rebuild or new 350

[denverwalker13]

i have a 305 in my truck now and i was wondering if i could pick up a cheep 350 of craigslist and build it cheaper than buying a crate motor, what do you guys think i should go with

[geezer#99]

What's your skills?
Have you rebuilt one before? Have all the tools? Have a good machine shop close by?
Personally I like to rebuild them. Then I know what's done is done right with the right parts.

[denverwalker13]

would building it myself be cheaper than buying a brand new one though?

[Brockwaykid]

Originally Posted by denverwalker13

would building it myself be cheaper than buying a brand new one though?

Definitely.

[nheller76]

I just finished rebuilding one that would have cost me upwards of 2500$ new. It's worth it and u learn how to do things and the guys hear are a HUGE resource. I had bo skill but with the help of a few friend and thes site I got it done. Way worth rebuilding.
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[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Also you can upgrade to a Vortec 350, and use its accessories for a good shot in HP/TQ, and the same mpg.

The only real thing you'll need for the swap would be a carb'ed intake manifold, as the other items swap over.

You can get a L99 or LT1 cam for more power, and they can be had cheap too.

[Rufton]

I recently installed a brand new vortec 350; 4 bolt long block cost $1930 to the door w/ GM warranty.
May want to get machine shop quotes to see if DIY is cheaper.
Junk yard engine may be cheapest w/ a little luck.

[88Jimmy4x4]

Originally Posted by denverwalker13

would building it myself be cheaper than buying a brand new one though?

no but you can build it for more power

[71maligreen]

plan on around 14-1600 for a stock rebuild on top of your cost of the engine (350)
if you want some descent power and torque 300-350 or higher hp 2000-2500
sum balls out badness 400 plus hp 3500 and up!!
buy a 350 short block preferibly one with a stock bore and have it bored .030 over with some flat top pistons around 10:1 cr
buy a descent new set of heads world,edlebrock,dart, etc.. with 2.02 valves
talk to the machine shop about what your gonna do with it and have them help you pick a cam.
what ever you do talk and get to know your local machine shop guys and get some referances from former customers!!!
this is a .030 over 327 with forged internals and a set of world heads that is new (rebuilt top to bottom and i have about 1000 into it and estemated 350-375 hp

[denverwalker13]

Originally Posted by 71maligreen

plan on around 14-1600 for a stock rebuild on top of your cost of the engine (350)
if you want some descent power and torque 300-350 or higher hp 2000-2500
sum balls out badness 400 plus hp 3500 and up!!
buy a 350 short block preferibly one with a stock bore and have it bored .030 over with some flat top pistons around 10:1 cr
buy a descent new set of heads world,edlebrock,dart, etc.. with 2.02 valves
talk to the machine shop about what your gonna do with it and have them help you pick a cam.
what ever you do talk and get to know your local machine shop guys and get some referances from former customers!!!
this is a .030 over 327 with forged internals and a set of world heads that is new (rebuilt top to bottom and i have about 1000 into it and estemated 350-375 hp

im not looking for too much right now just something for driving back and forth to school and to play with on the weekends, and as far as the block with heads i can get them for about 100 around here

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Get a good block that either has been bored or is in good condition. 1400-2000 is about the price to build but you can get 300-370hp out of it easy depending on what you do.

A 266xe comp cam is better than thier 268xe and a good street cam at that. Performer intakes are easy to find on Craigslist which will save you money. As far as heads go don't worry to much about heads best you will get with a street engine is about a 15hp spread between best and worst until you get to vortecs, those are at least 45hp guaranteed at this level but you will need a vortec intake. Used ones aren't easy to find so buying a new one will cost you some. High compression pistons and a STOCK volume oil pump and some speed pro or clevite77 bearings. Make sure your machine shop checks the rods and make sure they are straight and sized right.

If you want to build your own you can start an engine build thread and I (us) can walk you through it
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[Riley012]

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[Riley012]

I have a 350 that came with a 85 k20 I bought for the body parts, it appears to be a crate motor from gm. I assume it was running fine before it was hit in the right front. You can see the pics on this forum under interchangeable parts.
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[80SPORT]

Originally Posted by denverwalker13

i have a 305 in my truck now and i was wondering if i could pick up a cheep 350 of craigslist and build it cheaper than buying a crate motor, what do you guys think i should go with

GM ....they guys that made your truck can supply a brand new 4 bolt main 350 cid engine with a 2 year warrantee for 1500.00 or less...p/n 10067353

Or the performance version with 290 HP..12499529 for 2000.00 or less

Bolt in with 2 year warrantee...

Available from your local Chevy dealer or numerous resellers...Jegs/Summit etc

(If you are a Canadian buy from a Canadian dealer...no warrantee on cross border sales)

Why go anywhere else...

[79 silverado]

Here is how I answer the question: If something goes awry in the rebuild process can you afford to pay for a second rebuild?

For under $1600 you can get a low-end GM built warranty backed engine. If something fails or a bearing cap wasn't torqued just right, a new one is free.

Not a high horsepower screamer, but, equivalent to what these trucks came with new.

If you build it yourself, and a measurement is just off, or something isnt tightened just right, it'll come apart in a few thousand miles and you are on the hook to pay for new machine work and do it again.

Also, just because you buy a used block for $150, when its torn down, tanked, and magnafluxed it may have cracks and you may need to buy a second or third core before finding a good one....