Rebuilt or crate?
 

I know this question has been asked plenty, and if there is a thread to help me, please let me know.
I have a 72 chevy 4wd short stepper. Original 350/350. Finally have some real money to throw at it, and a good portion will go to engine and trans.
So the question is, rebuild the current 350, and if so, keep the old qjet? If I did this, I'd have to change it up and add some power later.
Or, get a new crate 350 and be done? Have Anouilh power to turn the tires and not have to worry about a 40 y/o block. Although, can the old th350 handle this?
Any experience is helpful! Thanks!

Re: Rebuilt or crate?
 

What are your goals and budget for your truck? Power, MPG, gear ratio, tire size.

Re: Rebuilt or crate?
 

I don't know if the warranty is still the same but the General used to have 3years 36k on their crates, at any GM dealer in the country although that number has shrunken by a ton in the last five years. Also you can step up from a step or two above stock with them and they can make crazy type power without much effort.

Re: Rebuilt or crate?
 

Crate is way cheaper than rebuilding, I sent you a p.m. on a crate motor

Re: Rebuilt or crate?
 

This was $1200, not sure if they still have any but it seems like a good deal

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=606983

Re: Rebuilt or crate?
 

Nope, sale ended on the 16th :( They're back to $1,500.

I got mine though!

If a crate is how you think you'll want to go... add this seller/ad to your ebay profile. Free shipping, to your DOOR!, and no taxes ;) Jegs almost always has better deals on their ebay site than store (eastwood too!) Check the ad about once a week. At least once a month or so they drop the price, usually somewhere between $1,299 and 1,399. $1,206.99 was the cheapest I'd ever seen 'em and had to jump on it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/400444180233...84.m1423.l2649

Re: Rebuilt or crate?
 

i'm regretting not jumping in on one of them.....just for a spare that was a good deal.

i had bought a crate from either advance or zone back around 96-97 i paid around 8 bills for it with a core.
the jeg's deal is the cheapest i saw since that time.

Re: Rebuilt or crate?
 

I did the same around 2002, I think I also paid around $800 after the core from advance. This is the motor I'm replacing. I think the same crate motor I just bought was around $1,450 even back then. I haven't run a compression test, but after 35,000 miles cylinder 3 is fouling the plug regularly and smokes a bit from that side (I run duals without a cross over). It runs like crap for the first few minutes then good after that (probably after all the oil blows/burns out of the cylinder). I consider it a lesson learned. I probably ruined that motor :lol: I learned how to install parts, HEI, tune a carb, etc on that motor. I over revved it a couple times. Overheated it a few times. Harmonic balancer went (vibrated like crazy) but still had to drive it until I had time to fix it, which then caused the seal to go, then it blew oil everywhere :lol: I figure I got my money's worth out of it. I'm giving it to a friend that has stored my fleet bed for the past few years for me as payment. He'll probably rebuild it.

Re: Rebuilt or crate?
 

thats funny cause the one i had would have one crummy plug when they were changed. an it would foul if i over choked it but it always cleared once it got warm. i beat the snot outa that engine. then sold that and my 93 yamma warrior to fund the 355 in my camaro.

Re: Rebuilt or crate?
 

A lot depends on things like intended use,overall approach to the truck. If you aren't going to be racking up many miles,I think it's cool to rebuild what came in it,just because. I need to do something with my '72 motor. Just because,I want a 383 and decided to use the original 350 in it because everything will stay original except what's inside. The vibe of the truck is "what GM coulda done"...but didn't,a '72 K3500.

Re: Rebuilt or crate?
 

It comes down to a couple of factors.If you can do assembly yourself then a rebuild may be OK.If you can'tyou will probably have asmuch in a rebuild as a crate.Depending on the rebuild,you may or may not get a warranty.If you're looking to up the power a littleand get good driveability then either should do it.Check with the locl cruise night guys and find out what machine shops in your area are good and get some estimates.I've seen machine work cost $800 and after parts you may be on price with a crate over the rebuild.

Re: Rebuilt or crate?
 

You could always go LS. Junkyard 5.3, carb, MSD controller, and your stock TH350 bolts right up with a basic flexplate adapter. I just bought a solid complete LM7 5.3 for $550.

