Crate GoodWrench 350 Questions

[SnowNeck]

Hey guys, I found a few old threads on this motor but I wanted to make a new one. I'm seriously looking into getting the 350 Good wrench crate motor and had a few questions. First the application I'd be putting it in. A lifted (just a 4 inch lift) 1985 GMC high sierra 4x4, currently 305/700r4/208np 3.08s gears and running 33/12.5/15 inch tires. my 305 has finally seen its day with 300k on it. Parts that I'd be swapping- Edlebrock 650cfm, headers, high rise intake manifold, High output MSD distributor, 9mm wires.

1. Has anyone ran the Good wrench as a daily driver?
2. Do you like the motor?
3. Problems?
4. where do you suggest to Purchase it?
5.mpg (around of course)
6. For a shop to install, what did it cost you guys?
Thanks, Jake

[Captainfab]

Which crate engine are you looking at? There are a few different ones....260, 290, 330 HP etc.

I know it isn't part of your question, but 33" tires with 3.08 gears is not a good combo. Those gears are too high.

[SnowNeck]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Which crate engine are you looking at? There are a few different ones....260, 290, 330 HP etc.

I know it isn't part of your question, but 33" tires with 3.08 gears is not a good combo. Those gears are too high.

I believe it's the 260, i was looking at the one on jegs and summit raceing, and haha oh I know the gearing isn't prime, but with the 350 it'll be slightly better.

[kody]

bought mine from jegs at there ebay store for 1299 two weeks ago.they were on sale.

[SnowNeck]

Originally Posted by kody

bought mine from jegs at there ebay store for 1299 two weeks ago.they were on sale.

****kk hahah wish I had seen that, owell.

[Hugh Mongus]

I recently installed a 260hp Jegs crate in my '71 SWB. For the money I'd say it's a great engine. It starts reliably, runs good, gets decent MPG (14ish), and has been trouble free. However, I think it needs a little more get up and go. From stop to roll it seems to have a decent amount of torque but once you get higher in the RPM range it doesn't breath well and takes what seems to be forever to wind up. All in all I'd say for a daily driver it's great, but don't expect it to be a screamer. Be sure to download the break-in instructions and follow them. You wont get any instructions from Jegs.

[SnowNeck]

Originally Posted by Hugh Mongus

I recently installed a 260hp Jegs crate in my '71 SWB. For the money I'd say it's a great engine. It starts reliably, runs good, gets decent MPG (14ish), and has been trouble free. However, I think it needs a little more get up and go. From stop to roll it seems to have a decent amount of torque but once you get higher in the RPM range it doesn't breath well and takes what seems to be forever to wind up. All in all I'd say for a daily driver it's great, but don't expect it to be a screamer. Be sure to download the break-in instructions and follow them. You wont get any instructions from Jegs.

Thanks for the response, that's basically what I'm looking for, comes my from a quite tired 305, getting 8-10 mpg, that crate sounds like a great deal to me. Hah, maybe I'll bore it out down the road. But I drive a round trip of around 50 miles a day, that 350 would make a world of difference.

[CC69Rat]

I had one of the 290 HP version in a 69 Camaro. It had a nice lumpy sound to it and seemed to run pretty good. It wasn't something I would have taken to the drag strip but.. you know what I mean I guess.

Mine was about 10 yrs ago. The engines are everything they are advertised to be but just be warned the warranty they offer is only good if the engine is installed by an ACE certified mechanic. The average guy in his garage (?) Not so much.

Also after about 500 miles mine began to smoke on idle. Just a constant hint of oil smoke that got progressively worse. As it turns out there was a batch that got the wrong oil seals in them. They used 4.3 v6 seals in it that quickly gave up. As soon as we replaced the seals it was fine but just saying the QC at least used to be less than desirable. They may have improved now and not saying every one will have problems.. just letting you know what they told me when I inquired about the warranty.

I have heard you can take that 290 HP short block and a good set of 041s and make 400hp, no problem. The heads are 882s if I'm not mistaken. 76cc.

[Captainfab]

A bigger engine won't change the fact that those gears are too high for use with 33" tires. Granted the 350 will have more torque but the engine still won't be able to run in it's optimum rpm range. The lower the rpm's doesn't mean better mpg's. Your mpg likely won't be much if any better than the 8-10 you are getting now.

