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#26 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Studio City, Calif.
Posts: 2,873
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Re: Engine Blew, recommendations?
Quote:
The guy I am going to use for the R+R is charging $550 which will include all gaskets Etc. I'll probably provide some new motor mounts (engine mounts?)jk, and a new fuel pump. Water pump is relatively new. I guess a new clutch disk at least, maybe a throw-out bearing. It's pretty new also. I looked at used trucks around here and I'm not going to spend 12K on a used-up truck and the one I have is fine and in many ways better than the newer ones. -BA
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'69 GMC C2500 Custom Camper, 8 1/2' bed, New GM 350, NP 435 Close Ratio 4spd. Trans., 3.73 Dana-60 open.Camper and Trailer wiring, PS, PB, AC, tach , three gas tanks, stereo speakers, 2nd owner, Work-Truck supreme. |
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#27 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Studio City, Calif.
Posts: 2,873
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Re: Engine Blew, recommendations?
Quote:
My last truck, a '69 GMC 1500, had a 350 with an RV cam and it was a blast to drive (up to about 4,000 RPM). It would break a tire loose in second gear (465 manual trans) at ~15 MPH if you dropped the hammer and it had 33" tires and 3.07 gears. Of course it weighed 900 Lbs. less than my Longhorn. Thanks -BA
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'69 GMC C2500 Custom Camper, 8 1/2' bed, New GM 350, NP 435 Close Ratio 4spd. Trans., 3.73 Dana-60 open.Camper and Trailer wiring, PS, PB, AC, tach , three gas tanks, stereo speakers, 2nd owner, Work-Truck supreme. |
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#28 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Neodesha ks
Posts: 4
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Re: Engine Blew, recommendations?
Did Radley give the crate engine a warranty and do u know if the warranty is good whether a DIY'er installs?
Thanks, Jason Last edited by 5.3rambler; 10-27-2019 at 10:16 PM. |
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#29 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Kissimmee,Florida
Posts: 17
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Re: Engine Blew, recommendations?
Ok my vote is for an l31 create engine.It is 2k or less.It has vortec heads and has great torque.Original truck engine.puts out between 300-350 hp with free flowing exhaust and carburetor.only things you will need is an intake manifold since it has vortec heads.you can buy one from summit etc ,a electric fuel pump.It comes without the mechanical pump provision.And a different flywheel.
This engine will give you better fuel mileage,Torque,HP and has a roller cam.In my opinion it is one of the best values out there. Posted via Mobile Device |
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#30 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Studio City, Calif.
Posts: 2,873
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Re: Engine Blew, recommendations?
Haven't checked about the warranty yet, still working on an R+R location.
Warship, that is very tempting if it is a bolt-in with all accessories bolting up without issues (power steering,alternator, water pump,AC comp in future). I'd have to research the fuel pump issue. Sounds like it would eat up some time to figure out and get set-up correctly. Time is my enemy at this point since I am renting and borrowing trucks. Thanks for the idea. I'll kick it around and see. I did like the idea of a new engine though. The L31 I looked at (Jegs) was "rebuilt".
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'69 GMC C2500 Custom Camper, 8 1/2' bed, New GM 350, NP 435 Close Ratio 4spd. Trans., 3.73 Dana-60 open.Camper and Trailer wiring, PS, PB, AC, tach , three gas tanks, stereo speakers, 2nd owner, Work-Truck supreme. |
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#31 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Studio City, Calif.
Posts: 2,873
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Re: Engine Blew, recommendations?
Update; After almost 4 weeks in the shop with me coming in a couple or three days to do some of the work my GM performance 195 HP Chevy 350 from Jegs was apparently ready to fire up. I gave the guy the printed instructions on how to break it in and told him to call me before he started it up. Well he didn't call and when I went in yesterday to check on progress it had been run. I wanted to check it out and started it up and it sounded like crap, missing badly and running very rough. So I held it at ~2000-2500 (by ear, the tach is not hooked up) for 10 minutes or so but it was not pretty.