Re: Rebuilt or crate?
 

rebuild you know whats in it and how it was put back together stays matching.

crate motor you get someone elses core and generic assembly non matching

if you can't do it yourself let your check book decide ?

Re: Rebuilt or crate?
 

No. GM crate engines are brand new motors.

Re: Rebuilt or crate?
 

i was refering to the mention of advance and jegs

Re: Rebuilt or crate?
 

I bought my GM crate engine from Jegs.

Re: Rebuilt or crate?
 

IMO, if the motor is original it would be a travesty to pull it and put a (Mex built) crate motor in the truck. For the love of all things Chevy please rebuild the original motor.

BTW, that 40 YO seasoned block is WAY WAY better than a new block.

cheers
JohnG

Re: Rebuilt or crate?
 

The term "crate engine" is misused these days. Crate engine means 100% new assembled engine. Nothing wrong with "seasoned" blocks,cranks,etc. but that's rebuilt and what I'd call a "turnkey engine". Jegs sells GM Performance Parts "crate engines" as well as Blueprint "turnkey engines"

Re: Rebuilt or crate?
 

As far as that goes, about 10k budget-wise. I plan on a 4 inch lift, with some 33s under her. I know that the rebuilt will be lacking in power. (180?) but I think that's the route for me, keep it original. My granddaddy would roll over in his grave if a mexi built Motor was out it in. No offense to anyone. If I did get a crate motor, i don't know what I'd do with the original? I couldn't bring myself to scrap it. Dow the road I may throw in a bigger cam and bigger heads, bump things up. Well see I reckon. Thanks for the input fellas

Re: Rebuilt or crate?
 

You shouldn't have too much problem getting a fairly honest 300hp out of rebuilding your original sbc.
Just to need to choose a reasonable cam and heads. Then a few considered bolt-ons.....nothing expensive and there are lots or parts available for the upgrade.
Keep us posted on your progress.
Coley:chevy:

Re: Rebuilt or crate?
 

I think you are right. My biggest concer after that would be the transmission. I'm going to get it rebuilt, but I don't know how much a rebuilt th350 would handle

Re: Rebuilt or crate?
 

If you like original, or want to have the experience of doing it, then build yours. In dollars and cents you will be hard pressed to do it cheaper than you can buy a new crate one. Last SB engine I built (327 from '68 Camaro-bone stock) was around $1500 in parts and machine work and that was in about 2004. Now it is as good as it was new but it isn't cheap to do it right. Price the machine shop work for heads (guides, valves, springs, hardened seats, etc.- which is probably the biggest chunk), bore block, turn crank, check block, clean parts, re-size rods, press pistons, magnaflux-the whole deal-and I'll bet it is at least $1000. The kit for all the parts and gaskets and a cam kit can easily be another $500+. To me it depends on if you want to get it done quick and easy for the least $$ (crate in a weekend) or if you want to do it yourself and have the experience (build it over a month or so).

Re: Rebuilt or crate?
 

I can rebuild a 350 for less than a crate engine. These trucks came with plenty enough horsepower to do whatever you need to do. There was nothing inadequate about these trucks and still isn't The trucks have always been great and that hasn't changed...people have changed. A stock truck 350 could have as much as 250 hp and that's a healthy dose of power. Without going crazy (or great expense) you can build a 300 hp 350.
The TH350 is also an awesome transmission. They can go forever w/o a rebuild and they can take a whole heap of HP. We see them behind angry big blocks in drag cars.

Re: Rebuilt or crate?
 

Maybe with a rebuild, but when they do go they grenade. Eventually the front section will disintegrate if you really put the power to it. I'm not saying a TH350 is a bad trans because it is not, but it is not as strong as a TH400 and they do break.

Re: Rebuilt or crate?
 

The TH400 is a great transmission. But when stuck behind a stockish SBC, it will also rob you of about 40hp. The ol' TH350 is a great tranny, designed for the TQ curve of SBC's, and will give long life... even when you thrash on them.

I can rebuild a stock to mild 350 engine for under what I would have to pay for a crate engine. But that's me.

Also... this "numbers matching" stuff only really matters if we're talking 'vettes, Camaro's and specialty Chevelles (Like an original LS6) These trucks and the engines were a dime a dozen...

Gary