Originally Posted by SnowNeck

I believe it's the 260, i was looking at the one on jegs and summit raceing, and haha oh I know the gearing isn't prime, but with the 350 it'll be slightly better.

[68post]

The lowest HP crate engine I'd want is the vortec version. Like this one :
http://paceperformance.com/i-6255511...te-engine.html

[BigEd36]

The Goodwrench 350/260hp is on sale right now on Jegs Ebay site for $1349.99 with FREE shipping!

[True 67]

i was able to get mine from Jeggs for $1199 w/free shipping..if you just be a little patient the price will come down. I waited a couple of months for it to come back down.

True

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

A bigger engine won't change the fact that those gears are too high for use with 33" tires. Granted the 350 will have more torque but the engine still won't be able to run in it's optimum rpm range. The lower the rpm's doesn't mean better mpg's. Your mpg likely won't be much if any better than the 8-10 you are getting now.

What would be the best tire height for an unknown hp 350 goodwrench with a th350 and a 3:08 rear-end?
Same question for a somewhat built 283?
I very rarely go above 45 mph. No freeway driving.
And then, which would better serve my driving conditions - the somewhat built 283, or a stock goodwrench 350?

[Warrens69GMC]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

What would be the best tire height for an unknown hp 350 goodwrench with a th350 and a 3:08 rear-end?
Same question for a somewhat built 283?
I very rarely go above 45 mph. No freeway driving.
And then, which would better serve my driving conditions - the somewhat built 283, or a stock goodwrench 350?

27-28"

225/75r15 or 235/75r15

[Captainfab]

I agree with a 27-28" tall tire for the 350.

It's hard to say for sure about your 283 not knowing just how it is built. But since 283's aren't known for their low end torque a slightly lower gear such as a 3.42 or even 3.73's might be a better choice for the 283 to get it into it's power band.

Originally Posted by LostMy65

What would be the best tire height for an unknown hp 350 goodwrench with a th350 and a 3:08 rear-end?
Same question for a somewhat built 283?
I very rarely go above 45 mph. No freeway driving.
And then, which would better serve my driving conditions - the somewhat built 283, or a stock goodwrench 350?

Originally Posted by Warrens69GMC

27-28"

225/75r15 or 235/75r15

[LostMy65]

Is there a way to know what horsepower version my GM Goodwrench 350 is?

[geezer#99]

Likely the super 195 hp one.

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

Likely the super 195 hp one.

Why you be mean? 🤔

[geezer#99]

Base motor was rated like that.
8 to 1 compression.
Poor flowing heads.
Low lift and duration cam.
Makes a good foundation for more hp.
Some good aluminum 64 cc heads, better cam, headers, dual plane intake, Holley carb and you’ll be pushing 350 hp.

[LostMy65]

So what was Gm's goal for using a 'bad' cam and 'bad' heads?

[geezer#99]

It was just a stock replacement motor.
The heads and cam were good for that intended purpose.
Designed for those that wanted the cheapest motor to replace the stocker that crapped out.
Likely as far as gm was concerned there was nothing wrong with the heads or cam. After all they likely sold a million stock motors.

[Warrens69GMC]

Just remember the 195hp rating is NET, not GROSS. The actual numbers are around 240 hp and 330ft lb/s.

http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/463...-engine-build/

[SunSoaked]

Talk about a thread from the dead! I recently swapped the heads, cam, intake, carb and exhaust manifolds on my 260 hp crate engine from Summit. In my 85 k20, it was less than impressive. Now it can at least get out of its own way! I've had the "like new" crate heads on CL for months ($125) and can't give them away. I can't imagine trying to move a 5500# hunk of steel with 308 gears.

[LostMy65]

I don't understand the advantage of starting a new thread every time a question comes up.
I'm a search before posting guy. It is frustrating having to read multiple threads on the same topic. Nobody has a problem with posting a pic of their stepside in a long old stepside pictures thread. That way it's all in one place. Why do people so often make an issue of posting in an old thread? Why do people want multiple threads on the same topic?
I know this is a derail of this thread, but I just can't get my head around why people want people to just keep starting new threads.

[Warrens69GMC]

Originally Posted by SunSoaked

I can't imagine trying to move a 5500# hunk of steel with 308 gears.

1978 Big 10, 165hp 350, TH350, 3.08 and 28" tires. Doesn't do too bad, except loaded and going uphill.