So the guy tells me to replace the plug wires and I got a set and put them on even though the old set worked perfectly on the old engine, no change. I got it home and checked for vacuum leaks (none found), changed a few wires, no improvement. Funny thing with this crate motor is that the valve covers must be glued on. It you remove all of the bolts and try to pry a cover off, the cheap and thin metal just starts to fold up and distort the cover. I am thinking that the cam is toast. If so, and I will HAVE to mangle a cover to get in and see the lift at the rockers, then I will need to find another mechanic or roll the dice again with this guy ($550) and take it out, send it from here (california) to Ohio, get a anew one and start over. WOW not the result I expected!!! And my business is in the toilet as a result of not having my truck. Tomorrow I might take it on a few jobs that have to be done, 75 miles total even with the missing and roughness. Crap!
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'69 GMC C2500 Custom Camper, 8 1/2' bed, New GM 350, NP 435 Close Ratio 4spd. Trans., 3.73 Dana-60 open.Camper and Trailer wiring, PS, PB, AC, tach , three gas tanks, stereo speakers, 2nd owner, Work-Truck supreme. |
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#32 |
Account Suspended
![]() Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 6,873
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Re: Engine Blew, recommendations?
Im sure the cam is fine, the break in instructions are to be really safe and ideal, too many people worry about wiping a cam out.
Start with the common stuff and the basics. Timing, and i dont mean degrees of advance at idle, right cylinder at the right time, its probably wired wrong. Pull number one plug, hold finger in plug hole while someone turns motor over by hand, as pressure builds line up the timing marks.....pull cap and see that its timed to number one plug wire. |
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#33 |
Account Suspended
![]() Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 6,873
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Re: Engine Blew, recommendations?
I use a spark plug air hold adapter, a 4’ piece of hose and bring he hose in the cab, bump starter till i feel pressure, go out and rotate crank to line up the timing marks, makes it a one man job.
All other methods of finding TDC on number one suck unless you choose to watch the intake valve close with the valve cover off. The fitting https://www.amazon.com/Performance-T.../dp/B0002KO3XI The hose https://www.amazon.com/Flexzilla-Swi...omotive&sr=1-1 Or similar on both |
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#34 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: El Dorado Ca
Posts: 3,374
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Re: Engine Blew, recommendations?
Quote:
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#35 |
Account Suspended
![]() Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 6,873
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Re: Engine Blew, recommendations?
If the cam is damaged, it should still run well, just a little less lift, hasn't been run long enough to wear a lot off the lobe.
If much is worn off the lobe you would have ticking lifter noise. |
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#36 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Godley, TX
Posts: 17,963
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Re: Engine Blew, recommendations?
Quote:
WorkinLonghorn - I'm with Randy, your problem sounds like wiring to me. I'd start there. Hopefully not the cam, but try the easy stuff first at least. Good luck, very frustrating! |
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#37 |
Account Suspended
![]() Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 6,873
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Re: Engine Blew, recommendations?
I almost bought this L31 vortec from Radley, got it from summit, ordered monday arrived today...just blew the warranty today too, doing a little blueprinting.
Anyway pic shows my spark plug air hose, wrong head but you get the idea, it does make it into the cab from the number 1 plug, i use it all the time on engine installs to find #1 on a compression stroke. |
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#38 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Studio City, Calif.
Posts: 2,873
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Re: Engine Blew, recommendations?
Thanks guys for the encouragement. Maybe not the cam, but it beats me what it is and yes, we located TDC twice and wired it up correctly with new wires and plugs. Going down the road giving it a little gas, it does feel strong. Strong like 7 cylinders strong and it revs up quickly in Neutral, just a couple cylinders are not cooperating and the idle is crappy. I'm starting to think that this guy left something in the intake or something. His shop was a real mess. I saw the lifter valley before the intake was installed and he had little pieces of dirt in there and I suggested that he vacuum or blow this out and he just grumbled a little. I said "I'd hate to see that get into the lifters". Anyway I am feeling better after reading these posts. I will try a new cap on the distrib, then maybe check compression, vacuum ( I don't see a place to "T" off of). But it is going to work tomorrow even if with only 6 cylinders.
