jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly

[Oldtruckfanatic]

Haha! Definitely would be my first choice too.

[Xeen]

Couldn't you just replace the worn and damaged parts in the head and put it back together and run it like it is, it would be fairly cheap to repair it if the damage is limited to just the parts you found so far.

[jimbosprint]

I cleaned out the bed toolbox this morning. It's fairly mangled from the body damage, and it hadn't been opened in many years as far as I could tell. Found an unopened can of oil that was pretty much empty, and the oil was now a big puddle of black gook that was leaking out of the toolbox. There was also a tire iron and a box wrench in there.

[no1udknow]

on this page, the guy installs pushrod guides along with the threaded studs, a good way to avoid this happening again.

http://www.classictrucks.com/tech/13.../photo_15.html

[jimbosprint]

I decided to go ahead and pull the motor and transmission. I just don't think it's worth trying to fix the head or dig any deeper when I don't know the true condition of the motor. That, and that fact that I know it burns and leaks oil (this is easily the greasiest engine I have ever worked on).

I'm thinking about going with the GM 260hp crate engine, and put it back mostly stock except a Performer EPS manifold, Performer 600cfm carb, and HEI distributor.

Got it just about ready to remove - only exhaust, driveshaft, and motor mounts holding it in.

[no1udknow]

Jimbo, do you already have a carb? I have an extra edlebrock performer 600 im looking to sell (I hope it's not taboo to post that here, if so sorry admins)

[Xeen]

Just a thought here.
A lot of guys go with the 290 HP Deluxe and enjoy the hell out of it.
It is a very popular GM crate motor.
Here is a link so you can check it out.
http://www.chevrolet.com/performance...50-290-hp.html

[jimbosprint]

Originally Posted by Xeen

Just a thought here.
A lot of guys go with the 290 HP Deluxe and enjoy the hell out of it.
It is a very popular GM crate motor.
Here is a link so you can check it out.
http://www.chevrolet.com/performance...50-290-hp.html

Looks nice, but I can live without 30hp and with $550 extra in my pocket.

[jimbosprint]

I got a chance to talk to a previous owner of my truck today, the stepfather of the person I bought it from. He said his father got it used in the late 70s or early 80s and rarely used it as his health declined. And he also said that after he inherited it all he ever used it for was runs to the dump, and that it often sat for months without being started. He had no idea what the mileage was, but said it never had any major work, and only recently had a few things done to get it running for the stepson who needed something to drive a little over a year ago (carb rebuild, brake booster/master, radiator and hoses).

The current condition makes me think the stepson that owned and drove it for the last year didn't take especially good care of it, but that is why it has come to me. Still, I'm thinking I was lucky to get this truck that belonged mostly to one family and apparently wasn't used much since the 80s.

[jimbosprint]

Pulled the engine and transmission today!

[jimbosprint]

Power washed the engine to get the heaviest grease off. The motor is coming apart so I'm not too worried about the water, but I was careful and mostly got the sides and bottom. I was able to get to the engine code and casting numbers, but the VIN code is likely hiding behind the flywheel that I should have taken off before putting it on the stand. Everything matches so far.

Here's a few pics:

[jimbosprint]

Based on the photos I've posted here, what would you do? I still can't decide whether to rebuild or replace. (does anyone read my thread? )

With the problem in the one head, I figure it is going to be considerably more expensive to rebuild vs a crate engine. Local shop quotes for a basic rebuild are $1450-1900, while a crate 260HP is on my door for $1510.

I don't want a race car, and the truck is never going to be in a museum. I just want reliability along with a good balance of performance/efficiency. Should I care about "original engine"?

[Xeen]

Crate motor sounds like a good deal to me.

[jimbosprint]

Thanks Xeen.

I guess you have to build a race car, lowrider, or monster truck to get anyone on here to read your thread. I'm not interested in those things. I was just hoping to get advice from people who are experienced with '67-'72 Chevy trucks. /rant

[Pick]

Unless you can do most (almost all) of the work yourself and your block and heads don't require much in the way of machine work, you will come out cheaper going with the crate engine. Going by what I see so far, I'd opt for the crate engine.

[no1udknow]

Originally Posted by jimbosprint

Thanks Xeen.

I guess you have to build a race car, lowrider, or monster truck to get anyone on here to read your thread. I'm not interested in those things. I was just hoping to get advice from people who are experienced with '67-'72 Chevy trucks. /rant

Im subscribed

[mcbassin]

Hard to beat a well built crate engine. If you're cheap ass like me, it's hard to beat craig's list too. I have gotten several smoking deals on motor/tranny combos. I search out wrecked trucks. Sometimes you can actually part out and scrap out the donor and make a few bucks. Plus if you can hear it run first that's great, or like my last one, I drove it up on to the trailer.

[Xeen]

Jimbo my build isn't super popular either but as time has gone on I have gotten more viewers and you will too.

[knomadd]

I just found your thread. I too would go with the crate engine. It always seems to be cheaper in the long run, especially if you have a lot of machining to do on the block and heads. You might look into it, but you may even get a warranty with a crate motor. I've had 30 and 90 day warranties from engine builds, but I believe I've seen (been too long) 1 year warranties or possibly longer on crate engines. Those might be fore complete turn key systems though.

[jimbosprint]

I just ordered the crate. Noticed is was on sale on Ebay. Too good a deal to pass up.

[Xeen]

Originally Posted by jimbosprint

I just ordered the crate. Noticed it was on sale on Ebay. Too good a deal to pass up.

Nice!

[flashed]

You wont be disappointed with the crate motor ,I have 2 of them and they are great .I put a 290 HP crate motor in my wife's 72 Malibu convertible and a 260 HP one in my 72 truck ,the 260 HP one would have been just fine in the Malibu too but it sure is fun.

[jimbosprint]

Just ordered some more parts for the new engine, including an Edelbrock Performer EPS intake, Edelbrock Performer 600cfm carb, and Summit HEI distributor.

I also got a Harbor Freight parts washer and have spent the last few days cleaning up parts. The bolts, brackets, and other parts that will be re-used all need to be de-greased and prepped for painting. It's a chore, but it will be worth it.

[jimbosprint]

Summit parts order arrived!

Edelbrock 1406 Performer carburetor
Edelbrock black air cleaner (FREE with carb)
Summit black air cleaner (that doesn't say Edelbrock on top in huge letters)
Summit HEI distributor
Summit harmonic balancer
Delco spark plugs
Fuel line from fuel pump (have to modify for the Edelbrock carb)

[BB72CHEVKT]

I think you made a wise decision on the crate. They are very reliable.