Motor Works crate engines
 

After much thought, I have decided to pull my 250 I6 out of my 69 swb (don't worry, it has a new home to go to in a 53 p/u). I am probably going to go with a crate engine I have looked at Summit, JEGS, all the usual spots. I also have a vortech complete 350 I could build, but I don't have any idea what the history on it is or why it was pulled. I found a company called Motor Works in Spokane, WA. They claim to be one of the top suppliers of crate engines in the world, and their prices and warranty are very attractive. I just was curious if anyone here had had any dealings with them or knew anything about them. I would also welcome any info or suggestions for what to do for an engine. I want a street cruiser with a decent bark AND bite.
Thanks,
Cub

Re: Motor Works crate engines
 

The original "crate" engine was the Target Master engine program started by GM many years ago. The name was later changed to Goodwrench. Since then many remans have wrapped some wood around their engines & called them "crate engines". Most of the GM engines are all new parts. Some of the remans can get you in a lot of trouble. At one time when I had a shop they almost put me out of business with all the comebacks. I have used hundreds of the Goodwrench engines & never had a problem.
Most areas have at least one GM dealer that offers the best price. The others get theirs from them. Jegs had free shipping on them a while back. That is the way I would go.

Re: Motor Works crate engines
 

Jeg's has free shipping on GM Crates untill September 14,I just got a e-mail sale flyer.

Re: Motor Works crate engines
 

Its really hard to beat the 260/350 goodwrench. Jegs and Summit also offer packages to go with them so they become basically turn-key (intake/carb/etc). I'm $1500 into a Vortec headed 355 build and dont even have intake, cam, gaskets, carb.

Re: Motor Works crate engines
 

i think you can get a GM crate Eng, 290 hp 350 for around $1900.00 they sound good and pull good, one in a 40 ford and another 56 chevy and love them both.

Re: Motor Works crate engines
 

Thank you all for your input. We just finished putting a GM crate engine in another truck (a 72 we were doing for a guy we know) and it was awesome how smoothly it went. I had really kind of thought I would get the GM 290hp for $2k shipped or the GM 260hp for about $1600 shipped, but wanted to explore all my options. Motorworks offers a longer time warranty, but less mileage. The tuck isn't a dd or anything, so I won't put a whole lot of miles on it. what are the differences in the GM 290/260? Is the $4-500 worth? What about the Blueprint brand 355? You can get one of those that is 310 hp for $2295.
Anybody tried those?

Re: Motor Works crate engines
 

I have a buddy with a Blueprint motor, the 383 stroker, and he's been happy with it. If I was on a budget I'd go the GM 260hp 350 tho. Hard to beat a brand new motor. Unless of course I didn't plan on keeping the truck, then it would get a cheap rebuilt one. :lol:

Re: Motor Works crate engines
 

Only difference between the 260/350 and the 290/350 is the camshaft. Everything else, heads, shortblock, is the same.

Re: Motor Works crate engines
 

I'm very close to pulling the trigger on the Jegs GM260/350. $2,200 for new motor, carb, intake mani, dist, + goodies. New is good. I plan to drive the truck for the next 20 years.

Re: Motor Works crate engines
 

Spokane is about 35 miles from Coeur d'Alene. While I don't have any personal expereince with them, I have known a couple guys that did buy engines from them in years past, and they were happy with what they got. Another big engine builder in Spokane is S&J Engines. My son had a 4.3 built by them, but we haven't fired it yet.

If you do decide to go with an actual GM crate engine, take a look at the L31 Vortec 350 replacement engine. They can be found for around $2K. Then you have a better platform to build from IMO. The Vortec heads and a factory roller cam.

Re: Motor Works crate engines
 

I definitely plan to hang on to mine. The more I think about it, the more the 260 seems like the best deal. I like the idea of the 40 extra hp of the 290, but it seems like $500 is a steep jump for just a cam. I could do that on my own cheaper (probably voiding the warranty. I wish i could get a GM performance shortblock, and then add on of those top end kits to make 400+ hp.

Re: Motor Works crate engines
 

i prefer buying a crate engine from a local GM dealer. so if in the future there is any problem i can get the warrenty work done by the place i've bought it from// yea it is supposed to b good all over but the fact is that people that sell you something are more inclined to do you work quickly and you find no hoops are needed for you to jump thru

Re: Motor Works crate engines
 

I am going to check pricing at my local chevy dealer.

Re: Motor Works crate engines
 

zz4 fast burn engine is very nice.. IF you want a upgraded belt system it is an option.. ALl is based on what you want.. The blueprint engines from what I have read seem to be holding up well.. Unless you want something custom hard to beat a crate engine, from a company that can get your warranty backed up.. That is the biggest concern I would have... Good luck..

Re: Motor Works crate engines
 

when you go in have the mailorder pricing with you as some local dealers will come down a bunch to make a sale especially if they have in stock and you have cash and r serious about buying

Re: Motor Works crate engines
 

Talked to the parts guy at my local dealership today. He says their cost is like $1900 for the 290hp, but took my number because he found a place that had 7 in stock. If they can get close to $2k out the door, I'm gonna pull the trigger.

Re: Motor Works crate engines
 

I was trying to do some research on Motor Works Motors and came across this thread. I realize it is 6 years old but I was wondering if there are any results or further comments about the "Motor Works crate engines" I recently purchased one and am still trying to install and work out some bugs. I have some issues but not sure if related to motor builder or something else. An update would be helpful. I am not interested in GM crate motors but MOTOR WORKS the company.

Re: Motor Works crate engines
 

You should start a new thread in the engine section.
Tell us what your troubles are and we can help you figure it out.