350 engines for '79
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Pittsburgh PA
350 engines for '79
My brother-in-law blew up the engine in my '79 about 4 years ago when I lived overseas. The engine was literally blown to peices so i junked pretty much everything. (I've since traded in the wife and brother-in-law)
I put the car in storage for a few years and recently when i had to move someone where else for storage, I got the "bug" again.
A friend of mine offered me a 350 from an old truck and there seems to be lots of used 350s around. Which brings me to my question:
Are all the 350s the same size, will they fit in the vette? Or is there a special size or shape 350 that fits the vette?
I don't plan to have a daily driver but when my Crown Vic is in the shop or something I'd like to be able to drive the thing around without having to stop at the gas station everyday. 300HP seems like a reasonable number but I really dont have anything to compare 300hp to.
I've looked at places like summit racing for 350 engines. Anyone know of a more reasonable prices place ?
:hat
[Modified by cswartzwelder, 10:57 AM 3/17/2002]
I put the car in storage for a few years and recently when i had to move someone where else for storage, I got the "bug" again.
A friend of mine offered me a 350 from an old truck and there seems to be lots of used 350s around. Which brings me to my question:
Are all the 350s the same size, will they fit in the vette? Or is there a special size or shape 350 that fits the vette?
I don't plan to have a daily driver but when my Crown Vic is in the shop or something I'd like to be able to drive the thing around without having to stop at the gas station everyday. 300HP seems like a reasonable number but I really dont have anything to compare 300hp to.
I've looked at places like summit racing for 350 engines. Anyone know of a more reasonable prices place ?
:hat
[Modified by cswartzwelder, 10:57 AM 3/17/2002]
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Re: 350 engines for '79 (cswartzwelder)
If it is a 350 truck engine, it should drop right in. There are differences as far as the eternals (post 87 engines probably have roller cams) and the post 87's also have a single piece rear seal, and different adapter for the flexiplate or flywheel.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Lake Hughes CA
Re: 350 engines for '79 (cswartzwelder)
Most any small block Chevy engine will bolt right into your vette (the exceptions are 265's and a few real early 283's).
What to get depends on how fast you want to go and how much you want to spend.
At the low end, there are junk-yards. Moving up to around $1400 you can get a complete BRAND NEW G.M. long block to bolt in using a few of your old parts (intake, carb, distributor and starter). This would be the G.M. Goodwrench engine. If you are going to pay someone to do it for you, this is the least I would go as your install charges could easily be a third of this and I do not think it would be worthwhile.
From here you could go with either factory performance engines or countless aftermarket ones.
I am not sure how bad the smog laws are where you are located (they vary by state), but a 396/427 or 454 just bolts in using factory parts.
Good luck, and keep reading here for information and help
Gerry
What to get depends on how fast you want to go and how much you want to spend.
At the low end, there are junk-yards. Moving up to around $1400 you can get a complete BRAND NEW G.M. long block to bolt in using a few of your old parts (intake, carb, distributor and starter). This would be the G.M. Goodwrench engine. If you are going to pay someone to do it for you, this is the least I would go as your install charges could easily be a third of this and I do not think it would be worthwhile.
From here you could go with either factory performance engines or countless aftermarket ones.
I am not sure how bad the smog laws are where you are located (they vary by state), but a 396/427 or 454 just bolts in using factory parts.
Good luck, and keep reading here for information and help
Gerry
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Joined: Jan 2000
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From: San Jose CA
Re: 350 engines for '79 (cswartzwelder)
Not that I'm not biased or anything, but I think it would be more worthwhile to build up a so called "low-end" junkyard motor than to buy a GM GW350. Unless you *really* plan on just "driving" the car, the GW350 is not worth it in my opinion. Some people have different priorities, but if you plan on having fun with your car, then the GW350 just won't cut it...
...also, it has a number of issues with fit and finish, so if you're willing to tolerate leaky valve covers(at the minimum), you'll be fine. I've heard many many bad stories about worse leaks though. On the other side, it has a strong case(4-bolt mains) and is almost identical in spec to the L-48, and as far as I can tell, feels very much the same.
-Steve
...also, it has a number of issues with fit and finish, so if you're willing to tolerate leaky valve covers(at the minimum), you'll be fine. I've heard many many bad stories about worse leaks though. On the other side, it has a strong case(4-bolt mains) and is almost identical in spec to the L-48, and as far as I can tell, feels very much the same.
-Steve
