need help installing a motor

[jojo]

Hey ya'll, I've decided to ditch the 305 thats leaking in all the wrong places and go with a 350 from a local machine shop.

The guy wants $450 for the long block delivered to the house or he said they'll install for $1300.

I never installed a motor before but I'm up to the task.

So my questions:
1. Is his pricing reasonable?
2. Everything should just swap over right? (intake, fuel pump, distributor etc.)
3. What is the parts and supplies list that I need? (gaskets,sealants etc.)
4. Any special tools?
5. Can I do this install in one day by myself with no experience?

I want to do it myself but if I have to buy a lot of stuff that adds up close to $1300, I might just have them do the install for me. What do you guys think?

[smn69]

It is pretty easy if you have the right equipment. Your are correct that the distributor, intake, and other accessories should transfer right over. You will need an engine lift and if the tranny is out bolt it up to the engine and put them both in at the same time. The lift and a buddy to help is really about all you need. Line up 2 motor mounts and a transmission mount and it is in. It is then a matter of connecting all the plumbing and electrical, which on these trucks is not a lot of stuff. Get a Haynes manual or something similar that has step by step instructions, and you should be able to do it. As far as the price the guy wants, the motor sound reasonable the install sounds a little steep to me.

[aford78]

I agree, If you are going to pull the old motor out, just install the new one the same way you take the old one out.

[redbaron69]

take some pictures of how the wiring and plumbing is routed before you start taking that 305 out. this will give you some good referances to look back at if you get stuck on something. you can also wrap some tape around the connections and label were they go. its not that hard im sure you can do it,and good luck.

[kevmic28]

Holy hell $450 for a long block. I need this shops name. I drive across the state for that. I cant find a long block for less than a thousand near me.

[lks dcvn]

I installed a motor last summer - pulled it out of one truck and had it installed in the other one in an afternoon. I had never done one before...

Took the longest to get all the crud off the trans and engine when I pulled it prior to installing it in the other truck - it was pretty dirty with oil, sand, mud, etc.

Engine Hoist and a buddy and it was pretty easy -

[jojo]

Originally Posted by kevmic28

Holy hell $450 for a long block. I need this shops name. I drive across the state for that. I cant find a long block for less than a thousand near me.

Just look up on craigslist parts section for the san antonio area. There's 2 or 3 shops that post up there on a daily basis, all offering about the same for a chevy long block. They're just remanufactured not new.

[msgross]

$100 harbor freight engine hoist, and a day and you should be good. Is there any warranty on his longblock?

Is your tranny an auto?

do you have an HEI? if not get a skipwhite HEI and wires off Ebay

I'd buy a few new parts though.. $25 water pump, $20 fuel pump, big tube of black RTV for the intake ends, gaskets for the intake, new plugs, wires, HEI, oil, filter, etc..

[kevmic28]

Originally Posted by jojo

Just look up on craigslist parts section for the san antonio area. There's 2 or 3 shops that post up there on a daily basis, all offering about the same for a chevy long block. They're just remanufactured not new.

Im in east Texas. I have been looking in the Houston and Dallas area but never thought to check SA craigslist.

[jojo]

Originally Posted by msgross

$100 harbor freight engine hoist, and a day and you should be good. Is there any warranty on his longblock?

Is your tranny an auto?

do you have an HEI? if not get a skipwhite HEI and wires off Ebay

I'd buy a few new parts though.. $25 water pump, $20 fuel pump, big tube of black RTV for the intake ends, gaskets for the intake, new plugs, wires, HEI, oil, filter, etc..

I don't think he's got a warranty on the block unless they install it, then it's a 3 year warranty.

The tranny is auto (700r4) I don't want to remove the tranny unless ya'll think it would make the job easier.

I'd buy a few new parts though.. $25 water pump, $20 fuel pump, big tube of black RTV for the intake ends, gaskets for the intake, new plugs, wires, HEI, oil, filter, etc..

What's the etc.? I'm gonna try to do it with only one trip to the parts store! (as if thats possible )

[jojo]

Originally Posted by kevmic28

Im in east Texas. I have been looking in the Houston and Dallas area but never thought to check SA craigslist.

We may be 3rd in population in sunny Texas, but we're 1st in cheapness!

[msgross]

i wouldn't worry about a warranty if it was only $450 then.


I would start with a skipwhite HEI and plug wires, then just add the basic tuneup stuff mentioned. I guess etc.. would be PCV, carb filter, fuel filter, and everything else listed.

Here is skip white on Ebay.. $42 for an HEI is a steal, and i've only heard good things about them too..

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/whiteper...__W0QQ_armrsZ1

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by kevmic28

Holy hell $450 for a long block. I need this shops name. I drive across the state for that. I cant find a long block for less than a thousand near me.

http://www.citymotorsupply.com/index.html

They are in Dallas. A 350 long block runs 560 dollars. I've put in a bunch of their engines in customer cars at a shop where I used to work.

[kevmic28]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

http://www.citymotorsupply.com/index.html

They are in Dallas. A 350 long block runs 560 dollars. I've put in a bunch of their engines in customer cars at a shop where I used to work.

Hey thanks Kevin. Now I just need to pony up the cash.
Whats the difference in the prices on the long blocks? long block, premium long block, premium long block extra???

[heavy71chevy]

prolly the quality of the parts and brands..or in crate engine terms how complete the engine is

[jojo]

I spoke to the machine shop again today for more info.

They suggested I get a premium long block since I have never installed a motor before.

He said the premium block includes rocker arms and push rods that are already installed and adjusted.

The catch is, they want $620 for the deal. I'm no mechanic so I have no idea if I should go this route or just get a basic long block and figure it all out on my own.

Oh yeah he says my core will have to be a 350 if I want a 350.

So it looks like I'm stuck with a 305 unless I want to buy the 350 outright which would cost almost $900.

I think the 305 will be fine for me since that's what I've been running already and its pretty strong. So a fresh 305 should be even better. He said they'll put in a high power cam to give me more power.

What do ya'll think?

[Zoomin]

This is a tough one. If you have a friend that's done this before, save the money and get the standard 305.

[msgross]

unless you sell your 305, buy a junkyard core and get the longblock... lot of work if your engine runs though...

[cparman]

1300 installed, or 1300 plus labor to install. If it is 1300 out the door, you are crazy for getting your hands dirty. As long as there is a guaranty. Too many times I see someone getting what they paid for. Do some homework, check the machine shop out. If you look online a new 260 Hp crate motor is 1600 or so, 290 hp 1900 ish. These numbers do not include the install labor. If sounds too cheap it is.

[57larry]

pull the engine and tranny together

[Jim_PA]

There's gotta be a dead 350 sitting somewhere you can pick up for a song!

[Wrenchbender Ret]

Ive put in hundreds of them when I had a shop & still do them occasionally as a hobby. I'll bet a large amount of money that you cannot do it in a day & more money then that that you can do it with only one trip to the parts store. Get some references from the engine builder especially commercial installers. A lousy "rebuild" can turn into a nightmare. I like the Goodwrench new engines myself. Leave the trans. in the truck unless you need to do major work on it. Do a good clean job of transferring parts. Clean gasket surfaces & use new bolts when nessesary. You will more then likely need new ex. manifold bolts. Use grade 8. You can get a lot of help & advise on this website, so don't be bashful about asking questions. We have all gone through this.

[piecesparts]

Good luck on that engine. I have been taught that you get what you pay for and my painful experiences have supported that. Take time to learn about the shop and their products, before spending hard earned money. Other than that, it is easy to do the engine change out.