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MEMO43

MEMO43

1/2 ton status
Joined
Mar 24, 2018
Posts
490
Reaction score
309
Location
Gardenrville NV
Sorry not much of a title but
I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a long block for my k5.
I'm looking at a sbc 350 from oriellys
(Especially since I work there an I can't help myself being a car nut)
I will be replacing just the long block for now an have everything I need to finish the swap. At least I think the list is as follows:
Spark plugs an wires
Distributor (used)
Fuel pump (new)
Water pump (new)
Alternator (new)
Harmonic balancer (new)
Motor mounts
2 cases of 10w30 motor oil and 2 wix filters.
**I'm reusing my current intake edelbrock with recently rebuilt quadrajet**

Once the engine has been broken in an a few oil changes I would like to do an efi from Holley there sniper kit installed.
This is my daily driver so I can't go to crazy yet. later on I will have the trans rebuilt th350 and have the tcase resealed.

Does the list seem like I have everything I have plenty of rtv and have been pressure washing the engine bay and undercarriage every chance I get.
I gave myself a weekend to do swap which should be enough time especially since thus is not my first swap I've done

Thanks in advance
 
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Belts, hoses, thermostat, coolant, fuel filter, pcv valve, zinc additive for cam break in. If doing new motor mounts, check tcase mount also.
 
1977k5 I'm doing an engine replacement due to low compression and at the same time every seal on the current engine leaks. Also the PO didn't due a good job as far as maintaining it. One of the rocker studs is stripped an has to have to ricjer nuts to keep it from backing out.
Chrisperry thanks for the additional small things to add to the list . I knew I was forgetting something and it's usually all the small things.
 
The K5 will by no means be a show car for as much as I want it to be.
Although my 15 yo son called dibs on it an both him and my daughter have learned how to drive in it. I want to keep it as reliable as possible if not even better. Especially since I refuse to buy myself a new car. I would rather rebuild what I have an spend the money on it vice the while car payment.
I've aleays said between routine maint an gas that makes up more than enough for a car payment.
 
How much can you get the engine for? Some of GM's crate engines are pretty "cheap", and not remanufactured by the lowest bidder...
 
They come in around 1400 for a 4 bolt main
I've need shopping for a bit
Unless you have a link of info on a better source

Not looking for anything to fancy I'm the power department just a reliable daily driver
 
https://www.chevrolet.com/performance/crate-engines

Take the part number for one you like and drop it into eBay. Radley Chevrolet sells on there, but will sell direct too if you call them. Their prices are pretty darn reasonable. You do get into some issues if you go with the later stuff like the L31 (Vortec) SBC, but you can get a decent power "boost" by going with it over some of the "lesser" crate engines, without going crazy on price. If you really want to play with it, one way of comparing (if just for fun) is to take the HP and divide by price. Anything beyond a true crate replacement starts to exponentially cost more per HP.
 
Thanks for the input
I will look into them
I forsee some sort of build thread coming up on my end
 
Well thanks to CL I came up with a dilemma
I can score a 383 for a good price
Engine sounds solid an when we cuht the oil filter the filter was clean.
The engine come complete minus carb and distributor.
Should I pull the trigger or stick to the plan of crate 350.
This is my daily commuter 60 miles each way.
I know mpg difference will have some slight effect on the wallet.
What would you do
 
Whats a good price?

That motor could fail the day after you install it, is that worth the risk to you? Not saying it WILL, just that it can happen. That money will be gone just like that...and you'll get to spend more.

And yes, I'm cynical and paranoid. But stuff like that does happen, even with brand new engines. Let alone ones you have no idea how they were put together, regardless of how they run or whether there is metal in the oil or not.

FWIW, just using random figures. If the 383 got 15MPG, and a 350 got 17MPG (I doubt it would be that significant, but it's a figure) it would cost you $720/year more in fuel than the 350. I don't think economy is a valid reason to consider one or the other. Reliability is, if this is your sole source of transportation for your livelihood.
 
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As for the price it comes in at a whopping 850.
I guess at the end of the day dyeager535 Is correct I would rather have some sort of warranty vice none.
I have already started gathering the parts for the swap mid this month. hopefully before it gets to cold to bust some knuckles.
 
