chevy69

I just heard back from ADS in Chandler. They got my original engine torn down. It's not going to need to be decked but does need basically everything else. To get everyone on the same page, this motor (and car) is all numbers matching, but sat for 20 years and is undergoing an entire frame off rebuild. I am doing it myself and farming out a few of the tasks (motor rebuild, etc...).

ADS quoted me $3300, and said while the crank is salvageable, the cylinders will all need to be bored, pistons and rods all replaced, many of the valves are shot, etc.. The quote was to rebuild it as close to original specs/materials as possible.

I want/need some advice on how I should proceed. Part of me wants to keep things original, but the other part wants to say the hell with it and mothball the original parts and go with a crate engine.

Help!!!

GDaina

Go Crate, for the price of a rebuild, you can buy a crate and still have your original that you can seal and store. Should you granade the crate, no big deal, but if that were your numbers matching, then there goes the value of the car. Another benefit or the crate, down time will be at the minimum.

The Ram

Kalway

3300 to rebuild it to stock? That's a bit outrageous, if you ask me. It costs $725 here in San Diego to have an engine rebuilt to spec and that includes replacing the crank! They even offered free pick up and delivery. It ended up costing me about $900 to have mine rebuilt because one of my heads had to be replaced.

This is where I had it rebuilt.

Honestly, a crate engine is a way better deal.

chevy69

That's what I thought but these guys are recommended by the local vette net, and were cheaper than some other places I called (from recommendations locally).

Kalway

For 3300 I'd want an engine back that put out 450 gross hp and carried a 3 year warranty for parts and labor. Which you'd get with a crate engine.

A rebuild on a 1st gen Chevy 350 shouldn't cost more than $1500 since the parts are widely available and they're so damn simple. When I sent my engine to the shop I didn't bother mentioning it was for a Corvette till after I established to them that it's just an SBC 350-1. When I mentioned Corvette they immediately thought something special might have to be done but I told them no, it's just a 350 and to rebuild it as any other 350.

Try calling up engine rebuilders and ask for prices on rebuilding an engine without mentioning corvette, might not get $3300 quotes.

fl_rider

I dont think so.

GM Performance Parts Crate:
http://www.crateenginedepot.com/stor...968-P5C53.aspx
350 Crate Engine 330HP (Deluxe) HO with Iron Vortec Heads 12496968
RETAIL: $4,917.86
YOUR PRICE: $3,497.99

The 350 HO Deluxe takes the value leading 350 HO a step further by adding carburetor, distributor, water pump, torsional damper, and 12.75in 153 tooth automatic trans flexplate.
This enhancement to the Vortec cylinder head 330 horsepower 350 HO makes it easier than ever to repower your street rod, street machine or sportsman racer.

The 600 cfm vacuum secondary Holley carburetor is ideally suited to the 350 HO. And the proven GM HEI distributor will give years of worry-free driving.
With a 9.1 to 1 compression ratio, it's pump gas friendly, and with its muscle car idle it's cruise night cool. With GMPP's lowest priced small-block crate engine there is no reason to rebuild that junk yard clunker and since it's complete from carb to pan there is no need to chase parts.

Talk to GMPartsDepot an GM Performance Parts Authorized Dealer about any additional required parts to complete your re-power project.
This engine is perfect for your 1975 or older vehicle or any off-road usage.

chevy69

I have that same motor in my '38 Dodge biz coupe

jdmick

That's basically my engine too. I didn't buy the "deluxe" model though since I would have tossed the water long pump and 8" damper and didn't need the HEI or carb.

markdtn

Keep your original for posterity, run the crate.

As a side note: Unless you spun a bearing, I don't see why they would need to replace the rods, they should be able to resize them.

2th farmer

Go with the crate, I just went thru the same decision and decided to put away my #'s matching BB for a "fun" BB. Cost a heck of a lot more but I won't worry any more if I show my azz and miss a shift.

Kalway

What I don't get is how shops are justifying $3300 for a rebuild using the original crank. It's not like they're installing it or anything, they're just rebuilding it. The place I posted charges $825 to do the same thing and completely rebuilds it, and they're based in Southern California (which usually costs a lot more for labor!) A GM Goodwrench crate engine is only $1375 with a 3 year/50,000 mile warranty.

PEPTO77

I am torn with a similar decision. 1972 LT-1 with original mill and 85k miles on the clock. Do I pull it and replace with the longblock ZZ4 or keep riding on the mouse thats in there, which coincidently still runs great.

ESU

In NY they wanted 1350 to rebuild my motor back to "spec". For $1750 I bought a brand new GM crate 290hp delivered to the door, 3 yr 50k warranty. Put the original in the shed for the next guy and go crate.
ESU