Thoughts on the 351E - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Pepin · 11-19-2013, 02:53 PM

I wanted to get your guys opinion on the GMC 351E Engine. I currently have a 1967 with this engine and I am driving it around. Engine runs fine had some problems with the carb and I just rebuilt the heads. BOTH things seem simple enough to fix BUT with this rare engine parts are near IMPOSSIBLE to find. People tell me i should leave it original because it would be worth more BUT i do not intend on selling the car so I am considering swapping out for a more reliable 350 (AND i can get parts galore anywhere for it). I guess what I am asking IS what would you guys do? swap the engine? keep as is? or what? I look forward to hearing from you guys.

Longhorn 70 · 11-19-2013, 02:57 PM

I like the V6s for the cool factor. The 351E is the best of the bunch in my opinion. Except when it comes to adding the 5 gallons of coolant to them....

350's, dime a dozen. If you do replace it, you may miss its cool factor.

Mater/10 · 11-19-2013, 02:57 PM

Do the swap but Keep the 351! so if you ever want to re swap it in for what ever reason you can.

**MusicMan70** · 11-19-2013, 07:52 PM

Keep it an more photos of truck. Automatic?

lil hoodlum · 11-19-2013, 07:56 PM

I say keep it as well. Heard they are nearly industructable.

truckster · 11-19-2013, 10:49 PM

I had one in my 66 GMC. Unless you plan to hotrod the truck, I'd leave it. It's as solid as an engine gets.

**bigmac73** · 11-20-2013, 08:51 AM

i would throw it in a corner , cool factor dose not add up to practicalty in my book, just a piece of pig iron, I dont know why they ever put them in a truck, it would have been suited better for a tractor

Pepin · 11-20-2013, 05:36 PM

Well thanks for the responses guy...i guess I will keep it in for now and see how it goes...reason i am asking is because my financial situation is not great right now and my daily driver hit the bucket...so my other choices for now are this truck or my 64 impala...this truck was the more practical choice...

So far i have added power steering, Holley 500 CFM bbl carb, rebuit the tranny and rebuit the heads...oh and i just got new tires for it...I will try to post more pics later but since we have been working on it she is not really clean right now Imma have to clean her up a bit first

duallyjams · 11-20-2013, 06:00 PM

Have you upgraded the exhaust also to complement the carb & heads.With the upgrades it should be running good.

Pepin · 11-20-2013, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duallyjams

Have you upgraded the exhaust also to complement the carb & heads.With the upgrades it should be running good.

No i believe the flowmaster 50 series is recommended right? Im not sure about it...im a bit iffy....

duallyjams · 11-20-2013, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pepin

No i believe the flowmaster 50 series is recommended right? Im not sure about it...im a bit iffy....

Dual exhaust really helps with letting it breath. I would use what muffler you want far as how loud or quite you want it.

Pepin · 11-20-2013, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duallyjams

Dual exhaust really helps with letting it breath. I would use what muffler you want far as how loud or quite you want it.

It is currently dual exhaust...im just not sure on what muffler to use since its a V6

factorystock · 11-20-2013, 09:02 PM

The V6 GMC was all about maximum durability as well as maximum torque at low rpm. It was designed during a time when most trucks were not purchased to perform like passenger cars, they were purchased to do grueling hard work. Thicker parts, more oil flow, more water flow than any other gas engine pickup. I would have liked to have seen the 351 available as an option in pickups in 1960, but GMC waited for 1966 to install them in pickups. GMC also waited till 1968 to make the 3.54 ratio available on 3/4 tons, I would have liked to see this ratio available with the very first 351 3/4 tons. The high torque of this engine can easily handle this ratio at comfortable cruising speeds. The problem is times changed, the market changed, and more car like performance became the order of the day. Fast forward 2013, engine has been out of production for close to 40 years and finding parts is becoming a problem.

**Bob B.** · 11-21-2013, 04:53 AM

Really a great engine, they are very reliable and have lots of low end torque. The negatives are they are hard to find parts for now (pistons are particularly hard to find, intake and exhaust valves, Fel-Pro has discontinued full gasket sets). The 351E and larger GMC V-6's used a large Stromberg carburetor that has a unique bolt pattern. The Holley 500 c.f.m. 2bbl. really wakes the 351E up, but you have to fabricate an adapter for it (sounds like you figured that out). Many of the rest of the parts are the same as the more common 305 V-6. You can find parts on Ebay, but don't be in too much of a hurry. I run 50 series Flowmasters, 2.5" duals with a crossover. It's a little loud but has a nice sound to it.

This is the source for GM V-6 information:

http://6066gmcclub.com/gmcguy/

11-19-2013, 02:53 PM	#1
Pepin Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Sylmar Posts: 45	Thoughts on the 351E I wanted to get your guys opinion on the GMC 351E Engine. I currently have a 1967 with this engine and I am driving it around. Engine runs fine had some problems with the carb and I just rebuilt the heads. BOTH things seem simple enough to fix BUT with this rare engine parts are near IMPOSSIBLE to find. People tell me i should leave it original because it would be worth more BUT i do not intend on selling the car so I am considering swapping out for a more reliable 350 (AND i can get parts galore anywhere for it). I guess what I am asking IS what would you guys do? swap the engine? keep as is? or what? I look forward to hearing from you guys.

