Best 350 crate motor / company?

[Loptics]

Fellas,

My '72 will need a motor soon, the '80 engine in it is not original but has been rebuilt once already.

I was looking for a suitable engine, won't be a street rod, but the truck is a nice 4x4 Cheyenne Super. I'd like it to be able to giddy up a little.

I've been looking at all kinds of sites, Edelbrock, Jegs, GM Performance, anyone have any experience / feedback with any crate motor I'd appreciate it if you would share.

Thanks!

Scott

[jgreene0717]

I would go with GM Performance. I purchased a Goodwrench 350 part# 10067353 and installed a Comp Cams XE262h camshaft. It ran very strong in my 71 C-10 before I sold it to fund my new big block. You will not be disapounted with any GM crate motor in my opinion!!!

[Sinister]

YearOne has some nice crate motors.
http://www.yearone.com

[Loptics]

Bump. Thanks.

['72customdeluxe]

Try Blue print engines. Summit sells them.

[Tx Firefighter]

GM crate 350- 3 year 100k mile warranty. Any GM dealer in the country will warranty it on the spot too.

[packers05]

sorry to chip this opinion in, but I just wish you would consider a motor built in your town or county at least, keep your money close to home crate motors are no guarantee you wont have trouble and has anyone you know gotten one warranted, I have seen it and its usually time consuming and requires you to pay labor and for second engine leaving it up to them to decide if you will be refunded. I say stop by a machine shop ask around. Lots of guys know how to build sbc cheap and strong!!!!! without chinese parts or mexican labor!!! If this advise sucks so far just buy an edelbrock its made in usa!!!

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by packers05

sorry to chip this opinion in, but I just wish you would consider a motor built in your town or county at least, keep your money close to home crate motors are no guarantee you wont have trouble and has anyone you know gotten one warranted, I have seen it and its usually time consuming and requires you to pay labor and for second engine leaving it up to them to decide if you will be refunded. I say stop by a machine shop ask around. Lots of guys know how to build sbc cheap and strong!!!!! without chinese parts or mexican labor!!! If this advise sucks so far just buy an edelbrock its made in usa!!!

Sorry to break it to you, but Edelbrock crate engines are built off of those Mexican labor assembled GM shortblocks you speak of.

[WorkinLonghorn]

nevr mind,was off topic

[67ChevyRedneck]

Well, the hecho in mexico thing is a little disappointing. Didn't know that. I was going to suggest the GM crate engine as well. About $1,600 (I've been checking around, apparently they've gone up about $150 in the past year) and you'll have good horsepower and the warranty Tx mentioned. I still plan on getting one for my truck.

[Loptics]

I've got an excellent local mechanic who can do a lot of work, but even he suggested to order what I want to the level I want and he'll do the rest.

What's this Made in Mexico stuff concerning GM motors? Is that only the GM Goodwrench 350 motors or GM Performance or other makers who use the GM blocks? How can you tell?

Thanks,

Scott

[67ChevyRedneck]

I really don't know, I had always thought the GM crate engines were built/assembled here... one of the few things still done in the US.

[Beatcoaster]

Where are you finding them for $1600?

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by Beatcoaster

Where are you finding them for $1600?

http://www.sdparts.com/product/10067...ateEngine.aspx

Or any local dealer should be able to sell you one for about the same price. Only a year and a half-ish ago I was quoted $1430 for one, and the website above listed them for $1,399, but apparently GM has jacked the price in the past year. I wish I had bought one back then

This is the GM part #10067353 motor. It is not a high performance motor, but very a very respectable 240-ish horsepower (ratings vary depending on who's doing the advertising.)

The GM Goodwrench 350 Crate Engine features all new components assembled into a NEW 4 – bolt main block. Not Remanufactured / Not Rebuilt! An all-new 350 Chevy engine backed by the best warranty in the USA! This universal 350 engine is designed to be used as a replacement in most GM vehicles from 1969-85 and can be retrofitted into almost any application. Covered by the GM Goodwrench Engine warranty for 3 years or 100,000 miles in applicable GM vehicles

This engine can also be used in 1986 model pick-ups. The flexplate (flywheel) must also be changed. Use flexplate #471598.
Block: Cast Iron, 4 bolt
Bore Diameter (in.): 4.000
Camshaft: Hyrdaulic Flat Tappet
Camshaft Duration @ 0.050 in. I/E: 195 / 202
Camshaft Lift (in.) I/E: 0.390 / 0.410
Camshaft Type, Lift in. (I/E):
Carburetor: Not Included
Compression: 8.5 to 1 (72cc)
Compression Ratio:
Connecting Rods: Powdered Metal, 5.700 in.
Core Value: 0
Crankshaft: Cast Nodular, 3.480 in. Stroke
Cubic Inch: 350
Cylinder Heads: Cast Iron
Deck Height (in.): 9.025
Fuel Requirements: 87 Octane
Heads, Chamber Size: Cast Iron, 76cc
Horsepower: 249 @ 5000 RPM
Intake Manifold: Not Included
Liters: 5.7
Max RPM: 5500
New/Reman: New
Oil Pan: Rear Sump
Piston Description: Cast Dish 4VR
Rear Main Seal Type: 2 piece
Rocker Arms: 1.5 Ration
Starter: Not Included
Stroke (in.): 3.480
Torque: 304 @ 3500 rpm
Transmission: Auto / Manual
Valve Springs: 1.250 in. Diameter
Valves (I/E) (in.): 1.940 / 1.500
Water Pump: Not Included

[72freak]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

I really don't know, I had always thought the GM crate engines were built/assembled here... one of the few things still done in the US.

The last few I saw were clearly marked "Made in Mexico" or "assembled in Mexico". It has been that way for a good while.

There is always a chance of trouble with any product. I have used a couple of GM crates with good results but I also had one that lost oil pressure after 2000 miles!

[mbgmike]

Originally Posted by packers05

sorry to chip this opinion in, but I just wish you would consider a motor built in your town or county at least, keep your money close to home crate motors are no guarantee you wont have trouble and has anyone you know gotten one warranted, I have seen it and its usually time consuming and requires you to pay labor and for second engine leaving it up to them to decide if you will be refunded. I say stop by a machine shop ask around. Lots of guys know how to build sbc cheap and strong!!!!! without chinese parts or mexican labor!!! If this advise sucks so far just buy an edelbrock its made in usa!!!

Good advice. Just because its a new crate motor does not mean it will be trouble free. $1800 dollars paid to a machine shop later we finally got a $4600 crate motor that will run right. GM will warrantee the motor but if you put it in yourself, good luck. They will always come up with a reason you screwed it up. If the dealership does the total and I mean total install your ok. Wrong flexplate, wrong distributor, wrong this etc. I would rather have a good shop do the work.

[rockc]

good tread. what carb and manifold you all running on them crate motors?

[jamie72]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

http://www.sdparts.com/product/10067...ateEngine.aspx

Or any local dealer should be able to sell you one for about the same price. Only a year and a half-ish ago I was quoted $1430 for one, and the website above listed them for $1,399, but apparently GM has jacked the price in the past year. I wish I had bought one back then

This is the GM part #10067353 motor. It is not a high performance motor, but very a very respectable 240-ish horsepower (ratings vary depending on who's doing the advertising.)

last time i checked my local dealers were asking around 2200.00 for one...

[67ChevyRedneck]

There are two motors that are very similar, one is around 240 horse and the other is 290. Maybe they priced you the 290 horse one? Either way, that price seems real high!

[berencam]

I purchased the 240 hp model for my 69. Bought i from the local dealer for 1450 plus 150 core. I hooked it up to the 3 speed manual and kept the original points.I used an Edelbrock performer intake and a Edelbrock 650 cfm carb. It had plenty of power and ran strong right till the day it was totaled.(bout 5k miles later) There are some pictures of it in my build thread of my 69 in my sig.

[jamie72]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

There are two motors that are very similar, one is around 240 horse and the other is 290. Maybe they priced you the 290 horse one? Either way, that price seems real high!

it was the 240hp...

[dfwright]

Originally Posted by berencam

I purchased the 240 hp model for my 69. Bought i from the local dealer for 1450 plus 150 core. I hooked it up to the 3 speed manual and kept the original points.I used an Edelbrock performer intake and a Edelbrock 650 cfm carb. It had plenty of power and ran strong right till the day it was totaled.(bout 5k miles later) There are some pictures of it in my build thread of my 69 in my sig.

Why would there be a core charge on a brand new engine? I understand rebuilders need the core to rebuild but why a core charge on a completely new engine?

[Beatcoaster]

The same question I ask all the time. It's just a way for them to make more money, I swear, they bank on the fact some people won't bring in the part/engine after the swap. Why is there a core charge for nearly everything these days?! It's a "legit" method of making money, betting on the lazyness of people...

[berencam]

Originally Posted by dfwright

Why would there be a core charge on a brand new engine? I understand rebuilders need the core to rebuild but why a core charge on a completely new engine?

I purchased a remaned model as opposed to a new block assy.

[big_al_71]

Build your own motor, it is what I did.
It was a little more expensive but I know what went in it. Of course it came with the 30/30 warranty which is 30 seconds or 30 feet whichever occurs first.