Should I buy this motor? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

elks · 01-17-2011, 09:50 PM

Ok guys I have found a 1970 350 out of a short bed. The guy is selling the motor, the tranny complete for $300. It has the edlebrock proformer carb and intake, new hei distributor, and will come complete from top to bottom. Bad news is the guy has no history on the motor. The compression check was low on all cylinders and when started the it smoked pretty bad. No knocks etc.

I am looking for a motor to rebuild(as part of a college course) and think that this is a good deal, at the very least it is almost the cost for a core.

My other question: How far can the 350 block be bored until it is too far? I know that 30 over is pretty common, but where is the limit?

Thanks a bunch I am pretty certain I should buy it just for the parts.

**Palf70Step** · 01-17-2011, 09:57 PM

Myself, no...I'd looks elsewhere. Even if I was going to rebuild it anyways, you may end up with an unusable block. How many times has it been bored already, damage beyond repair. Especially on a 40 year old unknown engine. Even with the other parts, I am not sure it is worth it. BTW, check the numbers. I got burned on one and found out later it was a 305 not 350.

69C-owner · 01-17-2011, 10:02 PM

Run the numbers to see what it is, IMO its worth 300 for the parts, the low compression is probably due to old bad rings and possibly valve seals so with a rebuild and maybe a little boring you should have a good engine, as far as how big you can go idk but i have heard of ppl building 396 strokers, if i remember right to do a 396 you have to do some block clearancing for the rods also.
Jon
Good luck

sameyrasmea72 · 01-17-2011, 10:05 PM

Not a bad price if the block is good. I would look for one that somebody knows the history on. If that one has been bored a time or two, it will be sxpensive scrap,

peglegs · 01-17-2011, 10:09 PM

ask for a guarenteed magnaflux & no more than .030 rebore when machine shop bores it out, if he doesnt go for it then your out nothing.

elks · 01-17-2011, 10:20 PM

It does also come with the automatic tranny which when driven shifted nice and smooth up to 50. It down shifted nice as well. I really do not need the tranny, but I figured the tranny with it would make it a doable deal regardless if the vbloock is not rebuildable.

Olds-kewl · 01-18-2011, 09:27 AM

According to the guy from Chevytech.com a 350ci block can be bored safely to
0.040. Anyway in my neck of the woods $300.00 would be a steal plus you get the the Tranny. I would buy it.

cdowns · 01-18-2011, 09:55 AM

alot of people say no but i've seen plenty of .060over engines last for a long rugged lifetime

make sure of the displacement by running the numbers loads of guys sell 305 307 engines as 350's

with the manifold carb and tranny i'd think it's worth the money// look at the front of the engine for rebuilders marks and overheat strips(freeze plugs)

Longhorn Man · 01-18-2011, 10:17 AM

i've seen a high nickle block punched out .080 and was driven (hard) on the street. He was up around 75,000 miles on it when I moved away 10 years ago. It was still strong, but he whined that it needed a new cam and was planning on bearings and some othere things.

Honestly, I would look for a roller block. Since you are starting with nothing, it is a much better plan. The only reason to build a non roller (other than originality) is becouse you already have the motor. Since you don't have one, no point in looking for one.

bigsnookmaster · 01-18-2011, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longhorn man

i've seen a high nickle block punched out .080 and was driven (hard) on the street. He was up around 75,000 miles on it when i moved away 10 years ago. It was still strong, but he whined that it needed a new cam and was planning on bearings and some othere things.

Honestly, i would look for a roller block. Since you are starting with nothing, it is a much better plan. The only reason to build a non roller (other than originality) is becouse you already have the motor. Since you don't have one, no point in looking for one.

x-2

allengator · 01-18-2011, 10:36 AM

OK... sorry.. but the guys telling you "NO!" are crazy... INSANE, I SAY!!! NUTS!!! BONKERSS!!!! ok.. you get the idea...

If the block is WORTHLESS you havent lost anything...
WITH tranny, WITH intake, WITH carb, WITH HEI ????

.060 is not a problem with a 350... these are TANKS!

BUY IT... BUILD IT !!!!

krazy_texan · 01-18-2011, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allengator

OK... sorry.. but the guys telling you "NO!" are crazy... INSANE, I SAY!!! NUTS!!! BONKERSS!!!! ok.. you get the idea...

If the block is WORTHLESS you havent lost anything...
WITH tranny, WITH intake, WITH carb, WITH HEI ????

.060 is not a problem with a 350... these are TANKS!

BUY IT... BUILD IT !!!!

i completley agree go price that edelbrock intake and carb brand new your looking at $500 in parts easy plus the HEI if the engine runs but has week compression i am more than willing to bet you have a good engine on you hands just a tired one i would jume on that deal personally.

allengator · 01-18-2011, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krazy_texan

i completley agree go price that edelbrock intake and carb brand new your looking at $500 in parts easy plus the HEI if the engine runs but has week compression i am more than willing to bet you have a good engine on you hands just a tired one i would jume on that deal personally.

At least the CRAZY TEXAN isnt crazy!!!

Good point... its a RUNNING engine!
Very unlikely the block is not useable!!

mr48chev · 01-18-2011, 12:04 PM

I'd say he is offering you a fair deal as it run and has the carb and intake which are easily worth half or more of what he is asking for the whole thing.

