Gm 260 Hp Crate Motor - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BLUE THUNDER · 03-28-2008, 06:03 AM

Well guys it's getting pretty close to go time. I'm about to pull the trigger on a GM 260 HP crate motor. I'm tired of trying to get the 305 to fit, so I'm just gonna take the plunge. I'll probably put the 305 on craigslist or in a CJ7 that is lying around the back yard. Anyways, I have an option of building my old 350 up with 9:1 compression and close to 300 hp for about $1700, or buying the crate motor at around $1400. My question is for those who have used the crate motor. How do y'all like it? Plenty of power? Reiliable? Give me a heads up. Thanks, Mario.

Big J · 03-28-2008, 06:18 AM

I haven't done it myself but I've heard nothing but good things about gm crate motors. Especially the one your looking at. Its a great deal and a strong reliable choice.

old man jimmy · 03-28-2008, 10:05 AM

I think your build price is a little low for your old 350. I built the one in my Jimmy. Ended up costing me 3700.00 before I was done. And that's with me doing the work, except for machining. It always cost more than you figure. But to answer your question. I'm running two of the gm crate 350's. An early version in my 68 chevelle,and a late version in my 89 burb. And in my opinion, It's the only way to fly. Only trouble you can't cam it or anything internal until the warrenty runs out. But have 100,000 miles on the burb motor. And only about 5,000 on the chevelle. And both have been great and trouble free. Chevelle has edelb. int. & carb. And runs pretty strong for what it is. I think you would be happy with the crate. I'd suggest keeping your old engine if it's the original one. They only use to give 100.00 core on them.

myblazer72 · 04-09-2008, 10:03 PM

Blue Thunder,

I have a little over 20k on my now. It runs great for me, plenty of power for a daily driver. I get a little over 13mpg if ya care about that.

Long Roof · 04-10-2008, 01:04 AM

Is the 260h version the one made in Mexico? I know there is a 'replacement' crate engine made in Mexico which I would stay away from. I took one out of my Jimmy after it exploded. When I opened it up it wasn't pretty. I guess I'm a little leery of the quality control.

*Billla* · 04-10-2008, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLUE THUNDER

I have an option of building my old 350 up with 9:1 compression and close to 300 hp for about $1700, or buying the crate motor at around $1400.

My question is for those who have used the crate motor. How do y'all like it? Plenty of power? Reiliable?

I agree that you won't get a full overhaul for that price - I generally suggest that owners bring about $2500 into a 350 build with them for < 1 HP/CID.

The 260 crates are rock-solid performers and very durable if broken in correctly. The most important thing is to lube all of the seals, pre-oil the heck out of it and add a pint of GM EOS or another break-in suppliment before starting it and then doing break-in per the GM instructions.

Stepping up to the 290HP is a better buy if you have headers and an aftermarket intake, and there are other upgraded choices with more power for...more money

BLUE THUNDER · 04-10-2008, 06:06 AM

Thanks dude, the price that i'm getting that motor is a steal. I just can't pass it up. I plan to buy it Apr 19th. I'll post some pics soon. Thanks for the advice. Later, Mario.

*Billla* · 04-10-2008, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Long Roof

Is the 260h version the one made in Mexico? I know there is a 'replacement' crate engine made in Mexico which I would stay away from. I took one out of my Jimmy after it exploded. When I opened it up it wasn't pretty. I guess I'm a little leery of the quality control.

I believe all of these are made in Mexico. Some of the older "Targetmaster" crate engines were complete junk - I used to drop the pan and find machining debris - but these are pretty decent and I've had no problems with any of them.

Long Roof · 04-11-2008, 12:31 AM

I have no idea how old mine was. Is there a lesser hp replacement 350 than the 260hp? I thought I saw in a publication not long ago that all the performance crate engines are assembled in the USA and the 'replacement' engines were assembled in Mexico. I guess I'm not sure where the blocks come from. My engine was cast in Mexico. I know at one time if the block was cast in Mexico then it was definitely a replacement engine. Not sure if that is true anymore.

*Billla* · 04-11-2008, 12:45 AM

Some of the "Targetmaster" stuff was rated at 195HP

The GMPP engines, starting at the 290, are assembled in the US I believe and the "Service Replacement" are assembled in Mexico. I ain't sure of any of this as it's just the rumors I've heard.

I do know that many of the blocks, even for the GMPP stuff is cast in Mexico and other places even though it doesn't have the "Hencho n Mexico" casting mark.

drunkbus · 04-11-2008, 01:37 AM

Does anybody have any thoughts or opinions on the 290 hp model?

1966gmc · 04-11-2008, 03:44 AM

I have less than 2 grand in my engine I believe.that was with me buying all the hard parts and having the machinist do his magic with the block and heads and putting it together.Then I also have the parts that I had prior to the build (intake,carb,and valve covers)
Im damn sure for what little money is mine,it will def whoop up on a 1700 dollar crate motor.
It's all in how you want to go about doin it.

03-28-2008, 06:03 AM	#1
BLUE THUNDER Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Antonio Posts: 993	Gm 260 Hp Crate Motor Well guys it's getting pretty close to go time. I'm about to pull the trigger on a GM 260 HP crate motor. I'm tired of trying to get the 305 to fit, so I'm just gonna take the plunge. I'll probably put the 305 on craigslist or in a CJ7 that is lying around the back yard. Anyways, I have an option of building my old 350 up with 9:1 compression and close to 300 hp for about $1700, or buying the crate motor at around $1400. My question is for those who have used the crate motor. How do y'all like it? Plenty of power? Reiliable? Give me a heads up. Thanks, Mario.

