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What should I do for a motor?? ~PCV fixed, now what?~

NEK5

NEK5

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Well as some of you know, I`ve had some problems with my motor. So now I think its time to decide what should go in there next. After coming really close to picking up a 383, and then having it fall through before I could do anything, I`m not looking for something to do right now, but it will be in the near future. So what should I do???? What should i be looking for? should i just find a decent running 350, clean and tune it up, and put it in? or should i try and find one that could use a rebuild, and slowly rebuild it? I could get help from my buddy and his dad on building it all up, so that "shouldn`t" be a problem. If i were to do that, what would suggest? as far as parts go..cam,etc....I would like to make it, if possible, to run on the stock ECM, so no extreme cams, etc....

On the other hand, I could try and figure out whats wrong with my motor:eek1: It definitely burns oil, smokes sometimes like a SOB, and it will knock on occasion, mostly on highways...I suppose i could put rebuilt heads on it, but wouldnt that eventually bring out the next weakest link, most likely something in the bottom end?

How much, in general would a shop charge to rebuild a motor, or clean it up? I`m new to motor work, so what are my options?

In the very near future, I`ll be picking up a new tranny, 700r4, thats built, so a little more power over stock won`t hurt..:D

I`d like to get a motor, and rebuild it slowly, and have it done by mid spring, then get it in there.....
 
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BIGBLAZE433 said:
Well as some of you know, I`ve had some problems with my motor. So now I think its time to decide what should go in there next. After coming really close to picking up a 383, and then having it fall through before I could do anything, I`m not looking for something to do right now, but it will be in the near future. So what should I do???? What should i be looking for? should i just find a decent running 350, clean and tune it up, and put it in? or should i try and find one that could use a rebuild, and slowly rebuild it? I could get help from my buddy and his dad on building it all up, so that "shouldn`t" be a problem. If i were to do that, what would suggest? as far as parts go..cam,etc....I would like to make it, if possible, to run on the stock ECM, so no extreme cams, etc....
Click to expand...

what are the aspects of engine performance are you looking for? iirc, this is your dd, so how important is fuel economy?

On the other hand, I could try and figure out whats wrong with my motor:eek1: It definitely burns oil, smokes sometimes like a SOB, and it will knock on occasion, mostly on highways...I suppose i could put rebuilt heads on it, but wouldnt that eventually bring out the next weakest link, most likely something in the bottom end?
Click to expand...

don't do a half ass job. burning oil is probably a result of bad piston rings, so changing heads won't help. if you're gonna fix the piston rings, do a real rebuild.

How much, in general would a shop charge to rebuild a motor, or clean it up? I`m new to motor work, so what are my options?
Click to expand...

don't know, but rebuilding an engine is a pretty easy task.

I`d like to get a motor, and rebuild it slowly, and have it done by mid spring, then get it in there.....
Click to expand...

this is a very good idea.
 
Well, as you said this is my DD. All i really want, is more power than stock, but not so much where I gotta start screwing with the computer. Fuel economy is pretty important, as I`ll be driving it alot more than I usually do. So based on that, what are my options?
 
colbystephens said:
don't know, but rebuilding an engine is a pretty easy task.
Click to expand...

i'll disagree.

bolting parts together for something that runs for a little while is a pretty easy task. building a powerplant that will last requires some special tools, and ALOT of patience and attention to detail. a dial bore gauge, a set of micrometers, and a good quality set of feeler gauges are a must.
 
camok5 said:
Doesnt look like he has any in stock right now but this is the engine I plan on going with when mine dies. He has really good feedback and I have e-mailed him a couple of times with fast responses.
eBay Motors: New balanced GM SBC 350 TBI/TPI 313hp crate 4-bolt main (item 8040049415 end time Apr-19-06 19:01:35 PDT)
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I`d love to go with something like that, but I wouldn`t be able to shell out that kind of money...

How much am I looking at to rebuild a 350? I`m sure it all comes down to which components I go with, but maybe you could give me a ball park estimate???
 
BIGBLAZE433 said:
I`d love to go with something like that, but I wouldn`t be able to shell out that kind of money...

How much am I looking at to rebuild a 350? I`m sure it all comes down to which components I go with, but maybe you could give me a ball park estimate???
Click to expand...

It all depends on how much of the work you are willing to do yourself.
If you just take them a complete engine it will cost close to the one I showed you but wont have alot of the upgrades and extra horsepower.
 
I was told by another member, i could get just get the adaptor plate and then jusy just use an older motor, but still use my tbi/computer?
 
You can do that but it all depends on the engine because TBI computers are picky. The carb engine would have to have close to the same setup as your stock engine or it will run like crap. If its a mild 350 you might be able to get away with just just burning a new chip but you will have to know certain things like what cam, heads, etc. the carb engine has to make it run right with your TBI.
 
beater_k20 said:
i'll disagree.

bolting parts together for something that runs for a little while is a pretty easy task. building a powerplant that will last requires some special tools, and ALOT of patience and attention to detail. a dial bore gauge, a set of micrometers, and a good quality set of feeler gauges are a must.
Click to expand...
then you'd probably hate to see what i think is difficult. :wink1:
 
well, i've never really had a truck project that was very difficult. sometimes its time consuming tho. the harder part of rebuilding an engine is installing it, in my opinion.

i don't question your automotive skills/knowledge, b/c i'm sure you're far beyond me in both, as i've only been doing auto stuff for a couple years. besides, iirc, you're doing an SFA swap on w/ dually axels, right? i don't even know how to weld yet... whatever. just giving you a hard time. :)
 
to the original poster -

i think you'd really benefit from building your own engine. really knowing how everything works is cool. knowing that the machine you are operating was built by YOU is something that just might give you wood, it's that damn cool.

taking your time and making sure to do EVERYTHING 100% right is incredibly important - don't rush anything or half-ass it. just do it quick enough that those nice shiny/perfect/clean parts you get back from the machine shop don't rust. :)
 
Go with a Chrysler 225 slant six. Then just epoxy your tranny to it.

That'll be even safer than making your bumper into an air tank! Yup! :saweet:
 
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