Engine swap - Keep or sell the original 350?

[Ekliptix]

Hi,

I'm having a 402 put into my 72 Super to replace the stock (original) 350.
I have someone interested in the 350, but don't know if it's a good idea to keep it as part of the original truck. The numbers on the 350 show it as a 1972 block. I'd prefer to sell it to a) get a little cash and b) not have to store it.

Thoughts?

[YBNORML]

Honestly, I would keep it. It's getting harder and harder to find decent blocks. Especially ones that are runners. You never know what's gonna happen in the future. I have a couple stashed away. I just bought some rolling engine cradles from Princess Auto and shrink wrapped them. They fit nicely under a bench.
Posted via Mobile Device

[firedemon]

throw that junk away and don't polute Canada send that crap to new york its a junk yard here anyway ill get rid of it for you . no seriously never get rid of anything

[leftybass209]

If you have the room to store it, and you plan on keeping the truck, you should do so. My truck is already far from stock, so even if I were to go back to an original style I'd use a newer, one piece main seal block.

Preserving originality only makes sense if there's enough left of the vehicle that's original already.

Again, my truck had an engine and trans swap, different seat, wheels, exhaust.... it will never be original again unfortunately!

[57larry]

what does he want to give for it?

[Mike C]

Unless you plan on needing a replacement motor for that truck or another project, I'd sell it.

IMO, "numbers matching" motor on a 67-72 doesn't matter. It's not like the trucks came with hot rod or extra desireable motors like the cars did. No 3735/396, aluminum heads, 302/290 hp, fuel injection, etc. Just a motor to get the truck down the road.

And with the LS series engine, it's hardly worth considering rebuilding a small block Chevy any more.

[custom10nut]

Keep it! You will regret it forever if you let it go

[brad_man_72]

Somebody wants to pay you for a non roller SBC? Take their money!

[Boog]

With the many thousands of these trucks produced a small block 72 isn't all that much special. And with the modern LS engines all the rage it would be a no brainer if you were to remove the big block. Turn that 350 loose. They arent hard to come by.
Posted via Mobile Device

[leddzepp]

Numbers matching means nothing on these trucks. Sell it before he changes his mind.

[Ekliptix]

Wow, definitely not a consensus on here. The current suspension, trans, rear end and engine are not stock but they could theoretically all be returned to stock if needed (I have no intention to).

He has not specified an offer, but I'm thinking $500 US.

[mongocanfly]

I'd sell..I got 1000 for my original 350 with a set of headers and the trans out of mine and couldn't believe I got that for it..that was just gonna be my starting price.. he never even tried to talk me down just handed me a roll of 100s.I've got another 350 I'm fixing to sell as well..I went LS and will probably never go back..

[Boog]

Originally Posted by Ekliptix

Wow, definitely not a consensus on here.

Well a forum with 149,399 members you'll get a few diff opinions.


Posted via Mobile Device
Posted via Mobile Device

[cypressbog]

I'd get rid of it. There's no such thing as 'numbers matching' on these trucks.

[Kw69]

Not to sound stupid.. But I thought there was numbers matching... Oh well learn something everyday. I still have the engine that came with my truck. I will admit that the new LS engine are awesome !

[leftybass209]

Originally Posted by Kw69

Not to sound stupid.. But I thought there was numbers matching... Oh well learn something everyday. I still have the engine that came with my truck. I will admit that the new LS engine are awesome !

Common misconception with these trucks. The VIN was never stamped into the block, such as with GM cars. The closest you can get to numbers matching is a date code on a block that precedes the truck manufacture date. These trucks aren't revered and/or scrutinized for dated matching parts like other vehicles, so hearing numbers matching with these trucks is not only an incorrect statement in most cases, but has no real bearing on vehicle value either.

[Coley]

Hang onto that motor.
It ties the history of your truck together and if you ever sell it...that does count in its financial favour. Plus, the amount you get for it won't offset the loss of it in the long term relative to its value.
Now that said, trucks don't have matching numbers with their engines but they do have year/size/series/trans/engine connections that link them.
...unless you are doing a full dropped, non-original mod...then the history is out the window anyways.

I know if would matter to me if I was looking at buying a mostly original truck...I would be more interested knowing that motor was around.

My two bits.
Coley

[Kw69]

Good to know! Yep I am trying to keep mine original as possible. OP I would be keeping that engine covered and put away for future use. I traced mine back to 69, so I'm definitely keeping mine despite having a drop in engine in the bay now. I will have the origainl rebuilt and put in back in and use the crate drop in for another project...

[palallin]

If you value originality at all, keep the 350, and, for goodness sake, don't put an LS into it.

[cblock]

I think it's all up to your possibilities, if you can do without the extra couple hundred bucks and have the room to store it, i'd say keep it. When you want to sell something you practically have to give it away and when you want to buy that same object it'll cost you an arm and a leg

[DeadheadNM]

I'd keep it if possible. True no "number matching" BUT there is a code stamped on the RH side of the block that denotes its application unless that has been machined off.

When I'm buying, if the original motor is there I consider that to be a big plus. For my K20 rebuild I drove to another state to collect a complete, correct code motor from a 55k mile survivor K20 Suburban the owner removed for an LS swap (I skipped decking the block to preserve the application code). The seller later regretted his decision to sell.

[Already Gone]

I have thought about this subject often so this thread is a definite interesting read.