11-19-2013, 02:57 PM	#2
Longhorn 70 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Chandler AZ Posts: 1,149	Re: Thoughts on the 351E I like the V6s for the cool factor. The 351E is the best of the bunch in my opinion. Except when it comes to adding the 5 gallons of coolant to them.... 350's, dime a dozen. If you do replace it, you may miss its cool factor. __________________ 1970 Longhorn, Front Disc, 350/4 bolt, 882 heads, HEI, Edelbrock, 700R4, HO-52/4.11. 1996 Corvette, Collector Roadster, LT4, 396, 450RWHP, 6sp, 4.11/Dana44/posi 5 point roll bar And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Gal 6:9

11-19-2013, 02:57 PM	#3
Mater/10 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 331	Re: Thoughts on the 351E Do the swap but Keep the 351! so if you ever want to re swap it in for what ever reason you can. __________________ 1964 Chevorlet Custom 10 350/350 ,ps,mb,A/c,BBW -Build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=608625 1969 Chevy Nova 2 dr I6 250/powerglide 1967,68,69,70,71,72 Chevy Frankenstein

11-19-2013, 07:52 PM	#4
MusicMan70 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 1,842	Re: Thoughts on the 351E Keep it an more photos of truck. Automatic? __________________ MusicMan70 1961 GMC Suburban

11-19-2013, 07:56 PM	#5
lil hoodlum Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Denton, Texas Posts: 1,735	Re: Thoughts on the 351E I say keep it as well. Heard they are nearly industructable.

11-19-2013, 10:49 PM	#6
truckster Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,981	Re: Thoughts on the 351E I had one in my 66 GMC. Unless you plan to hotrod the truck, I'd leave it. It's as solid as an engine gets.

11-20-2013, 08:51 AM	#7
bigmac73 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Chesapeake, Va Posts: 1,275	Re: Thoughts on the 351E i would throw it in a corner , cool factor dose not add up to practicalty in my book, just a piece of pig iron, I dont know why they ever put them in a truck, it would have been suited better for a tractor __________________ Mike 72 C-10 Cheyenne off frame resto and Upgraded to 4 wheel disk, Tilt, Dakota Digital Dash / Rear slider. 421 SBC / TH350 3000RPM Stall Progression Ignition /Holley 750 DP/3:73 gear Eaton Limited Slip unit / 2 1/2 exhaust glasspacks

11-20-2013, 05:36 PM	#8
Pepin Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Sylmar Posts: 45	Re: Thoughts on the 351E Well thanks for the responses guy...i guess I will keep it in for now and see how it goes...reason i am asking is because my financial situation is not great right now and my daily driver hit the bucket...so my other choices for now are this truck or my 64 impala...this truck was the more practical choice... So far i have added power steering, Holley 500 CFM bbl carb, rebuit the tranny and rebuit the heads...oh and i just got new tires for it...I will try to post more pics later but since we have been working on it she is not really clean right now Imma have to clean her up a bit first

11-20-2013, 06:00 PM	#9
duallyjams Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Deale Md Posts: 4,663	Re: Thoughts on the 351E Have you upgraded the exhaust also to complement the carb & heads.With the upgrades it should be running good. __________________ James 63 GMC V6 4speed carryall 65 chevy swb bbw V8 auto 68 K20 327/4 speed, buddy buckets 2002 GMC CC Dually Duramax 64 GMC lwb 3/4 V6 4speed SOLD 66 GMC swb bbw buddy buckets SOLD IG duallyjams The only thing that stays the same is constant change!

11-20-2013, 09:02 PM	#13
factorystock Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: west coast Posts: 3,396	Re: Thoughts on the 351E The V6 GMC was all about maximum durability as well as maximum torque at low rpm. It was designed during a time when most trucks were not purchased to perform like passenger cars, they were purchased to do grueling hard work. Thicker parts, more oil flow, more water flow than any other gas engine pickup. I would have liked to have seen the 351 available as an option in pickups in 1960, but GMC waited for 1966 to install them in pickups. GMC also waited till 1968 to make the 3.54 ratio available on 3/4 tons, I would have liked to see this ratio available with the very first 351 3/4 tons. The high torque of this engine can easily handle this ratio at comfortable cruising speeds. The problem is times changed, the market changed, and more car like performance became the order of the day. Fast forward 2013, engine has been out of production for close to 40 years and finding parts is becoming a problem.

11-21-2013, 04:53 AM	#14
Bob B. Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,369	Re: Thoughts on the 351E Really a great engine, they are very reliable and have lots of low end torque. The negatives are they are hard to find parts for now (pistons are particularly hard to find, intake and exhaust valves, Fel-Pro has discontinued full gasket sets). The 351E and larger GMC V-6's used a large Stromberg carburetor that has a unique bolt pattern. The Holley 500 c.f.m. 2bbl. really wakes the 351E up, but you have to fabricate an adapter for it (sounds like you figured that out). Many of the rest of the parts are the same as the more common 305 V-6. You can find parts on Ebay, but don't be in too much of a hurry. I run 50 series Flowmasters, 2.5" duals with a crossover. It's a little loud but has a nice sound to it. This is the source for GM V-6 information: http://6066gmcclub.com/gmcguy/ __________________ 1967 GMC CM-2500 Camper Cruiser, 351E V-6, NP 435 4 speed, Dana 60, and factory A/C. 2012 GMC K-3500 WT regular cab, 6.0L Vortec, 6L90.



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