Trying to decide which engine

[_1966ChevyPU]

Trying to decide which engine to go with... the original 327 was rebuilt and later dropped oil pressure. That's when a 350 was dropped in; it was mild as I was still young and my Dad still had pretty much every say about what went on with it. But after it sat for alomst 13 years... found the block has two cracks in it.

My thought for a long time had been to have the 350 in it to tool around in and get by until I dropped a built 383 in. But now I'm looking at buying a motor now... and long story short, I can't get that 383 in it right now.

But now I can get my hands on a rebuilt 402 (everything except pistons). I don't know all the specs of it... but I've heard from a few guys that the guy that did it is a real good wrench. But I've also heard that the 402 isn't really worth it as there's better suited BBCs out there. But, it's $2,500 which from what I've seen around here... it's a pretty good deal.

Plus, with the stage that the truck is in... it's the perfect time for squeezing it in now instead of down the road.

So, what are the thoughts out there? Good deal for the price (depending on the specs)? Good starting place for something beefy down the road?

[C20-67_N_MO]

For the money you are talking about my money will always be in a SBC.

I could shop Craigs list and find one helluva deal for the $2,500 you are talking about.

Just saying.

[_1966ChevyPU]

The only thing I've found so far on CL is either something that needs a lot of work or was "running when pulled". Either way is gonna eat at the savings and take up more time which mine got cut back quite a bit for this project.

But I'm still looking around

[Captainfab]

Personally I would pass on the 402. I don't dislike them, it's just for $2500.00 you could put that into a 454 and have more torque and hp. For that matter, put $2500 into a 350 or a 383, and have a fairly nice engine. Additionally for $2500 you could get a low mile 5.3 and a 4L60E, but I'm afraid the additional costs with a conversion like that would be way above your budget.

[_1966ChevyPU]

Yea, that seems to be along the lines of what I've seen with the 402 with just looking around.

Wish the damn 350 block wasn't cracked...

[Pyrotechnic]

If you can get the 4.8/5.3/6.0 complete with accessories cheap enough, the carb intake, motor mount adapters, flexplate and spacer for old school trans, and MSD ignition controller could possibly come in within your budget.

As much as I love the old school small block, the fact is it is a new era and the LS motor is plentiful and cheap. You just cant rebuild a 350 for what a low mile LS motor costs at a junkyard.

[_1966ChevyPU]

Well, today I went through several thought changes

1) Mild 402 for $2,500
2) New built 454 for $15,000
3) New built 454 that needs to be sold for $10,000
4) Used mild 454 for $5,000
5) Slightly used mild 383 w/ T400 for $3,000

I'm leaning towards #5... not only is along the lines of what I've pictured doing, but it's a good deal for a well built motor and I can use items off current motor for anything needed.

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by _1966ChevyPU

Well, today I went through several thought changes

1) Mild 402 for $2,500
2) New built 454 for $15,000
3) New built 454 that needs to be sold for $10,000
4) Used mild 454 for $5,000
5) Slightly used mild 383 w/ T400 for $3,000

I'm leaning towards #5... not only is along the lines of what I've pictured doing, but it's a good deal for a well built motor and I can use items off current motor for anything needed.

Did you find a motor?
Ran across your thread by accident...
Where on earth did you get the prices for 2 and 3??? Those prices are so far out of line unless it is a twin turbo, supercharged...
A 350 sbc long block from a local machine shop here is $750 out the door using quality parts.....

[_1966ChevyPU]

Yes, I ended up with option #5... I'm happy with it.

As for the prices... that's just how much everything up here costs when you go to high performance race engine builders.

[66-PMD-GMC]

I put a 454, +.030, arp fasteners, forged internals... all the good stuff. 497 HP... long block.. cost the guy I was doing it for $3300 when he was done and running for the motor.
You boys are getting hosed up there..
Nice motor BTW

[cableguy0]

Thats a nice stock-ish looking engine but used at 3k even with the trans is really rough. Its crazy the price differences across the country. I would expect a dyno sheet with numbers starting with 4 on both sides of the sheet for 3k. I like the look though and as long your happy thats all that matters.