Which engine did you swap to and why?

[Nitis]

As stated in my newbie thread I recently got a 72 k10. The tranny is brand new not sure if it's a turbo 350 or 400. But the engine is tired.

I don't need to go fast just want something reliable. My first thought was a tbi 5.7 as we have some history with those engines and how they work. But finding a god low mileage donor is next to impossible these days

I like the idea of the 6.0 motors as there are probably tons of them available but how much more complicated are they to swap? Also I don't want to go back to 8mpg. I know I'm not building a commuter but I want to be able to afford to drive it somewhere. And we all know the 6.0 engines are power houses but they are thirsty too.

I'm open to suggestion. I would love to do a cummins swap but this isn't the right truck for that plus dad said no not on this truck.

[Nitis]

What did you use and why?

[In The Ten Ring]

Just to keep this thread going....I did not swap...I still have the original I6. Everyone seems to go with 350 Crate or 383 Stoker. If I needed to swap, I'd go for a 292 I6 and if I had a V8 truck or needed a V8, I'd want a 283 or 327, even thoughboth seem rare to find. I like things original and I'm not a street rod type. If I were you, I'd go back as close to original as possible. Can the engine be rebulit? These 350 Crate engines (sorry guys, "motors" are electric) seem to be the way to go on a budget. Would you get better gas mileage with a small block?

[Nitis]

Nothing wrong with that either all a matter of personal preference and what one wants for an end result.

[low&slow]

My post managed somehow to get posted in your other thread

[special-K]

Don't need to swap to get reliable. These trucks are great,first,because of their great reliability. There isn't a part on these trucks that isn't worth rebuilding or replacing with the same part new. I've had my '72 w/350 since '01 and all I do is drive it. I've had to do very few repairs along the way. I swapped the 350 from another '72 I had that I bought in '91 that was sitting waiting for restoration. That motor ran fantastic and was going to waste just sitting,so I swapped it in and put the other on ice. That engine was supposed to be rebuilt when I bought the truck in '91 and it still runs strong. I adjusted the carb (maybe) when I did the swap in '04 but other than that I have never touched it and it still runs great and gives me 12.5 mpg in a 3/4t 4wd automatic.
Check your compression. If it's not so great then you would want to rebuilt it or swap. But,it could just need a major tune-up. You can get a crate 350 from Jegs for about the cost of a rebuild or the sky is the limit

[abraham.hd]

I purchased a 5.3 complete with all accessories for 1000 bucks

[Willys47]

I changed from a inline 6 to a big block. why because when I was at the age of 16 I got to drive a buds fathers 68 GMC with a 396 and WoW was that fun, the tork of that thing made me want that feeling some more

[FRANKENSTEINC10]

I went big block because I found found one that was $200 cheaper than a 350 and had a lot less miles. Much more fun to drive too.

[Lattimer]

My truck was a 6-cylinder, but a PO had swapped in a 327. After much trial and error I discovered some internal issues with the 327. So I bought a crate 350, but I went for a performance engine.

[brad_man_72]

My 5.3 was $200, its nice having a quick, relaible truck that gets 17mg. They don't look that good but that's what the hood is for.

4.8s make good power also.

[K10 STEPSIDE]

The 5.3s are great. good mileage, power, etc.
but it isn't as easy as swapping in an older engine.

[1972RedNeck]

I presume that when you were talking about a Cummins swap, you were referring to a 6BT. You should look into a 4BT. They can be found with Chevy adapter plates and motor mounts that will bolt right in place of your current engine.

[Nitis]

No I was totally thinking 4bt. Maybe on a future build do a two wheel manual trams runner

[TwinsSpeedShop]

I use LS motors. The are reliable, basically indestructible and make good power. For the money of rebuilding a SBC you can get fuel injection, overdrive, and good mpg's. Now I do all of my work myself, so thats why I say for the "same" money. IF you are going to have to pay someone to do either, you might want to get quotes on both to weigh your options. Don't be scared of the wiring, there is so much information on the internet and this sight that can help you that its a no brainer if you have some mechanical skills. As for the TBI motors, ive done a few of those as well and to me the LS swaps are easier especially on the wiring side. Check out lt1swap.com for information on the wiring of the LS motors, tons of information on his site.

My truck is a 70 SWB with 03 5.3/4l60e and Im getting between 18-20 commuting to work and driving around town. I have not made any long road trips to I do not know the hwy mileage. My brothers is a 6.0/4l80 LWB and he gets 12-13 in town and 17 on the hwy. The power is is great if thats what your after but the mileage will suffer.

[myyamr7]

I went from a 350 (wasn't original motor, but it did come with a 350) to a 402 big block. No real justified reason, other than I wanted one. The 350 ran awesome, but I needed to pull it out and re gasket it anyways. The big block is fun, way more torque and pulls the truck around better with the overdrive trans.

[Schmoldt]

LS1, Easy modifications, fast, great mpg 20-25 Plus, great power, light. Check out ls1tech those guys know their stuff!

[FstCarsNGuitars]

In my '68 I went with a 454 / TH400, because the project i picked up had no engine and I've always wanted a big bock Chevy swb truck. I picked up the motor and tranny for $600 and they both run awesome.

[Nitis]

I am really leaning towards doing the LS swap. I found a guy on here I actually know who lives in my town who has done one so that's somewhat comforting. Now it's just a matter of time and money! And finding the right donor.

Pretty sure I want to do the 6.0 so hopefully I can find one of those. But if the right 5.3 fell in my lap I'd jump

[Z10]

I built mine as a driver and wanted drivability & dependability. Started with a new ZZ4 and then added a FIRST TPI system. The engine is still new but is returning about 16mpg on the highway.

I considered a LS engine, but have always liked the look of the TPI. With the FIRST I get the look and the ability to support up to 600hp. Check out my build thread in my signature for more info and pics.

[LostMy65]

Bump

[BRL]

Yanked out a 250-6 for a 355 V-8.

TRW fordged flattops, fulie heads,...blah...blah......blah.

Love the sound of a lightly loping cammed Small Block, going through non-leaking headers, (with a crossover) into QUIET, but free flowing Hemi mufflers...

WITH THE FLIPPIN" STEREO BLASTING ROCK & ROLL!!!

YAHOO!

...100 bolted in extra cubic inches and a whole lot more bottom end torque doesn't hurt anything either ya know.

EDIT:...oh, forgot to add the mandatory truck picture for no reason...

[Grumpy old man]

I had the original 250 6 I was going to use in the 67 cleaned resealed ready , than came across a great deal on a 350 4 bolt recent rebuild for $300. sold the 6 to a local guy for his 63 for $350. cleaned resealed the 350 after adding a V8 manual cross member , Things change fast ...Old school is still cool

[Rich69shortfleet]

I swapped out a tired wheezy 307 for a 400 small block. Why? More torque and power with a package that would (mostly) fit in with the same brackets and such as the previous small block. At the time I wanted to upgrade to a big block but the added cost of the engine itself (got the sb400 for $150) and all new brackets, etc. put it well out of my then budget. If I had it to do again now I'd seriously consider an LS.

The 400 has run like a champ once I got it to run cool, but it is definitely a truck motor (came out of a mid-1970s Blazer) and while it has nice torque down low, it has no top end at all being all done by 4500 RPMs. While this is more than adequate for a truck, it would be fun to have more of a hot rod engine. I went REALLY conservative on the cam when I rebuilt it, I'd make a somewhat different choice now. A set of heads and a different cam would be fun.

[old51sedan]

Grumpy,
I bet you didn't leave that compressor bracket on there, do you have anymore of those laying around?