Looking for a motor...need some advice

[kev2809]

well its about time to drop in a motor so i can cruise around and enjoy what i have before i tear it down.

the motor thats in it now doesnt want to start, and i really have no interest to try. i dont trust it since i know its not the original, so i would like to try to drop something in thats dependable and running already. so heres a few questions...

i want a 350 or 327, but i guess will settle for a 307 or 305 if i found one cheap.

what exactly is the difference between the motors?

i been checking craigslist for about a month now trying to find something already running and ready to go..and i have found a few. im trying to stay away from anything that is stripped down since i dont want to take a chance on anything. im kinda on a budget here.

i found a 307 from a chevelle, already pulled. owner claims it has 70k miles, but needs an oil pan gasket, distributor (i already have a brand new hei), and a carb. hes asking $75.


i also found a 87 305..claims its complete pull out and running, 80k miles, for $200. even offers to install for a fee..

1978 pontiac 305 and 4 speed trans - $300 still in car, "i can hear it run"

last one..another chevelle 307 with a turbo 350. pulled running from a 71 chevelle, rebuilt carb. shifted fine. pics look nice $400


i dont want to post all of em lol. but these are a few. would you trust any of these?

[ruffrida2005]

Only ones I would trust Kev is the ones I could hear run. These are so easy to have them start on a stand just to hear run. I just dont know anyone out your way to help.

[kev2809]

ya thats what i was told before, hehe. well i guess the only one thats trustworthy is the 78 305...which i guess isnt a bad option. its a little newer than the other 2. do you know the difference between the size motors?

[ripdog28]

$400 for a 307 and a TH350 isnt a bad deal running or not.

[ruffrida2005]

I agree with ripdog, just before you buy it see if you can turn the motor so it's not stuck or hard to turn.

about the motors diffrence. from what I've heard from 283-400 are based off the same block. diffrences are going to be in the stroke and bore size, as well as pistion size.
I'm not a motor guy so I could be all wrong.

[Ticker]

The only difference between those engines are the displacement.

Unless you've heard it run - it's most likely junk

I have to admit I don't get the approach - you'd rather drop in something unknown and/or rebuild an engine...than troubleshoot the one that's already in there?

[cdowns]

doesnt look to me like any of the motors pictured are complete or running much less dependable// i'd say spend a weekend with a service manual as your best buddy and make an effort to salvage what you've already got

[kev2809]

Originally Posted by Ticker

I have to admit I don't get the approach - you'd rather drop in something unknown and/or rebuild an engine...than troubleshoot the one that's already in there?

absolutely. if i see a motor come out of a truck with 120k miles, i have a better idea how many miles are on the motor. since i know this isnt my original motor, who knows how many miles are on it. i just dont wanna risk this motor not knowing anything about it. what i need to do is run the numbers on it to give me an idea at least what im dealing with...i think that would help a lot lol

Originally Posted by cdowns

doesnt look to me like any of the motors pictured are complete or running much less dependable// i'd say spend a weekend with a service manual as your best buddy and make an effort to salvage what you've already got

ive tinkered with it a bit, but there is just no motivation there. i would rather see one running in a car or truck, pull it out, drop it in and be done with it. then sell what i have now and get some change back. i guess this statement pretty much rules out the first, second, and last motor choices lol

[Hottrucks]

find a rust bucket car or truck with a Vortec...use the motor trany and scarp the left overs...that will cover half the cost of it and you'll get the best hp for your $$$

[Ticker]

Originally Posted by kev2809

ive tinkered with it a bit, but there is just no motivation there. i would rather see one running in a car or truck, pull it out, drop it in and be done with it. then sell what i have now and get some change back.

I hear you...but it never, ever works out that way

[augy49]

I'm with Ticker. You're no better off with a 'pig in a poke' than with what you have now, unless you're an experienced engine guy.

[ruffrida2005]

I do have to agree with the rest Kev. I know your going to school and done have much money to spend on it, I would say give it a good tune up and get it running.

[kev2809]

^^^ no school here...its been a few years lol.

well i guess ill see what happens...it just looks ugly too lol

the other things i noticed was it had a rusted up points style distributor, which i took out and put in an hei. also the carb looks like crap and also has rust on it. so im probably gonna have to change that too before i start to mess with it. just seems like im gonna pitch money in it just to take a chance. that doesnt seem the route to go to me...thats why it seemed logical to me to find one already running and drop it in rather than chance this one. im not trying to argue here, just giving reason why i made this thread.

[ruffrida2005]

Opps sorry got you confused with someone else out your way.

You should have seen my motor before I pulled it out and painted it.

[kev2809]

lol, i know..i know. i wish i could really focus on the motor and not have a limit to spend. i would love to have one torn down and get new parts, chrome it up and paint it. someday down the road........................................someday!

[Hottrucks]

well for the price of a pan gasket you could pull it and check the bottom out....scrape it down roll it over pull the vavle covers take a look there then squirt it with a rattle can put the pan and covers back on and put it in.....worse its going to do is burn a little oil...but in the mean time you have something that will look ok and any parts you bolt on like a carb..fuel pump or what ever will roll right onto any other small block ..well unless you go with a vortec

[70 Suburban]

i have a 283 with a powerglide..

you can hear it run. It has powerpac heads. roller rockers. cran 280h cam(i know its to big) it idles high cause the cam but lopes mean