1970 Engine replacement - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

JoeKan · 05-26-2019, 11:36 PM

I have an opportunity to get a real nice looking 1970 Camper Special, it has some rust but not bad. The bad thing about this is the motor is shot. The owner said that it had a busted head gasket and let it sit for awhile before attempting to fix it and water had gotten into the piston.
I don't know very much about motor overhaul or replacement but can someone give me an idea of how big of a pain in the neck it would be to do this myself (with help) or how much it would cost if I paid someone to do this?
If I would be better off getting someone to do this, then who? "A" mechanic down the street?
I would hate to walk away from this because it's a good buy and I want to restore this old girl. Thanks for any help, Joe

**truckster** · 05-26-2019, 11:44 PM

How handy are you with tools? Replacing an engine isn't rocket science, but it does take some basic mechanical knowledge and a good set of tools.

JoeKan · 05-27-2019, 12:03 AM

I think I have most of the tools, except something to pull the motor. I "think" I can do it. My problem would be that I don't have any time.

**truckster** · 05-27-2019, 01:17 PM

If you don't have time, my advice would be to farm it out and don't even start. It can take longer than you think, especially if it's the first time you've pulled and replaced an engine.

JoeKan · 05-27-2019, 02:46 PM

Would it need a compete overhaul based on the description from my first post?

geezer#99 · 05-27-2019, 02:55 PM

If it sat for a long time with water on the pistons it’s likely an over bore won’t save the motor.
You’d need a replacement.
What are your engine expectations?
Stock or slightly modified.

**truckster** · 05-27-2019, 03:46 PM

I agree with geezer. Spending money on that block would be throwing money away. A crate engine is your best bet. The easiest and least expensive option is probably going to be a stock-ish type of crate engine from GMPP. Both Jegs and Summit carry them and often have good sales going on with free shipping.

JoeKan · 05-27-2019, 05:12 PM

Which one would be a good one? I don't want a hot rod, just something that will get me down the road with a camper on the back. It's a 4 speed. Thanks!

https://www.summitracing.com/search/...del/c20-pickup

geezer#99 · 05-27-2019, 05:21 PM

Your linky no worky.

One like this.
All your stuff will bolt right up to it.

https://www.summitracing.com/int/par...make/chevrolet

Got your link working now.
Those are rebuilt motors.
Could be of dubious quality.

**truckster** · 05-27-2019, 07:43 PM

The price difference between new crate engines and rebuilt/remanufactured engines makes buying a new crate engine just so much smarter.

JoeKan · 05-27-2019, 09:50 PM

Thanks for fixing the link. I found out from the owner tonight that its a big block 4 barrel. I don't know why I was thinking small block. I'm planning on taking a look at it sometime this week. How much do you think it would cost to have the motor installed?

**Wrenchbender Ret** · 06-02-2019, 09:23 PM

If its a big block & from what you posted about not much time or equipment I would pass on it. That is a big heavy engine. If you took it to a shop to have a new engine it would cost over$5,000. Then you would still have a lot of things to fix. Unless a guy can do his own work he is better off buying one that is already done. Then you can test drive it & check it out.
That's just my opinion.
George

05-26-2019, 11:36 PM	#1
JoeKan Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 707	1970 Engine replacement I have an opportunity to get a real nice looking 1970 Camper Special, it has some rust but not bad. The bad thing about this is the motor is shot. The owner said that it had a busted head gasket and let it sit for awhile before attempting to fix it and water had gotten into the piston. I don't know very much about motor overhaul or replacement but can someone give me an idea of how big of a pain in the neck it would be to do this myself (with help) or how much it would cost if I paid someone to do this? If I would be better off getting someone to do this, then who? "A" mechanic down the street? I would hate to walk away from this because it's a good buy and I want to restore this old girl. Thanks for any help, Joe

05-26-2019, 11:44 PM	#2
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,794	Re: 1970 Engine replacement How handy are you with tools? Replacing an engine isn't rocket science, but it does take some basic mechanical knowledge and a good set of tools. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

05-27-2019, 12:03 AM	#3
JoeKan Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 707	Re: 1970 Engine replacement I think I have most of the tools, except something to pull the motor. I "think" I can do it. My problem would be that I don't have any time. Last edited by JoeKan; 05-27-2019 at 12:12 AM.

05-27-2019, 01:17 PM	#4
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,794	Re: 1970 Engine replacement If you don't have time, my advice would be to farm it out and don't even start. It can take longer than you think, especially if it's the first time you've pulled and replaced an engine. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

05-27-2019, 02:46 PM	#5
JoeKan Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 707	Re: 1970 Engine replacement Would it need a compete overhaul based on the description from my first post?

05-27-2019, 02:55 PM	#6
geezer#99 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bowser Posts: 13,512	Re: 1970 Engine replacement If it sat for a long time with water on the pistons it’s likely an over bore won’t save the motor. You’d need a replacement. What are your engine expectations? Stock or slightly modified.

05-27-2019, 03:46 PM	#7
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,794	Re: 1970 Engine replacement I agree with geezer. Spending money on that block would be throwing money away. A crate engine is your best bet. The easiest and least expensive option is probably going to be a stock-ish type of crate engine from GMPP. Both Jegs and Summit carry them and often have good sales going on with free shipping. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

05-27-2019, 05:12 PM	#8
JoeKan Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 707	Re: 1970 Engine replacement Which one would be a good one? I don't want a hot rod, just something that will get me down the road with a camper on the back. It's a 4 speed. Thanks! https://www.summitracing.com/search/...del/c20-pickup

05-27-2019, 05:21 PM	#9
geezer#99 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bowser Posts: 13,512	Re: 1970 Engine replacement Your linky no worky. One like this. All your stuff will bolt right up to it. https://www.summitracing.com/int/par...make/chevrolet Got your link working now. Those are rebuilt motors. Could be of dubious quality. Last edited by geezer#99; 05-27-2019 at 05:44 PM.

05-27-2019, 07:43 PM	#10
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,794	Re: 1970 Engine replacement The price difference between new crate engines and rebuilt/remanufactured engines makes buying a new crate engine just so much smarter. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

05-27-2019, 09:50 PM	#11
JoeKan Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 707	Re: 1970 Engine replacement Thanks for fixing the link. I found out from the owner tonight that its a big block 4 barrel. I don't know why I was thinking small block. I'm planning on taking a look at it sometime this week. How much do you think it would cost to have the motor installed?

06-02-2019, 09:23 PM	#12
Wrenchbender Ret Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Overland Park, Ks. Posts: 5,190	Re: 1970 Engine replacement If its a big block & from what you posted about not much time or equipment I would pass on it. That is a big heavy engine. If you took it to a shop to have a new engine it would cost over$5,000. Then you would still have a lot of things to fix. Unless a guy can do his own work he is better off buying one that is already done. Then you can test drive it & check it out. That's just my opinion. George



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