What replacement engine can I use?
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Joined: Jul 2011
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From: High Desert SoCal
What replacement engine can I use?
Hi all,
I picked up an 85 4+3 (had to part with the Z06 to pay bills) and it seems to have what I believe a spun rod bearing....
rather than rebuild, I just want to find a drop in motor that I can use... I'm in calif so I have the smog crap to deal with.... I believe all the TPI stuff is still good, the motor runs but makes a knock (sounds like a bolt bouncing around the lifter valley....
so.... what year(s) 350's can I use to just bolt in and have my accessories bolt on? which cars have that motor? I don;t have much funding so I have to stay super cheap.... I thought about a crate 350 from Jegs but even that 1500 is hard to come by...
any help or suggestions in the way of a replacement is helpful
Who makes a good quality rebuild kit at a reasonable price/?
thanks
I picked up an 85 4+3 (had to part with the Z06 to pay bills) and it seems to have what I believe a spun rod bearing....
rather than rebuild, I just want to find a drop in motor that I can use... I'm in calif so I have the smog crap to deal with.... I believe all the TPI stuff is still good, the motor runs but makes a knock (sounds like a bolt bouncing around the lifter valley....
so.... what year(s) 350's can I use to just bolt in and have my accessories bolt on? which cars have that motor? I don;t have much funding so I have to stay super cheap.... I thought about a crate 350 from Jegs but even that 1500 is hard to come by...
any help or suggestions in the way of a replacement is helpful
Who makes a good quality rebuild kit at a reasonable price/?
thanks
Last edited by Teqsand; Feb 23, 2015 at 09:46 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2015
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From: Wichita KS
If you're in Cali, you can pick up a running engine at a pull a part for dirt cheap, sometimes $2-300. Depends on if you the stuff to pull one and transport it.
Scoggins-dickey has good prices on Mr Goodwrench crate motors.
Scoggins-dickey has good prices on Mr Goodwrench crate motors.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,376
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From: Cherokee National Forest TN
If your handy: Exchange reground crank with bearings 200.00, new con rod, timing gear set, oil pump, rings, gasket set, farm out the heads for a valve job. If flat tappet cam a stock unit with new lifters is cheap. maybe 800.00 total = basically a fresh engine for a driver.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Melting Slicks
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Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: High Desert SoCal
Safety Car
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From: Mission Viejo CA
Check out Larry's Performance Shop in Montebello, Ph: 323-722-8865. They built my engine exactly to my specifications several years ago, and I'm very happy with it. Their price was very reasonable.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Database Error Indiana
Just needs to be an old school small block. Then get the flywheel to match the crank. Around here the old 350s are getting cheap.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: folsom california
Also oil pan and matching gasket; can you find a 7 inch pan for a two piece rear seal engine? sure 84 and 85 vettes had them, if you can find one in a junkyard at junkyard prices; if not, then nos or aftermarket either of which is going to be pricey
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2011
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From: High Desert SoCal
Ok so basically any pre 85 small block will bolt up..... my oil pan won't and flywheel won't work on them???
I'm willing to use my top end if it will plug and play a later block also,,,,
I'm willing to use my top end if it will plug and play a later block also,,,,
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Park City Utah
Any '85 and older 350, your oil pan and flywheel will bolt on and work fine. I don't know why it was suggested that you need to find an oil pan. (?)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: folsom california
obviously, if he has an 85 with a two piece rear seal engine (maybe the L98 confused me) then any 85 or earlier two piece rear seal engine will work with the existing flywheel and pan. sorry for the confusion
Last edited by mtwoolford; Feb 25, 2015 at 01:07 AM.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 621
Likes: 37
From: Texas
just a plain goodwrench motor is bolt in for '85 aside from swapping some parts from one motor to the other. pan, balancer ect,
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/na...FZcdgQod_XoAZA
the heads are even the same 624 casting that come on an '85 only difference is the compression is a little lower because the new crate has dish pistons.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/na...FZcdgQod_XoAZA
the heads are even the same 624 casting that come on an '85 only difference is the compression is a little lower because the new crate has dish pistons.
Team Owner
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From: Athens AL
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Easiest drop-in would be a ZZ4 crate engine, but some things wouldn't swap over directly 1:1. I would go that route myself if I didn't want serious modifications done to it.
There are various crate other engines from GMPP that you can find in Summit or Jegs or even directly, and their specifics are close enough that a chip tune wouldn't be an absolute necessity (though no matter what you do, you do need to have it done eventually).
You can use a 1 piece seal roller cam engine, so you can use any Gen 1 SBC from the 50s until 1991, but what you have now is a 2 piece hydraulic flat tappet engine. 85 has some tuning quirks and the EGR setup is a little different than 86+ but its nothing that should scare you away. You can swap over your current intake if you so choose.
There are various crate other engines from GMPP that you can find in Summit or Jegs or even directly, and their specifics are close enough that a chip tune wouldn't be an absolute necessity (though no matter what you do, you do need to have it done eventually).
You can use a 1 piece seal roller cam engine, so you can use any Gen 1 SBC from the 50s until 1991, but what you have now is a 2 piece hydraulic flat tappet engine. 85 has some tuning quirks and the EGR setup is a little different than 86+ but its nothing that should scare you away. You can swap over your current intake if you so choose.