03-28-2008, 06:18 AM	#2
Big J Its lookin' like a Blazer! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Gods Country, KY Posts: 1,772	Re: Gm 260 Hp Crate Motor I haven't done it myself but I've heard nothing but good things about gm crate motors. Especially the one your looking at. Its a great deal and a strong reliable choice. __________________ BAZINGA! My Build

03-28-2008, 10:05 AM	#3
old man jimmy Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: texas Posts: 329	Re: Gm 260 Hp Crate Motor I think your build price is a little low for your old 350. I built the one in my Jimmy. Ended up costing me 3700.00 before I was done. And that's with me doing the work, except for machining. It always cost more than you figure. But to answer your question. I'm running two of the gm crate 350's. An early version in my 68 chevelle,and a late version in my 89 burb. And in my opinion, It's the only way to fly. Only trouble you can't cam it or anything internal until the warrenty runs out. But have 100,000 miles on the burb motor. And only about 5,000 on the chevelle. And both have been great and trouble free. Chevelle has edelb. int. & carb. And runs pretty strong for what it is. I think you would be happy with the crate. I'd suggest keeping your old engine if it's the original one. They only use to give 100.00 core on them.

04-09-2008, 10:03 PM	#4
myblazer72 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Washington Posts: 11	Re: Gm 260 Hp Crate Motor Blue Thunder, I have a little over 20k on my now. It runs great for me, plenty of power for a daily driver. I get a little over 13mpg if ya care about that. __________________ 72 K5/350/700r/205 6"front/7" rear-15-10 Welds/35s STC Top MasterCraft front seats-Factory Back Lookin for paint

04-10-2008, 01:04 AM	#5
Long Roof Old School, New Style Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Monroeville, Ohio Posts: 790	Re: Gm 260 Hp Crate Motor Is the 260h version the one made in Mexico? I know there is a 'replacement' crate engine made in Mexico which I would stay away from. I took one out of my Jimmy after it exploded. When I opened it up it wasn't pretty. I guess I'm a little leery of the quality control. __________________ The Good: - 72 GMC Jimmy 4x4 - 307 cid / 350 th - 70 Chevy Suburban 1/2T 2wd - 454 cid /400 th - 96 Chevy Impala SS - mainly stock - 98 Chevy Tahoe LT 4x4 - all stock The Bad: - 86 Chevy Suburban 1/2T 4x4 - winter beater The Ugly: - 72 Chevy Suburban 1/2T 2wd - parts truck

04-10-2008, 06:06 AM	#7
BLUE THUNDER Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Antonio Posts: 993	Re: Gm 260 Hp Crate Motor Thanks dude, the price that i'm getting that motor is a steal. I just can't pass it up. I plan to buy it Apr 19th. I'll post some pics soon. Thanks for the advice. Later, Mario.

04-11-2008, 12:31 AM	#9
Long Roof Old School, New Style Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Monroeville, Ohio Posts: 790	Re: Gm 260 Hp Crate Motor I have no idea how old mine was. Is there a lesser hp replacement 350 than the 260hp? I thought I saw in a publication not long ago that all the performance crate engines are assembled in the USA and the 'replacement' engines were assembled in Mexico. I guess I'm not sure where the blocks come from. My engine was cast in Mexico. I know at one time if the block was cast in Mexico then it was definitely a replacement engine. Not sure if that is true anymore. __________________ The Good: - 72 GMC Jimmy 4x4 - 307 cid / 350 th - 70 Chevy Suburban 1/2T 2wd - 454 cid /400 th - 96 Chevy Impala SS - mainly stock - 98 Chevy Tahoe LT 4x4 - all stock The Bad: - 86 Chevy Suburban 1/2T 4x4 - winter beater The Ugly: - 72 Chevy Suburban 1/2T 2wd - parts truck Last edited by Long Roof; 04-11-2008 at 12:33 AM.

04-11-2008, 12:45 AM	#10
Billla Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Monroe, WA Posts: 3,814	Re: Gm 260 Hp Crate Motor Some of the "Targetmaster" stuff was rated at 195HP The GMPP engines, starting at the 290, are assembled in the US I believe and the "Service Replacement" are assembled in Mexico. I ain't sure of any of this as it's just the rumors I've heard. I do know that many of the blocks, even for the GMPP stuff is cast in Mexico and other places even though it doesn't have the "Hencho n Mexico" casting mark.

04-11-2008, 01:37 AM	#11
drunkbus New Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Coos Bay, OR Posts: 1,077	Re: Gm 260 Hp Crate Motor Does anybody have any thoughts or opinions on the 290 hp model?

04-11-2008, 03:44 AM	#12
1966gmc Why does it taste purple? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge Md Posts: 621	Re: Gm 260 Hp Crate Motor I have less than 2 grand in my engine I believe.that was with me buying all the hard parts and having the machinist do his magic with the block and heads and putting it together.Then I also have the parts that I had prior to the build (intake,carb,and valve covers) Im damn sure for what little money is mine,it will def whoop up on a 1700 dollar crate motor. It's all in how you want to go about doin it.



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