TH350 to Crate

[caleb22]

Looking at a Blueprint crate 350 as a starting point for my '76 with a TH350. I have 35's and a 4" lift now and the stock 350 needs a rebuild bad. I'm going to leave it in there for now so I can still drive it but get a crate as a base to start from. Then put my K5 engine in my Jeep after a rebuild.

https://blueprintengines.com/collec...s/gm-350-with-vortec-heads-roller-cam-1pc-rms

Don't know if anyone can recommend anything different but need to keep costs down and since I have limited/novice engine experience I need a solid base to start with. This will be for a DD and no wheeling or anything.

 

[Blazooki]

check summit, jeggs and speedway..for that motor..they run sales on those long blocks

 

[dyeager535]

You can get an L31 crate motor from GM for ~$1800.

The blueprint must have modified heads to accommodate the lift, and it makes 40+HP over the L31, so extra cost is valid, but as I found when looking at all these things, all the aftermarket engines have downsides I didn't see with the L31. Or at least things I looked at as downsides...overbores, etc. The cost to make more power is exponential, not linear. I actually did a spreadsheet to see what the $ to HP ratio was, and I'm pretty sure the L31 beat out everything I compared it to.

 

[caleb22]

I came across an immediate opportunity to get this for $1K still in the crate, guy ordered it and customer backed out.

https://www.high-performance-engines.com/chevy-350-short-block-crate-engine-p/sp04.htm

From what I gather there shouldn't be any issues mating to a TH350 in my 76?

 

[dyeager535]

Heads, valve covers, timing chain, oil pan, cam, gasket set, etc.

You'd be into a crate GM roller cam engine for $800 more, without needing any of the above.

I know, broken record, but I just don't see the savings unless you are going to go wild on the cam.

TH350 will bolt to any SBC.

 

[RubberFloorMat]

another vote for the L31 crate engine and mild cam swap, for at least 800-1k less.Or take what you were gonna spend and do some more upgrades, like put stonger springs in to allow more lift on the cam, get a intake..etc.

https://www.jegs.com/i/GM-Performan...MI6Y6Am4q23AIViS-BCh2XTAycEAQYASABEgIwCvD_BwE