BUT: as others said, run the numbers and make sure that it is a 350 and not a 305 or 307.

01-17-2011, 09:50 PM	#1
elks Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: NW, Colorado Posts: 285	Should I buy this motor? Ok guys I have found a 1970 350 out of a short bed. The guy is selling the motor, the tranny complete for $300. It has the edlebrock proformer carb and intake, new hei distributor, and will come complete from top to bottom. Bad news is the guy has no history on the motor. The compression check was low on all cylinders and when started the it smoked pretty bad. No knocks etc. I am looking for a motor to rebuild(as part of a college course) and think that this is a good deal, at the very least it is almost the cost for a core. My other question: How far can the 350 block be bored until it is too far? I know that 30 over is pretty common, but where is the limit? Thanks a bunch I am pretty certain I should buy it just for the parts. __________________ Confidence is the feeling we have before we fully comprehend the situation Last edited by elks; 01-17-2011 at 09:55 PM.

01-17-2011, 09:57 PM	#2
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 46,788	Re: Should I buy this motor? Myself, no...I'd looks elsewhere. Even if I was going to rebuild it anyways, you may end up with an unusable block. How many times has it been bored already, damage beyond repair. Especially on a 40 year old unknown engine. Even with the other parts, I am not sure it is worth it. BTW, check the numbers. I got burned on one and found out later it was a 305 not 350. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

01-17-2011, 10:02 PM	#3
69C-owner Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Apison Tn Posts: 490	Re: Should I buy this motor? Run the numbers to see what it is, IMO its worth 300 for the parts, the low compression is probably due to old bad rings and possibly valve seals so with a rebuild and maybe a little boring you should have a good engine, as far as how big you can go idk but i have heard of ppl building 396 strokers, if i remember right to do a 396 you have to do some block clearancing for the rods also. Jon Good luck __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=43855069 LWB Fleet 1994 Buick Roadmaster 1994 GMC Sonoma

01-17-2011, 10:05 PM	#4
sameyrasmea72 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,443	Re: Should I buy this motor? Not a bad price if the block is good. I would look for one that somebody knows the history on. If that one has been bored a time or two, it will be sxpensive scrap, __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super 80 Silverado Blazer 2wd

01-17-2011, 10:09 PM	#5
peglegs Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: grants pass, oregon Posts: 390	Re: Should I buy this motor? ask for a guarenteed magnaflux & no more than .030 rebore when machine shop bores it out, if he doesnt go for it then your out nothing. __________________ 1990 chevy 4x4 with a 1940 IHC body

01-17-2011, 10:20 PM	#6
elks Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: NW, Colorado Posts: 285	Re: Should I buy this motor? It does also come with the automatic tranny which when driven shifted nice and smooth up to 50. It down shifted nice as well. I really do not need the tranny, but I figured the tranny with it would make it a doable deal regardless if the vbloock is not rebuildable. __________________ Confidence is the feeling we have before we fully comprehend the situation

01-18-2011, 09:27 AM	#7
Olds-kewl Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 16	Re: Should I buy this motor? According to the guy from Chevytech.com a 350ci block can be bored safely to 0.040. Anyway in my neck of the woods $300.00 would be a steal plus you get the the Tranny. I would buy it.

01-18-2011, 09:55 AM	#8
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Should I buy this motor? alot of people say no but i've seen plenty of .060over engines last for a long rugged lifetime make sure of the displacement by running the numbers loads of guys sell 305 307 engines as 350's with the manifold carb and tranny i'd think it's worth the money// look at the front of the engine for rebuilders marks and overheat strips(freeze plugs) __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

01-18-2011, 10:17 AM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Should I buy this motor? i've seen a high nickle block punched out .080 and was driven (hard) on the street. He was up around 75,000 miles on it when I moved away 10 years ago. It was still strong, but he whined that it needed a new cam and was planning on bearings and some othere things. Honestly, I would look for a roller block. Since you are starting with nothing, it is a much better plan. The only reason to build a non roller (other than originality) is becouse you already have the motor. Since you don't have one, no point in looking for one.

01-18-2011, 10:36 AM	#11
allengator Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Burleson, Texas Posts: 596	Re: Should I buy this motor? OK... sorry.. but the guys telling you "NO!" are crazy... INSANE, I SAY!!! NUTS!!! BONKERSS!!!! ok.. you get the idea... If the block is WORTHLESS you havent lost anything... WITH tranny, WITH intake, WITH carb, WITH HEI ???? .060 is not a problem with a 350... these are TANKS! BUY IT... BUILD IT !!!! __________________ Allengator Outta the Blue (my band - available for hire in the DFW area!) 1980 Chevy SWB Pickup (build thread) 1951 Chevy Sedan Delivery 2004 Chevy Tahoe Z71 2011 Harley Davidson Street Glide 2018 Silverado Z71 Crew Cab

01-18-2011, 12:04 PM	#14
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,436	Re: Should I buy this motor? I'd say he is offering you a fair deal as it run and has the carb and intake which are easily worth half or more of what he is asking for the whole thing. BUT: as others said, run the numbers and make sure that it is a 350 and not a 305 or 307.



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