Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

Hard to beat a well built crate engine. If you're cheap ass like me, it's hard to beat craig's list too. I have gotten several smoking deals on motor/tranny combos. I search out wrecked trucks. Sometimes you can actually part out and scrap out the donor and make a few bucks. Plus if you can hear it run first that's great, or like my last one, I drove it up on to the trailer.

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

Jimbo my build isn't super popular either but as time has gone on I have gotten more viewers and you will too.

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

I just found your thread. I too would go with the crate engine. It always seems to be cheaper in the long run, especially if you have a lot of machining to do on the block and heads. You might look into it, but you may even get a warranty with a crate motor. I've had 30 and 90 day warranties from engine builds, but I believe I've seen (been too long) 1 year warranties or possibly longer on crate engines. Those might be fore complete turn key systems though.

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

I just ordered the crate. Noticed is was on sale on Ebay. Too good a deal to pass up.

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

Nice!

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

You wont be disappointed with the crate motor ,I have 2 of them and they are great .I put a 290 HP crate motor in my wife's 72 Malibu convertible and a 260 HP one in my 72 truck ,the 260 HP one would have been just fine in the Malibu too but it sure is fun.

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

Just ordered some more parts for the new engine, including an Edelbrock Performer EPS intake, Edelbrock Performer 600cfm carb, and Summit HEI distributor. :metal:

I also got a Harbor Freight parts washer and have spent the last few days cleaning up parts. The bolts, brackets, and other parts that will be re-used all need to be de-greased and prepped for painting. It's a chore, but it will be worth it.

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

Summit parts order arrived!

Edelbrock 1406 Performer carburetor
Edelbrock black air cleaner (FREE with carb)
Summit black air cleaner (that doesn't say Edelbrock on top in huge letters)
Summit HEI distributor
Summit harmonic balancer
Delco spark plugs
Fuel line from fuel pump (have to modify for the Edelbrock carb)

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

I think you made a wise decision on the crate. They are very reliable.

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

Thanks.

But maybe not so wise on the Summit air cleaner. It feels kinda flimsy and has sharp edges. I don't care for the "Edelbrock" writing on the top of the free one, but it is a much nicer air cleaner and I think it will go on the truck.

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

It's hard to beat a brand new motor that's for sure.

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

Do you think they could have designed the air conditioning compressor to need any MORE brackets? ;)

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

I know right?
You could ditch it and get the serpentine setup at a salvage yard.

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

Im subscribed :metal:

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

All the Edelbrock parts have arrived! Great deal on the intake from Jegs for $150 with the install kit. The air cleaner was free with the carburetor purchase, and it came with a free t-shirt too!

Anyone know if I can use the stock throttle and transmission cable brackets?

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

A lot of parts cleaning has been done, though it seems like there is always more to do. I want it to look mostly stock, so I plan to use the original valve covers and paint the Edelbrock intake orange with the rest of the block. All the brackets and pulleys will be black like original.

Here's a few pics:

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

Nice C20. I like the 8 luggers. Thanks for the detailed pics. Probably a good move on the crate engine. Hard to beat the crate price unless you are doing all rebuild work yourself.

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

Thanks.

If anyone is interested, I just put up a new photo gallery with all these photos and a bunch more - http://www.jimbosprint.com/ChevyC20

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

Great gallery you have there .

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

Getting the transmission crossmember out was a battle! :b69:

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

:lol: It doesn't matter how many rivets you remove it never gets any easier, it's easily my least favorite part of working on the frame.

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

Crate is here! :metal: :chevy:

http://www.jimbosprint.com/ChevyC20/...909_165628.jpg

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

Gm 10067353

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

That crate looks very familiar ,you wont regret it ,very good motor for the money .

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

Very nice.

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

I got the intake and old valve covers installed onto the new motor today. Almost ready for the Chevrolet Orange engine paint. :chevy:

http://www.jimbosprint.com/ChevyC20/...913_124614.jpg

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

Wow! Calyx sure makes old exhaust manifolds look great! :clap:

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

At least until they get hot again ;-).

Are you running stock mannifolds, or are you gonna run headers?

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

Stock manifolds.

The Calyx is a graphite paste manifold dressing (not paint), it's not supposed to burn off and it should be easy to touch up. I guess we'll just have to wait and see how it does.

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

I used the Calyx on my wife's Malibu and my truck manifolds ,still holding up well after several years and many ,many miles .They do need a little touch up this winter .

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

Is it a spray? And how well does it work on headers? Or is it for cast only?

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

It's a paste. I used a rag and just rubbed it in like a polish. Only for cast. I think the photo above makes it look a little more shiny than it really is. I think it looks darker and more like cast metal than the photo shows too.

Eastwood.com Calyx Manifold Coating

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

Just finished the other one.

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

Excellent! That is exactly what I was hoping to hear. :two:

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

Once installed and heated unless you want to heat them in your oven they should retain their color for a long time .

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

I was just thinking that would be cool to do an entire engine block with it to make it look like polished metal.

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

Yesterday I got the front of the motor painted, and also the back of the harmonic balancer and water pump. Today I got the harmonic balancer installed (borrowed the tool from Autozone). I'm going to let this paint cure for another day or more, then install the water pump and paint the rest of the block.

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

Transmission shop called today to give me the bad news... I need a new transmission. :(

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

Here is your opportunity to upgrade to a 700R4, this is a good thing, don't buy one from them, look around on craigslist and here on the board in the classifieds, you should be able to find one that is either freshly rebuilt or with low miles for a reasonable price.

Re: jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly
 

Nice score on the new engine. :metal: