Tired of the gushing leak from the rear main and front crank seals so I finally decided to stop fighting the urge and order a crate motor for the 72 K5.
Ordered a GM Performance Products SP350/357. It's a new one they came out with a few months back at SEMA. It's basically a reborn ZZ4. Vortec Heads, Hyp Pistons, Roller Cam with decent lope. Should liven up the ole 175HP K5 a bit.
I wanted to get the Turn Key motor, but they're not shipping until sometime in August. Karl Chevrolet had one as a "deluxe" package with the intake, carb, HEI, etc in stock so I snagged that one and then ordered the serpentine accessory kit with AC and the chevy performance fuel pump from them. I picked up a Summit Racing Hitachi hi-torque mini starter, a set of ceramic coated Summit Headers (made by Flowtech), and a bunch of misc stuff like fuel pump gasket, push rod, fuel hose, etc. Not counting the headers, because of the cheaper summit starter, it ended up being a little bit cheaper than the Turn-Key GMPP motor (19367084)
Motor and all parts should be here by July 5th, the day the K5 goes into a local shop for the surgery. They should be able to pull the old engine and install the new one without having to swap over a single part. Just listed my original engine, complete, on craigslist if anyone might be looking for an original 72 block (code V0810TDR).
I'll post up pics on the progress. Looking forward to it!
SP350/357 specs:
357HP @ 5500RPM, 407ft-lbs @ 4000RPM
Part Number: 19367082
Engine Type: Chevy Small-Block V-8
Displacement (cu in): 350
Bore x Stroke (in): 4.000 x 3.480
Block (P/N 10105123): Cast iron with 4-bolt main caps
Crankshaft (P/N 10243070): Nodular Iron
Connecting Rods (P/N 10108688): Powdered metal
Pistons (P/N 88894280): Cast aluminum
Camshaft Type (P/N 12677151): Hydraulic roller
Camshaft Lift (in): 0.473" intake / 0.473" exhaust
Camshaft Duration (@.050 in): 215° intake / 223° exhaust
Cylinder Heads: Cast iron; as cast with 64cc chambers
Valve Size (in): 1.940 intake / 1.500 exhaust
Compression Ratio: 9.0:1 nominal
Rocker Arms (P/N 12367346): Stamped steel
Rocker Arm Ratio: 1.5:1
Recommended Fuel: Premium pump
Ignition Timing: 32º Total @ 4,000 rpm
Maximum Recommended rpm: 5,600
Balanced: External
Flexplate (P/N 14088765): 12.750"
Intake Manifold (P/N 12676887): Dual Plane
Installation Notes:
•Holley 4-barrel carb included but not installed on engine
•Comes with 12.750" externally balanced 153-tooth automatic transmission flexplate.
SEMA pic:
Here's what mine will look like when it shows up, before the serpentine install. Now they're shipping them with chrome timing cover and air breather, but black valve covers for some reason.
Ordered these ceramic headers:
