How long will a 350 go?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
How long will a 350 go?
Hello Everybody,
My 81 just turned over 100,000 miles! It has been in the family since 46000 miles over 17 years ago. We changed the oil regularly and I just bought it from my father. I changed the spark plugs and there was no oil fouling. I then pulled the oil pan off of it to fix the rear main seal not that long ago to stop a drip (It still drips, even with the new seal.) when I pulled the cap off, last bearing was a worn, I replaced it(stamped std), and the front main bearing (which was not nearly as worn), conceeding that it was just to much to do on a weekend. That was about a 1500 miles ago. My question is how much time do I have with this engine. I put lucas in it on the last oil change and will continue to do so, It seems to have really good compression, Is their anything I can do to prolong the life of such an engine.
Thanks for the advice
Zach
My 81 just turned over 100,000 miles! It has been in the family since 46000 miles over 17 years ago. We changed the oil regularly and I just bought it from my father. I changed the spark plugs and there was no oil fouling. I then pulled the oil pan off of it to fix the rear main seal not that long ago to stop a drip (It still drips, even with the new seal.) when I pulled the cap off, last bearing was a worn, I replaced it(stamped std), and the front main bearing (which was not nearly as worn), conceeding that it was just to much to do on a weekend. That was about a 1500 miles ago. My question is how much time do I have with this engine. I put lucas in it on the last oil change and will continue to do so, It seems to have really good compression, Is their anything I can do to prolong the life of such an engine.
Thanks for the advice
Zach
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
My brother has a chevy truck with 285,000 miles on it. 350 engine, original engine, trans and rear end. Still gets him to work each day and uses 1/2 quart of oil between changes. I would have probably changed all the main and rod bearings as well as the oil pump when the pan was off. Regular oil changes, keeping it well tuned and not putting the pedal to the metal are the best things to help it live a long life.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,783
Likes: 2
From: Engineers do it better.
I saw a 350 Vette with 785,000 km (that's 490 miles) on a Vette long time ago when I was looking for my first vette. I called the owner to make sure it wasn't a typo. The guy said he drove his '76 daily since he bought it new in 76. It was cheap, but I decide to pass 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
I freshened up my 350 at around 93K miles. After measuring everything all the critical dimensions were still within factory tolerances.All I ended up doing was installing new bearings and rings for the most part. Given this, after another 40~50K miles I could probably pull the engine, have it rebored, turn down the crank and go another 150K miles. I probably won't be around to see it but its a nice thought.
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 2
From: North Royaton Ohio
Mine had 180,000 on it and it ran great till I murdered it with a run against a BMW M5 one night. As long as you don't run it at 6300 rpm for a long time like I did and just maintain it, it should be good to you for a lot longer than you're at now.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,380
Likes: 6,390
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
I have 300,000 on my 350 Vette right now. The engine, tranny and rear are all original and have never been out, and no major work has ever been done. I'm going for a half million right now...
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,128
Likes: 4
From: Upland Ca
I have 306K miles on my DD 1992 K1500. Never even had the valve covers off. Changed oil & filter every 3K miles. Like Lars, I'm going to keep going to and see if I can get 500K.
Last edited by Lee H; Oct 12, 2007 at 10:37 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 2
From: San diego ca
my L-82 wiped the original cam lobe at 100k, i was surprised to find though that there is no perceptable ridge at the tops of teh cylinders and the main bearing clearances are well within spec.. and the bearings looked great.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 2
From: Orange Ct
Miles on the motor are not what they were 20 or more years ago. Over drive, lead free gas and fuel injection has changed the game. I think there should be a change to hours run or revs turned to determine engine wear. I have heard about 3000 hours to be time to re-ring and valve job on a performance motor.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
I have 134,000 on my 78 L-82...(owned it since 1979)..at 95,000 I replaced intake gasket due to oil fouling no. 8 plug.....now I'm planning on replacing valve seals as get occassional smoke at cold start only...otherwise,I estimate maybe 180,000 or so before rebuild...not sure though...
Castrol 10/30W...oil filter change every 3,000 miles...once a year,I use one quart Rislone to flush engine (mixed with oil.)...and mist water in carb at 1500-2000 rpm to control carbon....
Dropped pan and inspected mains about a year ago,and everything looked good.....
Rich
Castrol 10/30W...oil filter change every 3,000 miles...once a year,I use one quart Rislone to flush engine (mixed with oil.)...and mist water in carb at 1500-2000 rpm to control carbon....
Dropped pan and inspected mains about a year ago,and everything looked good.....
Rich
Last edited by rihwoods; Oct 12, 2007 at 01:24 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 1
From: AL
with 3:73 and 3:55 gears, no overdrive, the most i can seem to get is about 120,000 - 130,000 before the rings and valve guides are worn causing smoke. there is no way any of the original timing chains would have made it that far in the engines the way i've driven them. i had one start knocking (slapping the cover) at 70,000 . . .
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,380
Likes: 6,390
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
WOW! That is great, so I am looking at a timing chain sometime in the near future, but other than that I'm looking at a real long time. I'm not to hard on it, I have a camaro ls1 so I don't ever feel the need to push my vette. It is nice to know that I can try and fix it up a little more without thinking the engine is going to explode on me. Thanks for the inpute guys.
Zach
Zach
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Like Lars,engine,tranny,rear end all original...and I'm running 3.70's in rear...
Rich
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 1
From: AL
WOW! That is great, so I am looking at a timing chain sometime in the near future, but other than that I'm looking at a real long time. I'm not to hard on it, I have a camaro ls1 so I don't ever feel the need to push my vette. It is nice to know that I can try and fix it up a little more without thinking the engine is going to explode on me. Thanks for the inpute guys.
Zach
Zach
