350 Targetmaster MD

[CAT 245ME]

I'm trying to find out what information do any of you might know about GM's 350 Targetmaster MD engine. I know of one for sale that is in a old 3 ton truck (80's) that is being junked due to rust, unsure of the milage yet but want to know if any one here has had an experience with them.

On the valve covers it does say Target Master 350 MD, i'm assuming the MD stands for medium duty, I did find out that the engine was rated at around 233HP with a 4 bolt main but haven't found any tourque numbers.

I haven't seen the engine yet but would like to know more about it first, I'm hoping the milage isn't to bad. The asking price is $250. And I can here it running if I go look at it

 

[jimbob91]

Had an '84 Targetmaster in a '74 ElCamino, years ago. Don't remember an 'MD' designation....it's been awhile. It ran good in the ol' El Camino. 235hp was probably about right, based on the one I had. It was reliable as heck, anyway. For $250, probably a pretty good deal based on condition and miles....

 

[CAT 245ME]

I just talked to the owner of it, he said it was in a 73 Chev 3 ton, figures the engine is late 80's at the most, the truck belonged to his brother who recently passed away and he hardly used it so he figures the milage can't be that much also the only running it has done the last few years was on his own property. It has a 2bbl carb, runs strong. I'm gonna go tommorow and try to get the casting # off of it. The truck is gonna be cut up for scrap pretty soon.

 

[Cornfield creations]

Take into consideration. Farm trucks tend to have low miles, but they are generally hard miles. We see plenty of trucks from the late 80's to early 90's with 70-100,000 miles, but they use oil like crazy and leak everywhere. Hard work around the farm tends to beat them up. Just something to think about, don't want to see anyone get burned on a bad sale.

 

[bigred81]

It might have a steel crank being that the crate engine is for a big truck and this was common when 350's were used in c50, c60, and very few c70 trucks. Down here in south texas very easy to find these motors out of grain trucks. Yes, they were used hard but make great foundations to build a good motor.

 

[496truck]

Plan on it needing a rebuild. Chances are if he used it on his property only a few times over the last few years that the oil hasn't been changed in at least that time if not more.

 

[CAT 245ME]

Well took a look at the engine this morning, and it definatly leeks oil and lots of it, I was told I would have to pull it myself, so I passed on it.

I was only looking to get a year out of it then build an engine, I think it may be time to build.

The truck I have is an 1985 Chevy Scottsdale K20 with a 14 Bolt FF & Dana 44 with 4.10 gears, axles are from a 76 K20. TH350 tranny & NP241 T case. The truck is a frame up rebuild that I have over 7 thousand into. Suspension is a superlift 4" HD, tires are pro comp xtreme MT 315/75/16, will be using probably 255/85/16's for winter time.

The engine I have here is a 350 sbc, casting #14010207, Heads #333882. I do not know if it is a 2 or 4 bolt main.

The 350 was in my old 85 K10, that truck had a TH350 & NP208, 3.08 gears with 31" BFG MT's. That truck was plow truck and would out push my 98 silverado 2500 with a 350/4L80E & 3.73 gears.

The engine did not smoke any & alway's run strong, oil was changed every 3,500 kilometers and alway's added a can of restore engine treatment. The motor has been sitting in my garage for a year & half.

I do not need a big horse power engine, it would be nice but not necessary.
The truck that is being built will mainly be a work truck, and will be a plow truck just like my 85 K10 was. So I would like the engine to have good low end power. I want to use my rebuilt quadrajet carb, I have new edelbrock shorty headers. I would like to reuse my stock heads try and save some money there.

Now I am not an engine builder, not even close. So what would I be looking at for cost to build an engine with good low end power.

I did price a new 290hp crate engine from one local GMC dealer, the price was $2,400 plus tax = $2,700 CDN plus freight.