Older vs. newer 350?

[rick0312]

I am looking for a 350 sbc for my 69 c10. if i go with a newer one piece rear seal motor are there any smog issues that i will have to address. I don't want to have to deal with emmission. What would you guys suggest?

Thanks
Rick

[ksjh1316]

I feel your pain on this decision. Just glad I live in Kansas where there are no emission requirements. You can have a smoke screen coming out the back and its still ok. Good Luck.

[Longhorn Man]

that's something you'll have to ask your inspection station. Your state has some screwed up laws.
Per federal regs, yeah, you'll need to be tested and pass as a what ever the engine came out of...engine came out of a 91 caprice... your truck will be smogged as said caprice... cats, sensors, everything would need swapped.
However, I think Cali is the only one who really follows that.

[rick0312]

I quess I will stay old school. My state currently has emission exemption if driven less than 5k per year. I meet that requiremnet, but every so often I hear rumblings that the stae legislature is going to recind that law. It's 2 piece rear seal for me!..........thanks

[vette442]

What PA plates/registration are you running? Regular, classic, antique?

If Classic or Antique, you will be emissions exempt since your truck is pre-1974. If regular plates, you may have some issues although I haven't heard my inspection mechanic b*tch about having engines meet the specs of the year/application from which they originated. He's a Vette and hot rod builder so he'd be up on that and he would be ranting against the state regulations regularly. If you drive it under 5,000 miles per year, you'll also be exempt based on that.

[truckdude239]

here in north calionia any vechical 35 years or old are expmet or our inspection. meaning no inspections i can have a 572 with a blower sticking oput my hood and they cant say anything..

[jfalesi]

I would get a GM Goodwrench 350 crate engine. If you're replacing a stock 350, you get a 3-year warranty and they'll match it to your year, so no smog crap. If PA is like NJ, you only have to pass 1969 emissions.

[BCOWANWHEELS]

older engines are better built and made of thicker higher quality materials. newest thing i own is a 1972 and its gonna last me the rest of my life. i,ve dug in and they can lump it. they asked for it with the prices of new, lower quality and we cant even work on it cauz its so complicated not to mention a computer. there is no reason to put a computer on a vehicle.....
jmo
bob

[Scott68-93-97]

You only have to comply with the year vehicle you have not the year of the motor plus newer is never a problem even in cali. Plus anything older than 76 is emiisions exept here in cali so no worries. You can put any engine in any new car here in cali as long as it complies with smog laws from that year. EXAMPLE 95 chevy truck any year motor with a comperable cat, egr, and smog pump will do. 90's toyota pickup with v8 put on a smog pump, egr and cat to comply with that year hit up the reffery station and they'll give you an engine plate that says thats ok as long as it meets smog for that year so with a 69 truck throw whatever in and theres no smog/emission equipment required cause the 69 didn't come with much.

[Scott68-93-97]

Originally Posted by BCOWANWHEELS

older engines are better built and made of thicker higher quality materials. newest thing i own is a 1972 and its gonna last me the rest of my life. i,ve dug in and they can lump it. they asked for it with the prices of new, lower quality and we cant even work on it cauz its so complicated not to mention a computer. there is no reason to put a computer on a vehicle.....
jmo
bob

That is not really true LS blocks from chevrolet ie;LS1 LS6 LS7's are built to withstand 3000 horespower try that with your 72 350. Even a lot of the older generation small blocks that are still produced are stronger, they have a higher carbon content to them. I'd go with the new block the one peice seal is also a better design.

[Longhorn Man]

I'd want a newer one just to have the roller cam provisions without an expensive roller conversion.

Scott, just becouse cali is turning a blind eye, doesn't mean it is legal.

I'm only saying all this, so that one will look into there local smog laws before doing anything. Federal law is federal law.

Now, with all that being said, my 78 cad engine in my 70 one ton is not smog compliant.
However, this part of ohio doesn't smog cars, so I take advantage of it.

[Angelse68cal]

I changed my Older 350 to the Newer one with the one piece seal its in my 72 Jimmy and I am here in Ca everything is fine.

[68gmsee]

I had always heard that newer engines were made of better, higher quality metal alloys to withstand higher rpms and less lubrication (unleaded gas). If this is true, I would go for the newer one if you can afford it.

I'm contemplating the same for my 69 chevy. I have an older '77 impala engine in it and not sure if I'm going to overhaul it or get a crate motor. Price to overhaul is app $800 crate motor is app. $1500.

Strongly leaning towards the crate motor, though.

[Scott68-93-97]

Cali has the strictest smog laws of any of our 50 great states theres a lot of parts that are 49 state legal out there not 50 and that one is us this state is full of the dumbest liberal idiots Ive ever seen people where dust mask sometimes to make a point about the smog, my point is if it flyes here it will work there, my dad has had his smog licence for 32 years and this info comes from him, my buddy also has a 87 toyota with a 350 in it and it passes smog with flying colors he has a plate on his firewall from a federal referee station that says thats ok to have that motor and has been inspected by so and so licence # etc etc. Just wait until Gore gets some more pull on these bull shiza global warming issues and were all gonna have to smog em 50 years back.

[Scott68-93-97]

Roller cam is always a plus to on newer engines and yes the metal make up is stronger and more consistantly controlled than it was 30 years ago so theres less chance of the bad egg also. Go with the new motor fur sure

[rick0312]

thanks for all the info. One piece seal might be the way to go!

[bayer20]

You can always use a newer engine in an older car, EPA actually want you to. However They don't perform emissions testing on a 69 in PA? Here in NC anything than a 95 or older is not required from smog testing.
You should go with a 87 or newer block since it all owes you to use a factory roller Camshaft which can make an easy 50hp difference and it will last longer than a flat tapped cam. Less friction!!!