engine year for truck

[mygmctruck]

I am wanting to install a crate 350 or 400 motor , nothing fancy but how new can I go with a crate motor. I want to stick with a carb engine.
it will be in a 4x4 68 short box gmc .
Am I wrong to assume all 60-80's 350 - 400 engines will work ?

[hugger6933]

Most all crate engines are based on the basic Chevy350 engine that went virtuely unchanged from the 68-9 model year to the 79-80 model year with only slight changes. The Goodwrench engines are new not rebuilt engines based on this motor it is built in mexico and has more nickel in the block that makes it strongerfor some reason. The stock GM crates put out 280-290 hp I think and you can get a little bit newer one like the one that goes into a Vortec [gen 1] truck from 96 -98] and it is still the old type 350 with some modern updates. The heads are light years ahead of whatever you could get before on a chevy motor and it shows , you can bolt on Vortec heads to a small block and gain right at 40 HP it has been proven time and time again. It is not some bench racing bs, it is a dyno proven fact. Now with the newer type motor you can still use the 350 mounts to bolt it up to your truck but the intake manifold bolt pattern is different and you will need a Vortec patterned intake. Other than the intake, valve covers [comes with the crate motor] and a 86 -98 flywheel [it has a smaller bolt pattern] it is the same old 350 apperence and bolt-in wise. Oh, also the Vortec motor has hyperutectic pistons and a hyd roller camshaft to help reduce internal drag and heat,and friction so it will free up some extra free power. The vortec in that old truck will be quite peppy[ as my dad would say] even in stock form [with aftermarket intake and carb] and get improved milage to boot. Just my 3cents[I went in an extra penny] Jim

[oldblue1968chevy]

jegs/summit have the basic 350 goodwrenches on sale like 1499 i think i saw free shipping?