Commuting 120 miles a day, no way in hell I'd be driving something that didn't get at least 35-40mpg.

At 15mpg your spending $30 a day in fuel. Working 20 days a month thats 600 a month in fuel.
If you get a newer commuter car 40+mpg is easy. That would cut the fuel cost to 225 or so, figure 300 per month for car payment and insurance. Now that might not sound like you are much money ahead, BUT the dependability of a newer car and cheaper maintenance (think $75 per tire rather than 150+) would be huge. Being able to get to and from every day without worry is such a stress reducer.

IMHO, save the square for relaxation.
 
Chris that's the beauty of where I live. I live in Gardnerville NV and Commute to the Marine base in Bridgeport Ca.
My entire commute is all highway miles with one traffic light, during the winter months 4x4 is highly desirable, either that or chains.
I estimate about 13-15 miles a gallon. with a 31 gallon tank and me working 4 to 10 hrs shifts, one tank last a work week.
The intent with me wanting a new engine/trans combo is to give me a more relaxed drive.
I guess after serving 21 years in the Marine Corps I am either to stubborn to change or adapt. rebuild what I have spend less than the 40-50k
I would put in a new commuter car that always seem to attract the wildlife here.
 
FWIW, a newer Kia (and I'm sure Toyota, Honda, hyundai's etc) can be had for something like $16k, and easily get 40MPG if you drive like a sane person.

And I hate to say it, but even being "just" FWD, the car is far safer in winter driving conditions than a square body. The ONLY things they cant do better is dealing with deep snow.

Traction control, ABS, and good tires in a FWD make a square body feel like a deathtrap on slick highways. I'm sure AWD would be another level still. I feel comfortable driving a cheap FWD car at speeds easily double what I do in the truck in the same road conditions. And I'm never having to work on it just to GET to work.
 
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dyeager535 said:
FWD, the car is far safer in winter driving conditions than a square body.
Click to expand...
Unless you have a np203. The problem with 203s though, in the snow that is, is yuh can't have any fun. Soon as you touch the go pedal she straightens out.
MEMO43 said:
Chris that's the beauty of where I live. I live in Gardnerville NV
Click to expand...
I used to live in Carson City. That place is 4X4 heaven. I miss it terribly. Have you ever checked out the "oldest bar in NV" in Genoa? Elderado canyon is really cool if you can find it. Starts somewhere north of mound house and drops into Gardnerville or Minden. Hopefully they haven't developed to the point of destroying places like horse power hill? Ash and Kings canyon?
 
tenderfoot said:
Unless you have a np203. The problem with 203s though, in the snow that is, is yuh can't have any fun. Soon as you touch the go pedal she straightens out.

I used to live in Carson City. That place is 4X4 heaven. I miss it terribly. Have you ever checked out the "oldest bar in NV" in Genoa? Elderado canyon is really cool if you can find it. Starts somewhere north of mound house and drops into Gardnerville or Minden. Hopefully they haven't developed to the point of destroying places like horse power hill? Ash and Kings canyon?
Click to expand...

I've gone through Elderado canyon when I had my FSJ Jeep, I agree this place is 4x4 heaven, nothing like getting off the paved road to cruise the mountain trails
 
Subaru's are popular here due to their 4wd and decent fuel economy..
So are just about every 4x4 SUV too though..you see more SUV's around here than anything,mostly the higher end ones from BMW,Lexus,Range Rovers & Land Rovers,and KIA's ,GM clones like the Equinox or Trailblazer..but I bet those don't get much better than 20 mpg..
 
Well after lots of debating
I finally pulled the trigger on a long block 350 4 bolt main
Man is this 5hing fighting me
I assumed (mistake) that everything would transfer over.
Coming to a screeching halt to replace the flex plate for one with a 2.5" center hole diameter was no fun
Everything going back in to find out I need a few small pieces
Carb stud for the throttle cable
Shorter ps pump belt
Reroute kick down cable
 
For the swap I did
A 4 bolt main 350
New edelbrock intake #2701
New carb 1406
New MSD hei distributor
New thermostat
Now new flex plate
New motor mount
New water pump
New ps pump
New harmonic balancer
I'll bet pics of the random assembly plus I'll get some pictures of the blazer
Because it is no fun without pics
 
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