Has anybody heard anything about National Cylinder Head Exchange in Orlando, FL?
Rebuilt stock 350 for my 86 Installed $3k.. 3yr 36k mile warranty.
I am looking for crate motor in the Central Fl area that will also install it without breaking the bank. Nothing radical just a stock motor that will last. I would'nt mind a 383 as long as the price between the 2 is close.

 

They have a good rep, I know people who have used them. Was thinking of them when I lived in o-town, how much just for the exchange?

You could do it yourself in a weekend easily, all you would need is to rent a engine hoist and have a couple of jack stands, floor jack and basic tools.

But 3k installed is a good price, is it a rebuilt 350 or new block?
If it is rebuilt, did they reslieve it or just hone?
If just honed, I would wonder about the longeviety of the block.

If it was me, I would ask for it to be bored to a 355, aka .030 over.
Then you don't have to worry about piston rings sealing on a honed block.

There is another place downtown that rebuilds engines, cannot think of the name and also check with Bo-laws(think that is how you spell the name), they were big chevy shop.

Call H&H or Rogers and ask them who they recommend, also Corvette doctor in Sanford.

 

$1350 for the exchange bored .030..... Bo Laws aka blp are proud of their prices $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. Corvette Dr is no longer in Sanford, I found a website but no contact info or address.

 

They still are in Sanford, you have to look in the phone book.
$1350 + 50 and DIY or $3k installed. Heck give me 600 and I will do it in a day and you will still save 900.

 

You going to R&R a motor in a C4 in a day ir two days?

Thats a heck of a lot of work.

 

I couldn't do it. (But I'm an old fart)

 

Will you guys read EVERYTHING before replying!!!!

He is getting a REBUILT engine on exchange and I would take out the old and install the new.

 

Oh I read it alright. you must be one hell of a wrench to do that in a day and get it running.

 

Are you kidding, I have pulled my sons 93 in 4.5 hrs. It is not that hard if you leave the tranny on.

 

Try a LT1 Camaro swap

 

Guys name is John. He built me a couple of long block 350's for my boat a couple of years back.He certainly knows what he's talking about and well worth a visit to see the operation.Found a couple of 4-bolt blocks for me and built them to my specs and very reasonable.You get a credit for any of your old parts that are reusable as well. Think I payed $1750 each and that included stainless valves and a hot cam.
Give him a call,he will work with you.

 

Thanks I work in O town as well I will stop in and see the new shop they are in the final stages of moving to a new facility, I'll ask for John

 

Man, $3k on one hand sounds high...but then again the lazy side of me says that $3k "installed" is not half bad.....that number has been stuck in my head since I read this thread.

But my 14 year old would kill me if I didn't take the motor apart in front of him...or let him take it apart.

 

Have you actually done this in a weekend? Alone?

 

Did you leave the hood on when you pulled the engine and tranny?

 

Hood came off, a friend helped me with that. Damn things are heavy, do not remember all the details.
But, if you do a search, there is a guy who details how to do it quickly and efficiently.
Will tell you before I started, I took several pics of engine bay after I used masking tape to tape and number all harness connections and sensors.
I put a number on all taped items, i.e. 1 on IAC connector and 1 on IAC and had my friend right them down, it made reinstalling a snap. Hardest part was getting the hood realigned.
I started about 7a and had the tranny to the shop by 3p, putting it in took longer, but only about an hour or two.

 

Number 1 thing I've heard you should avoid is taking off the hood. I've also heard pulling an LT1 is quicker than pulling a L98 because of all the hoses and brackets they are routed through. I don't know though, I've never pulled an LT1.

 

I can pull my L98 in 4 hours. Pull engine alone from the side. AIR pump is gone along with all the piping. That helps. There is a "Corvette Doctor in Melbourne on Wickem Rd. No idea if they are associated with the Sanford operation.

 

i would agree an lt1 is light years faster then a l98 cause you would have to disassemble the tpi in order to remove the harness from the engine.

 

No you don't.If you remove the two nuts each side holding the harness and pop off the plugs on the injectors and the senders at the front the whole thing lifts out of there.
I found the quickest way to pull an engine is to leave the tranny in.No need to remove the radiator or hood. There is one bolt located at the top left of the bell housing that is a pig to get at.What I did was to take a hole cutter and make an access hole from the inside of the car under the brake pedal and stuck a grommet in there.Now if it needs to come out again it's going to be a lot easier.