Need options on engine

[jcnelson]

I have a 94 Chevy pickup which belonged to my father, it has a 350 with four speed auto. I want to rebuild it and use it in my 72 project. I have been told that is an undisirable engine combo. I have looked around summit and jegs and don’t find much for rebuilds. I’m looking for a nice cruiser no massive power or tire shredder. Plus how difficult would it be to get the trans compatible

[dave`12]

I disagree with whoever told you it is an undesirable combo. I prefer manual trannys, but if you like auto, and if the engine/tranny is in good shape, and like you said, you don't want a tire shredder, I would just freshen it up and use it.

Really, who would say a 350 is undesirable?

[WhiteCST]

I’ll have to disagree and say that 350 is undesirable. I have the same engine in my Trans Am (originally a rare 305/T5 combo) and what a gutless wonder. Even with the smog and A.I.R. system delete, it still sucks on power and economy. My 5 speed helps quite a bit and makes it seem faster than it really is. The first thing I’ll do whenever I get to that car is put in a modern LS, almost certainly a 5.3. It’s ridiculous how much better they, and I’m in the process of putting one in my 68 C10. They’re the same difficulty/simple to swap in as your 350 would be, just in a different way. They can be found abundantly and very cheap (especially the truck ones) and are pretty cheap to mod and maintain.

[Grumpy old man]

Originally Posted by jcnelson

I have a 94 Chevy pickup which belonged to my father, it has a 350 with four speed auto. I want to rebuild it and use it in my 72 project. I have been told that is an undisirable engine combo. I have looked around summit and jegs and don’t find much for rebuilds. I’m looking for a nice cruiser no massive power or tire shredder. Plus how difficult would it be to get the trans compatible

What engine /trans combo is in the 72 now ?

A 350 is now considered undesirable !

Don't drink the LS kool aid

[jessemthompson]

I believe the 94 350 was TBI and the heads on it aren’t the greatest. If you want to build a decent 350, just put a set of Vortec heads on it. It will require a different intake, but it would make decent power.

[clay68c10]

X2 on the Vortec head swap.
That block is probably machined for a factory roller cam, even tho the trucks didn’t get them. I know my 93 is. That is a worthwhile upgrade, and relatively cheap.
Do those 2 things and you can have a nice reliable and strong running 350 for not much money.
I’m not sure what year the trans went to electric control, that is a bigger deal if it is.

[4carbcorvair]

I have a TBI 350 in my Jeep CJ with a 5 speed. It's a great combo and honestly, a bit more power than a CJ needs. I have no issue burning the 33" tires. Are there newer/better options? Of coarse, if you want to go LS. There is absolutlely nothing wrong with a TBI 350.

[weq92f]

You came to the right place to get some better advise.


-klb

[Coley]

Ok....job 1 (always) is:

What is your cost budget? (+/- $250)

Asking for opinions and possible options without having that number on the table doesn't usually lead to legitimate responses, lol.

Coley

[MARKDTN]

There is nothing wrong with a TBI 350. No, it's not a tire shredder, but it's an honest reliable workhorse truck engine. I would keep the TBI and put it in. Either use an external fuel pump or add a tank with a pump in it (TBI S10 Blazer fits). The heads are not the best for top power, but they are durable. My wife had a water pump leak on a '96 Suburban and it got so hot it melted the temp sensor plastic. Put a new water pump and it went 100k miles still running fine when I sold it.

[shoveldug]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

What engine /trans combo is in the 72 now ?

A 350 is now considered undesirable !

Don't drink the LS kool aid

Put the tools down and slowly step away from the LS.

[WhiteCST]

Why so much ls hate? I’m not trying to bust anyone’s balls but are people actually swapping for these engines known for sucking? And then throwing money at it to suck slightly less? Maybe I’m being negative Nancy, but that just doesn’t make sense. I’ll agree that they are reliable but I wouldn’t say any more or less than a 5.3 iron block. And these can be found everywhere locally for $200 and up and throwing money at a better base platform makes more sense. Just my .02, not stirring the pot, just wondering why the idea got shot down so quick.

[Coley]

Quote: "Why so much ls hate?"

.."these engines known for sucking?"

.."to suck slightly less?"

....lol.


The 350, even the old school 350 can be turned and tuned into a seriously great performing engine with the right parts and the right people building it.

The LS default is ok, its a great motor but not cheap once you factor in the whole deal start to finish...including the transmission, harnesses, etc, etc.
As for being in a classic truck. No problem as long as you keep the hood shut because it certainly is a massive 'yawner' in terms of underhood show/detail appeal.

my two bits, all good
Coley

[dave`12]

Not wanting to argue with the LS crowd. It's a great motor for sure, I'm just saying that calling the 350 "undesirable" sounds crazy to me. You can't swing a dead cat without hitting a vintage vehicle that someone has put a 350 into and loves it. 350's are abundant, parts are cheap, and they are easy to work on. Is the LS better? Sure, but I'm happy with the 350 that I put into my c10. It can smoke the tires effortlessly, is reliable, and looks great.

The other day, I swapped my carb. In and out in 45 minutes. Same thing for the waterpump when it went. LS's are too complicated to work on for a guy like me.

In the end, it's up to what you want. Both options can be winners!

Here is a pic of my 350 craiglist motor ($800.00) that I put in myself, wired myself, and keep running myself (no white lab coat necessary).

[Bigdav160]

They were not powerhouses at ~200hp. The swirl port heads do not breathe beyond 4000 rpm but they were reliable. I lost count of how many 400k mile units I've seen.

I'd be tempted to swap the engine and trans (TBI computer and all). Maybe a slight upgrade in camshaft (don't know how retarded the factory cam is).

It would make a nice reliable cruiser

[jcnelson]

Thanks for all the input, I think they where referring more to the year then the 350 it’s self. I like the old school look, the trans is an auto I’ll need to check to see if it’s electronic I don’t think it’s electronic. As far as what it has in right now nothing I have it stripped down to parade rest, even removed all the rivets in the frame and in the process of putting epoxy on and will start reassembly in the next day or two. The engine combo is more of keeping my dad closer

[jocko]

If the 94 is a 1/2 ton, trans should be a 4L60E (by then, I think), if a 3/4 ton, should be a 4L80E. Yes, the 350 TBIs are a bit skosh in the hp department. Having said that, my seemingly endless search for a 93-94 K2500 Silverado with exactly that engine continues. Fruitlessly, I might add, they’re all rusted or have 300k mi it seems!

If you have the engine and it’s free - or if you just want to swap it in as a driver and not a hot rod, I’d go for it. If you really want to build a tire burner, you’d perhaps come out money ahead to start with a different approach, whether that be LS or crate 350/383, well, up to you.

And yes, you’re right, there IS something to that old school look. I can remember when a 94 350 was new school.. ha. But it does have the classic sbc look in general. As much as i do love my own LS engine, I have yet to Jedi mind-trick myself into thinking it actually looks good too.

[Grumpy old man]

I'll stick with the UNDESIRABLE 350 4 bolt or the lowly L6 292 that actually came in these trucks , My daily is a 1995 with the 350 tbi 4L60 K2500 and It's still running great with 240,000 and it works for a living .

[WhiteCST]

Originally Posted by Coley

Quote: "Why so much ls hate?"

.."these engines known for sucking?"

.."to suck slightly less?"

....lol.


The 350, even the old school 350 can be turned and tuned into a seriously great performing engine with the right parts and the right people building it.

The LS default is ok, its a great motor but not cheap once you factor in the whole deal start to finish...including the transmission, harnesses, etc, etc.
As for being in a classic truck. No problem as long as you keep the hood shut because it certainly is a massive 'yawner' in terms of underhood show/detail appeal.

my two bits, all good
Coley

I definitely see how it sounded, and all I can say is I have both and I know 100% which one is my favorite. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the 350, it’s just not that great. And I should specify, I have a 350 in a 75 C10 that runs absolutely amazing for its age and has plenty of power, the 350 I’m
Talking about is the L98. Would I put the 350 in a my 75 into my 68? Yes, would I put my 91 350 into my 68? Definitely not. Hope that clears it up, and I didn’t mean to step on the toes of the traditional 350 guys.

[stsalvage]

Thats' a hard one to find AC bracket on a inline 6 i have a full bracket as well found one in my junk pile 2 months ago wish i would of found it sooner cus i had a really nice 250 that was just rebuilt sold it for 500.00 2 years ago.very hard part to find Most Impala guys would pay insane money for the brackets for the A6 compressor.COOL