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'69 GMC C2500 Custom Camper, 8 1/2' bed, New GM 350, NP 435 Close Ratio 4spd. Trans., 3.73 Dana-60 open.Camper and Trailer wiring, PS, PB, AC, tach , three gas tanks, stereo speakers, 2nd owner, Work-Truck supreme. |
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#39 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Studio City, Calif.
Posts: 2,873
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Re: Engine Blew, recommendations?
One weird thing though is that the truck had almost 1/2 tank of gas when it went into the shop and when I wanted to start it up I couldn't because it was empty! I asked where it went and he said it leaked out while he had the fuel pump disconnected. He also used gasoline in a tub to use as cleaner and he showed me that, so I really don't know how long they had it running for.
__________________
'69 GMC C2500 Custom Camper, 8 1/2' bed, New GM 350, NP 435 Close Ratio 4spd. Trans., 3.73 Dana-60 open.Camper and Trailer wiring, PS, PB, AC, tach , three gas tanks, stereo speakers, 2nd owner, Work-Truck supreme. |
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#40 |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Harrison, Arkansas
Posts: 9,815
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Re: Engine Blew, recommendations?
This is a stretch, and you said you checked for vacuum leaks, but I am playing on your mechanics trashy shop.
Years ago I knew a guy that had similar symptoms, and it turned out to be some trash stuck to the carburetor base gasket. I'm with the other guys here, I bet it's something relatively simple, not the cam.
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other Larry Build thread, Arkansas K10 https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...=755797&page=5 The ability to speak several languages is an asset, but the ability to keep your mouth shut in any language is priceless. |
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#41 |
Moderator
![]() Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Cherryville, NC
Posts: 2,193
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Re: Engine Blew, recommendations?
Pull the spark plugs and make sure the gaps have not closed up due to it not being checked before install or dropped on floor and not rechecked....
Make sure the firing order is correct...so many times I have found firing order crossed up...1,8,4,3,6,5,7,2.... Remove the carb and make sure NEW gaskets are in place between carb and manifold....then double check manifold gaskets to the head surfaces are NEW ! Replace the fuel filter with a NEW one... Did the shop install a pilot bearing in the end of the crankshaft? Did they clean out the radiator? Did they install a thermostat? Did they install new heater hoses with new clamps? Did they install new water pump? The install fee was cheap for a reason... I wont look at an Engine R&R on any vehicle for less than $1000 plus materials.... Good luck.... ![]() ![]() ![]()
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#42 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Studio City, Calif.
Posts: 2,873
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Re: Engine Blew, recommendations?
Thanks Larry, It's possible that this guy broke a plug or left something in the carb or manifold. I'll have to just start checking everything until I find it. I took it around to a bunch of jobs today about 70 miles total. Just seems to be missing one cylinder and rough at times, but I was able to use the truck at least! -BA
__________________
'69 GMC C2500 Custom Camper, 8 1/2' bed, New GM 350, NP 435 Close Ratio 4spd. Trans., 3.73 Dana-60 open.Camper and Trailer wiring, PS, PB, AC, tach , three gas tanks, stereo speakers, 2nd owner, Work-Truck supreme. |
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#43 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Studio City, Calif.
Posts: 2,873
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Re: Engine Blew, recommendations?
AssieinNC I tried to answer all of your questions but the site won't let me post for some reason. Here, I will try to paste it here;
Quote:
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'69 GMC C2500 Custom Camper, 8 1/2' bed, New GM 350, NP 435 Close Ratio 4spd. Trans., 3.73 Dana-60 open.Camper and Trailer wiring, PS, PB, AC, tach , three gas tanks, stereo speakers, 2nd owner, Work-Truck supreme. |
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#44 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Cheraw
Posts: 1,305
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Re: Engine Blew, recommendations?
