crate vs. rebuild

[Jmac05]

Considering buying a 67 burb w/no engine. WHat are the pros/cons of getting a create engine, vs getting a rebuilt one?

[imdarren]

First let me state my opinion. I'd stick with the crate motor.
1) The crate motor is new. Original bore size etc.
2) The crate motor will have a better warranty.
3) Having a crate motor in there will make your vehicle worth
more if you sell it.

Rebuild
1) The motor is built using parts from many suppliers (Not all GM parts). If there is a problem they will blame each other, rather than just helping.
2) It cost about the same for a rebuild (wich is just a referbed OLD motor) VS a totally new crate motor for about the same price.

Just my .02 Darren

[jmil1974]

Actually, I'd go with a crate motor from a number of places:
GM Performance or
a couple of good ones on ebay
autorestorations@erols.com
cylinderheadservice
marksperformanceengines
maybe www.goautocenter.com ?

I'd also consider picking up a whole used drivetrain (LT1 or LS1) and retrofit it in there, which would be an extra $1000-2500 beyonf the cost of the drivetrain, depending on your acces to parts and fabrication skills. This will be my preferred method when the time comes. Once it's done properly, just drive it and maintain it like a new car.
Benefits: Factory reliability, driveability, great power, MPG, oooh-ahh factor, easy power upgrades later
Drawbacks: high cost of entry, mainly from fuel system and getting guages to work. I've researched this a LOT and can help with suggestions for parts and vendors if you like. There's also a number of members with nice TPI and LT1 setups with hands-on knowledge.

The GM crates offer a great turn-key package with a warranty! A bit pricey but probably worth it.

First thing you need to do is set up goals in this order:
1 Budget
2 How the truck will be used (towing, commuting, racing, etc.)
3 Priorities (performance, reliability, towing, MPG, etc)
4 How much garbage you're willing to put up with (bad MPG, header bolt tightening, adjusting rockers, tuning carb, etc.) and go from there.

[Dropt72Shortbed]

as darren said, the rebuild prices are almost as much as the crates. i called 3 shops around here to get a price on rebuilding my 350 back to stock with exeption of a mild cam. they ALL wanted more money than it would have cost me to buy the stock GM crate 350.

i bought the stock 350 for $1500 after taxes, i added headers edelbrock intake and carb to it in my 72 c10 shortbed and the thing is definetly not slow. enough power for big smoky two wheel burnouts.

and the kicker is, even with the minor bolt ons i added, and the fact that a non gm mech installed it, its still warrantied for 36k/5yrs. i can take it back to my localy chevy dealership if anything goes wrong and they cover parts and labor.

[Jmac05]

Thanks, all.
Blake, I am in corona, who did you get to install the engine?

[kxmotox247]

GM has crate motors for about every possible application. The best part is that they have a warranty.
Building motors is fun though (when things go smooth). I built my last one but I think the next will be a crate motor.

[7T1BURB]

Having just completed the total rebuild of our original 307 for the "MeatWagon" to insure originality.....in retrospect, however, I'd definitely go with the crate motor (for all the reasons mentioned above). Cost for the 307 rebuild is now very close to base crate motor price.....I guess I'll just have to wear out the 307 quickly and then get it "crated" the next time around!!

[brennecke]

MMMMM...502 Crate motor....Droool

[lux hauler]

The only bad thing that I've heard about the Goodwrench crate motor is that it's a thinner casting than the original motors......? If this is true, long term durability could come into play. I don't know this to be a fact, it's just what one builder told me.
Does anyone here have one that they've put 50,000+ miles on?

[oldiron]

We put one in my wifes 56 chevy in 1989. I now has 186,000 on it. It just started to burn oil from leaky valve guides. She has beaten the living tar out of it on the drag strip over the years also.
Go with the crate.

[Protrucks]

OK I have been looking hard at all my options and wanted to see what you all think. I am thinking of going with a Jasper rebuild motor for my 68 turbo propane motor. I looked at GM and they have a 12/12 warranty while Jasper has a 36/3year. GMs starts when I buy the Motor. Jasper sends someone out when I first start the motor for the first time and the warrantee starts then. Jaspers motor is cheaper if I have a core motor. What to do??

[Dropt72Shortbed]

Originally posted by Jmac05
Thanks, all.
Blake, I am in corona, who did you get to install the engine?

a mechanic i know charged me $500, most shops i spoke to wanted $700-800. wish i had the experience, tools and knowlege to put one in myself.

