Goodwrench crate motor
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 268
Likes: 13
From: Palmdale Ca
Goodwrench crate motor
Well my motor quit Friday night, puff of light gray smoke and stopped running. A little spot (50 cent piece) of water/oil mixture underneath. This motor (L-48) has either 90, 190, 290 thousand miles on it, any how a lot. I've had the car since March of 02 and drove it almost every day. I was thinking I'd turn it into the local machine shop to have it rebuilt for $1150. But I called the local Chevy dealer here in Palmdale and he sells the "Goodwrench" motor for $1450. Is this the LM-1 motor? I like the idea of a GM built motor. The car is a bone stock daily driver. I don't care about racing it, the performance was fine with me before it quit running. What would you guys do? I'm leaning towards the crate motor. Are you guys that have the LM-1 motor happy with it? Is it an easy swap? Or will I need different brackets and such? Also does it look the same? That sounds silly but in researching the archives it was mentioned that some of the crate motors have studs sticking up through the center of the valve covers. Anybody got a pic of a LM-1 installed? Thanks.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 2
From: Castle Hills Texas
Re: Goodwrench crate motor (Augie 79)
Augie,
See if this link helps, there is a pic with the description. They also have it cheaper than what you were quoted.
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...umber=10067353
CVT4ME
[Modified by CVT4ME, 1:24 PM 7/21/2003]
See if this link helps, there is a pic with the description. They also have it cheaper than what you were quoted.
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...umber=10067353
CVT4ME
[Modified by CVT4ME, 1:24 PM 7/21/2003]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '03,'11
Re: Goodwrench crate motor (Augie 79)
the goodwrench is pretty close to what you have in the car probably a little less compresion and cam.
1150 for a rebuild aint bad if you can hold them to that price. I guess it depends on how much head work your getting for that price.
Again the goodwrench motor is dependable but slow. You might want to consider the HO engine which has a bigger cam and the vortec heads.
1150 for a rebuild aint bad if you can hold them to that price. I guess it depends on how much head work your getting for that price.
Again the goodwrench motor is dependable but slow. You might want to consider the HO engine which has a bigger cam and the vortec heads.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 140
Likes: 1
From: east hampton ct
Re: Goodwrench crate motor (Augie 79)
I put one of these engines in my 72 blazer three years ago. The price is tough to beat however this is not a performance motor. Its got low compression with not much of a cam. I've put about 30K of towing miles on mine and its been flawless. The two piece rear main crate motors do not use the center bolt valve covers. Other than being painted black it looks just like your L48.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 268
Likes: 13
From: Palmdale Ca
Re: Goodwrench crate motor (28buick)
Thanks for the quick replies, I'll probably go with the crate (LM-1) motor. I'll paint her blue though. CVT4ME that link was great for seeing all the GM crate motor options, pics too. The HO motor is $4000 bucks more then the LM-1! Not worth it to this cruiser.
[Modified by Augie 79, 7:31 PM 7/21/2003]
[Modified by Augie 79, 7:31 PM 7/21/2003]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 10
From: New Paltz, New York USA
Re: Goodwrench crate motor (Augie 79)
Augie 79,
Try http://WWW.paceparts.com they have a good selection of crate motors. They have the Universal 350 crate motor. Its a brand new long block used to cover GM applications from '1970-1985. Their last catalog had this crate motor for $1,200.
If you want, e-mail me at rcooper1hvc.rr.com and I will send you all the specs on this motor. I'm going to get this motor as soon as I have enough money saved. Good luck. :seeya
Try http://WWW.paceparts.com they have a good selection of crate motors. They have the Universal 350 crate motor. Its a brand new long block used to cover GM applications from '1970-1985. Their last catalog had this crate motor for $1,200.
If you want, e-mail me at rcooper1hvc.rr.com and I will send you all the specs on this motor. I'm going to get this motor as soon as I have enough money saved. Good luck. :seeya
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 0
From: Ajax Ontario
Re: Goodwrench crate motor (Augie 79)
Only other factor to consider is originality meaning is it important to you to keep the car numbers matching. If yes, your rebuild quote looks real cheap, too cheap, to be honest. But then it is the original engine and there are no issues about parts that don't fit etc etc...
However, a GM engine with a factory warranty is enticing. Not sure though if the basic Goodwrench is up to the old L48 in terms of performance. It may well be less than you bargained for. I note you aren't concerned about improving performance, but you probably don't want to go backwards either.
However, a GM engine with a factory warranty is enticing. Not sure though if the basic Goodwrench is up to the old L48 in terms of performance. It may well be less than you bargained for. I note you aren't concerned about improving performance, but you probably don't want to go backwards either.
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Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Goodwrench crate motor (68shark)
My current eng started out as a LM1 but as soon as I got it I put a bigger Summit cam in it, 204/214 .420/.442, and it was great for cruisin' and laying down rubber. I think if I where to buy it just to run it I would put the next size up cam 214/224 .442/.465. The summit cam is only $80 with lifters, part number SUM-K1103 for the 214/224 and SUM-K1102 for the 204/214. I have since put my alum heads, roller cam 222/230 .540/.560 and headers on it. I have ran it up to 6500 rpm's and so far it has taken all the abuse I have dished out. Much more fun than the 200 miles I got out of my $3,000 383 short block. :mad
