambers
8.5:1 compression ratio
Left and right hand dipstick
4-quart oil pan
Timing tabs for a 6-3/4'' or an 8'' balancer
Recommended spark plug: Accel #111-574 or any spark plug with 14mm .460'' reach, 5/8'' hex, tapered seat, projected tip
GM recommends the use of a melonized distributor gear (#270-11951-1)
Engine Components Package 1 #809-10067353K1
Includes GM Goodwrench engine and the following products to make your new engine run!

Edelbrock Performer Intake Manifold
Edelbrock Performer 600 cfm Carburetor
Mr. Gasket Intake Gaskets
ARP Intake Bolts
Proform Chrome Valve Covers, Wing Nuts, and Dipstick
JEGS HEI Distributor
JEGS HEI Coil


and a transmission:

The economical TCI Sizzler is ideal for vehicles that are powered by engines producing up to 300 HP. Equipped with a TCI automatic valve body with a Valve Body Improver Kit, it allows you to achieve a firmer, yet not too harsh shift in the vehicle and remains fully automatic. Retains the stock shift pattern. For the system to operate properly, all throttle linkage, vacuum lines and kickdown components must be connected.

The Sizzler transmission features: special clutches and bands, improved lubrication system, chrome-plated, TCI logo transmission pan, increased thrust capacity, more torque capacity with less slippage, as well as being TCI factory blueprinted, inspected and dyno tested. TCI has long set the standard which other are judged by, and they are the name you can trust for dependable performance, day after day, mile after mile.




THE TOTAL is $2900. Is this expensive or about right??? And would this go good with a 72 Chevy C-10 longbed?

[truckdude239]

sounds about right. i would kill to have that set up. if u have an advacue auto around check them for a reman motor they priced me 960 about 4 months ago for a 350 4bolt main long block (basic engine no valve covers intake timeing cvoer and so on)

[Chevyman680063]

Yep Nomad, that's the exact crate engine I was talking about. I have one in my 63 that was in it when I bought it but now the thing leaks like crazy from everywhere since I use it as a daily driver and the guy who had it before me let it sit for a little while. He would crank it up every now and then but never really drove it. I've been thinking about getting another one just like it because it would probably only cost me a little more to get a new one than to have the one I have now pulled and have all the gaskets replaced. Plus it would be brand new so I'd know what's been done to it. For some reason Summit wants more for that motor than Jegs, when Summit use to want the same. Now if I had the money I'd get this engine.
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...1&autoview=sku

[Kixwy2]

Eek! I paid $1450 for this same engine!

Sounds like you added on the accessory pack with all the extras, which I didn't buy. I swapped all my usable parts over. And it comes with valve covers.

Reused manifold, carb, balancer, alternator, distributor, etc... had to buy new manifold bolts and header bolts, motor mounts, belts, fuel pump, and various gaskets.

I think with everything else I bought it cost me $1800?

It's an awesome engine though - mine is running great with about 300 miles on it so far.

Originally Posted by nomad0231

Ok, so I found a crate motor and transmission at Jegs. The desc is:

This universal 350ci engine uses a brand new block and can be used as a replacement for most GM vehicles from 1970-85. It produces 260 HP and 350 ft/lbs of torque with a 4-bbl carb and headers. It can be used as a replacement or as a retrofit into almost any vehicle. This brand new crate engine comes with a GM warranty and is covered for 3 years or 100,000 miles in applicable GM vehicles only.

Specifications

4-bolt main with 2-piece rear main seal
Cast iron crankshaft
LT1/LT4 powdered metal connecting rods
Cast pistons (dished)
Hydraulic flat tappet cam (.383''/.401'' and 112° lobe separation)
Cast iron cylinder heads with 76cc chambers
8.5:1 compression ratio
Left and right hand dipstick
4-quart oil pan
Timing tabs for a 6-3/4'' or an 8'' balancer
Recommended spark plug: Accel #111-574 or any spark plug with 14mm .460'' reach, 5/8'' hex, tapered seat, projected tip
GM recommends the use of a melonized distributor gear (#270-11951-1)
Engine Components Package 1 #809-10067353K1
Includes GM Goodwrench engine and the following products to make your new engine run!

Edelbrock Performer Intake Manifold
Edelbrock Performer 600 cfm Carburetor
Mr. Gasket Intake Gaskets
ARP Intake Bolts
Proform Chrome Valve Covers, Wing Nuts, and Dipstick
JEGS HEI Distributor
JEGS HEI Coil


and a transmission:

The economical TCI Sizzler is ideal for vehicles that are powered by engines producing up to 300 HP. Equipped with a TCI automatic valve body with a Valve Body Improver Kit, it allows you to achieve a firmer, yet not too harsh shift in the vehicle and remains fully automatic. Retains the stock shift pattern. For the system to operate properly, all throttle linkage, vacuum lines and kickdown components must be connected.

The Sizzler transmission features: special clutches and bands, improved lubrication system, chrome-plated, TCI logo transmission pan, increased thrust capacity, more torque capacity with less slippage, as well as being TCI factory blueprinted, inspected and dyno tested. TCI has long set the standard which other are judged by, and they are the name you can trust for dependable performance, day after day, mile after mile.




THE TOTAL is $2900. Is this expensive or about right??? And would this go good with a 72 Chevy C-10 longbed?

[nomad0231]

Thanks folks! With theextra pkg im getting, is there a lot more i need to buy to get her going??

[TimE]

Originally Posted by nomad0231

Thanks folks! With theextra pkg im getting, is there a lot more i need to buy to get her going??

Water pump, accessory brackets/pulleys, harmonic balancer, exhaust manifolds/headers, spark plugs & plug wires, replace rubber motor mounts, new belts and radiator/heater hoses, various plugs for sensor holes in the block that are not used, 4 barrel air cleaner
That is most everything you will need, might be a few other items that I'm just not thinking of right now. I'm not sure if this motor has the oil filter adapter(or whatever it's called) or not, so you may need that too.