Crate motor

[Mv7fd]

I'm looking at crate motors to replace the worn out engine in my 79 I just want a stock motor no big crazy power something to cruise around in. I'm wondering if it's better to go with turn key or a long block. And buy putting a new motor in is there any chance of better mpg

[rich weyand]

The base 350/260hp is fine, reliable, and cheap, and delivers nice torque, which is what's most important for street driving. Usually a bit over $1500 and free shipping from JEGS or Summit.

You can pop a different cam in it to get more, but that's extra money and effort. You can also go sky's the limit on engines in these trucks.

If the carb is rebuilt and tuned properly, and you are running the 350/260hp with a TH350 automatic trans and 3.5:1 equivalent or so when considering the axle ratio and tires (say, 3.73:1 axle with 31" tires), you should get about 14 on the highway at 60 and maybe 12 in town with a C, 12 on the highway at 60 and maybe 10 in town with a K.

Of course, if the carb is an old Qjet that's leaking from the well plugs, or it's an Edelbrock that has never been properly tuned, you can lose 2-3 mpg real easy.

[Mv7fd]

I'm going to go with as complete motor I can get that way I start fresh no problems I'm going to go with a Holley carb

[old Rusty C10]

Ive done several of these on various trucks. The jegs regular crate motor with the holley manifold carb setup for another couple of hundred works out quite well.. it doesn't help MPG but it gives plenty of power and is easy to install. I threw on a set of cheap headers and some cheap mufflers and it sounds runs great on the el camino

[Mv7fd]

If I achieve 13 I'm totally fine with that. It's paying than paying a house payment for a new truck and these new trucks sucks for gas milage

[rich weyand]

Biggest issue is proper tuning of the carburetor, and the best way to do that is with an AF/R meter. Absent that, you're just guessing. ANY carb that is properly tuned will run better, get better mileage, and outperform ANY carb that is not properly tuned.

[Mv7fd]

True that

[KevinD85]

I did the jegs gm 260hp crate that a I got for 1120 shipped on ebay when they had a sale.
Then I did this from summit came with intake,carb,cam and timing chain and lifters
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-bbc100

it rips compared to the old tired 305

[Mv7fd]

i'm going with this motor from jegs http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Perf...rentProductId=

[rich weyand]

That will all work. I would keep the thermostatic air cleaner, though, and lose the open-element air cleaner. The Edelbrocks run great if you tune them properly and keep them at operating temperature. Too hot, not so good. Too cold, not so good. Put an insulating spacer under that carb to keep it cool, and then run the thermostatic air cleaner so it warms up when it is cold out. The open-element air cleaner will give you problems in cold weather, guaranteed. If you want to dress up the thermostatic air cleaner, you can get a chrome lid for it for like 10 bucks.