350 dead...which crate 350 replacement?

[Daubs]

Finally figured out the motor issues in my '72 K-20. Pulled the engine then pulled the heads. No problem with gaskets or heads. Engine man said check cylinder walls for cracks...and that was it! Nice little crack in the #6 cylinder wall.

He said I could sleve the cylinder, but if the engine has been rebuilt already, and it's 70s' vintage engine, then probably better off in long run just buying a crate engine.

GM has a 290 HP crate 350 for ~$1,700

290 HP HO 350

Here is the lower HP version for a little less (~$1,500)

1971-1985-Lt-Dty-Trks-350

My dealer may be able to get me a little off those prices. Haven't talked to him yet.

I have Edelbrock alum intake and Holly carb with ram-horn exhaust man. Dual exhaust with glass packs. It is four speed manual, 4x4 truck with 4.10 gears.

Suggestions? Thanks, D.

[special-K]

For your truck,HT383.

[Daubs]

That would be really cool, but I could use the extra $$ for new parts / paint/etc. on my truck. I think the HT383 is about $4k.

[wibilly]

i have the 290 hp with performer rpm and 670cfm street avenger in my vette it performs very well.not a race car by any means but very respectable

[QKENUF4U]

ive used the 290hp motors twice in my various vehicles and they do the job just fine. i only paid 1200$ for mine but thats in BFE pennsylvania.

[Kurt L]

i have a 350 4 bolt main[86] that has been bored30 over327 375 horse cam 194 heads stock aluminum intake.double roller timing chain and gear,still on my engine stand if you think you mite been interested in.was going to put in my 70 but don't have a garage or time to do it.the heads have screw in studs.these heads are brand new never been on an engine till i set them on my engine.

[Daubs]

Thanks Kurt, but I'm giong to pass. Florida is a long way to go for an engine. And I've had hot cams in my manual tranny trucks before ("151" grind in my 82 Chevy 4x4) and it didn't work well. I like the low end torque / grunt instead of high rpm horsepower.

That engine would be great behind auto, maybe even with stall converter. But that's not for me. Thanks anyway.

[Palf70Step]

I have the weaker one, 10067353, and getting it ready to go in my truck. since I didn't have a core (my dealer only takes a 350 core for a 350 and I had a 305) it ran me 1440 back in January. I have heard from others it is a good solid engine if yourshorter on cash. I haven't run mine yet, so I don't know for sure, but ince I went from a stock 305 tothis, I figure I am miles ahead. Only mods mine will have is the Edelbrock Performer manifold, Edelbrock 1405 carb and a set of Dynomax headers.

[72armyswbtruck]

I love my crate 350 from GM, although if you have a few extra dollars get the next higher up.

[dougs69c10]

napa has a line of crate motors, they start at 2500 for a 350, but they come with everything but a carb and distributor. The smallest out put is 300hp and 400lb ft. They all come with a 1yr/12,000 mile warranty. Ballanced, blue printed, cnc'd the works. They range from that up to 5k for a small block and up to 383 cubes, and up to 500 hp and 500 lb ft. Napaengine.com will give you a look at all that we offer for performance engines

also forgot free shipping

[68Stepbed]

www.smedingperformance.com check out the 350 Magnum engine.

[qksilver]

I was checking out the Napa engine site, pretty sweet except no prices. The Napa store here.......let me just say I wouldn't buy anything from them.
Where/who can I call to find out wholesale/jobber price?
Thanks,
Steve

[shifty]

if i could get anything, it would be a ZZ4, hands down, no questions asked.

[Daubs]

Looking more in depth at the numbers behind these engines.

Part # 12499529
290 HP @ 5100 RPM
326 TQ @ 3750 RPM
Cam is .450" intake lift and .460" exhaust lift
~$1750 with 1 year, 24k mile warranty - no core

Part# 10067353
260 HP @ 4300 RPM
350 TQ @ 3500 RPM
Cam is .383" intake lift and .401" exhaust lift.
~$1400 with 3 year, 100k mile warranty - $100 core deposit

This truck rarely sees highway use. And with age, rattly t-case lever and not best brakes, I'm not inclined to push her much beyond 60 MPH.

Part of me likes the higher HP, especially since I'll be putting on Edelbrock intake with Holley carb and Ram-horn headers. I'm guessing that combination would push me above the 300 HP barrier(?)

But other part of me loves low end torque! Love that grunt. What do you think people? Pros and cons???

[crazy longhorn]

Originally Posted by Daubs

Thanks Kurt, but I'm giong to pass. Florida is a long way to go for an engine. And I've had hot cams in my manual tranny trucks before ("151" grind in my 82 Chevy 4x4) and it didn't work well. I like the low end torque / grunt instead of high rpm horsepower.

That engine would be great behind auto, maybe even with stall converter. But that's not for me. Thanks anyway.

If you were not happy with the "151" grind, you will not be happy with that L-82 cam thats in the 290 hp 350. Not a bad setup for you lite weight car, but IMO, the cam is too big for an 8.5 to 1 sb(especially in a truck). If you want the low end grunt, the 260 hp crate might be the better choice. Best of luck.. L

[wibilly]

i agree with crazy longhorn, for a truck i'd rather have the torque at a lower rpm where you need it to get a load rolling and closer to cruse rpm to keep it moving when you come to a hill. forget the hp the torque is what your after go with the 260 horse for more torque at lower rpm and better fuel economy as an added bonus

[dougs69c10]

Originally Posted by qksilver

I was checking out the Napa engine site, pretty sweet except no prices. The Napa store here.......let me just say I wouldn't buy anything from them.
Where/who can I call to find out wholesale/jobber price?
Thanks,
Steve

give me the part numbers and Ill find out at work for you, part number will be the 6 or 7 letters and numbers next to it.

[Daubs]

Good advice wibilly & longhorn:

My 82 K-10 4x4 had 3.08 rear end and the 305 v8. Purchased with bad engine knowing that we would have rebuilt. Stock intake, carb, exhaust, etc. Builder was friend of Dad and asked if I wanted a hotter cam (151 grind from the 350 HP Chevy 327). Okay, I said, being college guy at time. It ran great once you got the RPM's to it, but had nothing down low.

So I opted to pull the cam and install something closer to stock. I (think it was "252H" comp cam, similar lift to the 290 HP engine). Dad thought I was crazy and would never get it back together, but I did. And it ran much better!

Those high HP numbers lure you in, but in the end I think I would rather have higher torque at lower RPM.

This truck's very different than the 82. If someone can convince me the Edelbrock / Holley carb / ram-horns / duals with glass packs and 4.10 gears would work better with the 290 HP engine, well, I might listen.

[JAKES 68GMC]

I'd take the 260hp one.