[dion]

For most people the crate is the way to go but I choose to build. I wanted specific things in my engine that crate engines don't offer until they get up into the $4 to 6 grand. Plus I think I would get more (God forbid I ever have to sell, over my dead body) for the truck if it still had the original block.

[Ratpowerd67]

heres my gm crate. tis in my mud truck and i give it HELL, so far no problems.........rat

[bigjimzlll]

yea..crate motors are great...but if you (like I did) want to say I built it with my own 2 hands...then ... I dont know if I could of had a crate motor built the way I wanted, and could afford to do it. i might of gone that route, but I had a blast building my own, and I will build the next one too

[minibike]

Go with the crate. They come with all the sheetmetal, and the seals installed. I have used two of them, and had no problems.

[breeh]

I second what Dion said. If you just want a stock motor, go with the crate. But, if you want something a little more high performance you can save big $$$ doing it yourself.

[Jmac05]

Thanks for your opinions/info. Is there a certain size I should get over another? I have heard of Edlebrock having good crates? Anyone know about this?

[SoCal71K20]

I also agree with Dion.Generally,there is nothing wrong with the
mass produced crate engines.With little or no knowledge and
usually less hassle,pick the crate.A lot of us though like to assemble and torque our own creations.Lot's of satisfaction while
tooling down the road with an engine you assembled.Comparing
some of the GM prices,it does seem like a good amount of motor
for the price.Dion, I'm in Lemon Grove area.

[guypm]

I bought mine from Scoggins Dickie in Lubbock Tx. Installed a bigger cam,heads,rollerrockers,intake etc. I like mine a lot. My only regret is that it is assembled in Mexico. With the exception of the above named parts. I wish Chevy would keep the business here in the States to help keep our fellow Americans employed. But then again, Chevey would probably have to charge more for their products. I'd pay a little more to keep it all here, would ya'll ?
Just my .02 cents
Guy

[SoCal71K20]

Guypm,we think alike on that subject.I'm tired of being told over
the phone by the Napa counter guy that yeah,yeah,yeah it's
american made,then go over and actually see that it's chineese
or from india.I'm talking about a "premium" water pump and some
small block motor mounts.I usually keep shopping till I find quality
parts.It's getting alot harder though.I have nothing personal
against the other countries of the world.It just tears me up to
drive through America and see so many towns that are drying up
because of lost foundaries,machine works,real parts houses,etc.
when you have these large "American" companies selling us this
foreign crap.

[guypm]

i HEAR YA SOCAL71K20,
i HAD MY BUBBLE BUSTED THE OTHER DAY WHEN A FELLOW BOARD MEMBER ASKED ABOUT THE HEADS I PULLED OFF OF MY CRATE MOTOR. I PUT THEM UP FOR SALE ON THE PARTS BOARD AND HE ASKED FOR THE CASTING NUMBERS WHICH I GAVE HIM. HE REPLIED WITH A "HENCHO EN MEXICO". SO I WENT AND LOOKED AND SURE ENOUGH, THAT IS WHATS ON THE HEADS. THEY ARE STILL FOR SALE CAUSE I HAVE EDELBROCK HEADS NOW. YA THINK $150 IS A FAIR PRICE ? THEY ONLY HAVE ~6,000 MILES ON EM.
I AGREE WITH YOU ABOUT THE OTHER COUNTRIES, BUT I'D REALLY, REALLY, REALLY RATHER BUY AMERICAN

GUY P. MENARD

[GrungyCoin]

I put the stock 350 replacement in my '67 K10 have had no trouble with it what so ever. First thing I had to do was get over the Hencho en Mexico cast all over the thing. But all in all its been a good engine its still turning the gears. My plans are to rebuild rebuild my 283 and add TPI. I think this will be a sweet combo. I love how the 283 reved.

'67 K10

[GMC1967]

I'm not sure if this is true but i've always been told that an old motor has had the stresses worked out of it, and the metal is more stable, and a rebuilt motor is better than a brand new one for that reason. Again I don't know, this might be an old wives tale, but there ya go.

[weasel29gm]

I've always had mine built by a good buddy who used to build drag and stock car motors. We just kept it simple and shopped and traded wisely. I've never had over a grand in any of them. Never any problems, if I told you what I got in this you wouldn't believe me. But if you don't have that kind of resources go with a crate over a rebuild Ithink you get more for your money. My 2 cents!!