Did he reinstall your old distributor or did you get a new one? A lot of new HEI's that are cheep are not worth useing.
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#45 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Studio City, Calif.
Posts: 2,873
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Re: Engine Blew, recommendations?
Big Bird, I agree with you. He reinstalled the cheapo Skip White distrib that was working perfectly, except that I changed out the rotor to a new one I had in the truck for a spare (whole distrib behind the seat actually) Oh, the vacuum advance diaphragm was shot so I changed the canister with a new one from the spare distrib. I'm starting to think that maybe that rotor was somehow slightly different, so maybe I should hunt for the old one.
__________________
'69 GMC C2500 Custom Camper, 8 1/2' bed, New GM 350, NP 435 Close Ratio 4spd. Trans., 3.73 Dana-60 open.Camper and Trailer wiring, PS, PB, AC, tach , three gas tanks, stereo speakers, 2nd owner, Work-Truck supreme. |
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#46 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: virginia
Posts: 100
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Re: Engine Blew, recommendations?
I think I would drive a few hundred miles, then pull the plugs to see how they look.
This is assuming the timing and dwell are set correctly. Improper fuel mixture from the carb will also give you a miss especially at idle. The carb may have been thrown around and may have some debris in it affecting the mixture. Intake may have a vacuum leak from not sealing correctly. JMHO, Good Luck |
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#47 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Studio City, Calif.
Posts: 2,873
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Re: Engine Blew, recommendations?
Thanks buds56,
I put a new cap on the distrib and no change.It is really sounding like an electrical problem so I might swap in a new distributor that i have as a spare. Maybe replace the plugs too. But yeah, could be a vac leak at the manifold into the valley.
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'69 GMC C2500 Custom Camper, 8 1/2' bed, New GM 350, NP 435 Close Ratio 4spd. Trans., 3.73 Dana-60 open.Camper and Trailer wiring, PS, PB, AC, tach , three gas tanks, stereo speakers, 2nd owner, Work-Truck supreme. |
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#48 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Studio City, Calif.
Posts: 2,873
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Re: Engine Blew, recommendations?
UPDATE;
I should have posted this along time ago but I was reading the reviews for this GM Performance Crate 350 (195 HP) and one guy was complaining that the valve lifters were out of adjustment so I checked and I found all were set at 0+ 1/2 turn EXCEPT 2 were set to about 0+ 1 1/2 turns. I set them all to + 3/4 (my book says 0+1) And now It runs good, all 8 firing nicely. I checked compression and all are above 160 on my ancient and cheap gauge. Oil pressure is about 40 @ 2500+ and at idle,(hot) it is an impressive 25 or so going by the stock gauge assuming that straight up is 30. This is with 10-40 oil. Power is pretty much what I expected, about the same as the "rebuilt" one that I had in there. Nothing exceptional with this 5300 Lb. truck with tools but it is more than "adequate" for a strictly work only truck. Not sure why it likes 16° BTDC but it does and so did the last 350 I had using the same distributor and it's limited timing advance. -BA
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'69 GMC C2500 Custom Camper, 8 1/2' bed, New GM 350, NP 435 Close Ratio 4spd. Trans., 3.73 Dana-60 open.Camper and Trailer wiring, PS, PB, AC, tach , three gas tanks, stereo speakers, 2nd owner, Work-Truck supreme. |
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#49 |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Harrison, Arkansas
Posts: 9,815
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Re: Engine Blew, recommendations?
Who wouda' thunk it?
You just assume a new crate motor is going to be dialed in. It goes to show you can't take anything for granted.
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other Larry Build thread, Arkansas K10 https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...=755797&page=5 The ability to speak several languages is an asset, but the ability to keep your mouth shut in any language is priceless. |
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350 engine, crate motor, replacement motor |
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