Re: Great deal on new crate engine
 

I run one of these in my 70 GMC and they are a great motor for the price. I got my engine six years ago for $1000 at jobber price, so their current price is a great deal.

There is an entire book on upgrades to these crate engines, I read it 20 times through while on my first tour, but loaned the book out and never got it back. I'll try and figure out the title, but they bumped the hp way up with a cam and vortec heads.

Re: Great deal on new crate engine
 

Amazon.com: Small-Block Chevy Engine Buildups...

Small-Block Chevy Engine Buildups

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...SH20_OU01_.jpg


It has seven different stages of build on this crate engine.

Re: Great deal on new crate engine
 

Killer deal, I swapped an old 350 into my spare truck last year that I picked up for $200. No idea how many miles or the actual condition of the motor though, so this will make a great backup...or it will be a garage decoration for a long time.

Thanks for the headsup! Just ordered, feels good.

Re: Great deal on new crate engine
 

Speaking of books... I bought this one when I was replacing all the seals on my 289, it was invaluable, does anyone know of a great assembly book for a 350? I have a haynes, but it can be lacking.

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/s...fYYJI&usqp=CAY

Re: Great deal on new crate engine
 

I used this one when I dived into my project. The DVD alone is worth the price, but using this book I was able to roll up my sleeves and do my first engine removal and installation. I also was able to install the intake manifold, carb, accessories and get it running. Awesome book.

http://www.cartechbooks.com/media/ca...image_3015.jpg

Re: Great deal on new crate engine
 

I have how to rebuild your small block Chevy by David Vizard and it is great

Re: Great deal on new crate engine
 

When does the warranty start on these crates:

Once you buy it? Or once you install it?

Re: Great deal on new crate engine
 

This is a good question.......

Who has actually initiated a warranty on a GM crate, what does it take, how is the mileage accounted for? I can't believe GM would just take someone's word of mileage on a failure. How do you or GM prove bad cam VS operator error on break in? Two years down the road how do you or GM prove bad parts or lack of maintenance, or abuse for a failure? I've heard but have not seen, fine print limits what cars the warranty applies to. I know these crates are pretty much bullet proof and I have not heard of any failures but I would like hear about any direct experience.

Re: Great deal on new crate engine
 

Yeah, I would buy one today, but do not plan on install until about June, so I dont want to lose 6/7 months of the warranty as it sits in my garage haha.

Re: Great deal on new crate engine
 

Another question...

Although I HP is not my concern...how much HP could be added through bolt ons, top end, exhaust, etc?

If this could be built to the 290 HP range, that would be pretty exciting.

And RedNeck, hope you dont mind that this has turned into a massive forum about this engine haha. Thanks for the post!

Re: Great deal on new crate engine
 

Only difference between the 290 hp crate and this is the cam.

Change heads with it and you can pretty easily see 320hp or so.

Re: Great deal on new crate engine
 

If I bought this, I wouldnt change out heads or cams to void the warranty. That warranty is the primary reason I would buy it.

I was thinking carb, intake, manifolds, exhaust options, etc.

Re: Great deal on new crate engine
 

Just read through some of the fine print on the GM warranty and it says

"Warranty coverage is based on months/mileage, whichever comes first, and begins on the date of installation by an authorized GM dealer or by a qualified Independent Service Center (ISC). For all other over-the-counter sales, warranty begins on date of retail sale."

Not sure what the other over-the-counter sales includes, but looks like the warranty starts, once the engine is installed.

Re: Great deal on new crate engine
 

I would say "over the counter" would be any individual that orders one, has it shipped to a residence, and installs it themselves.

For date of installation warranty an authorized GM dealer or by a qualified Independent Service Center (ISC) would have to purchase the engine and install it for you.

LockDoc

Re: Great deal on new crate engine
 

Interesting, so if I wasnt going to install it until next summer, might be worth waiting? But man, $300 cheaper then normal, plus free shipping, and over eBay is a hard deal to beat, no matter what the time.

Re: Great deal on new crate engine
 

Thanks, I just bought it :D

Re: Great deal on new crate engine
 

No problem on the thread jack. I talked with a guy at Northern Tool this morning and he said he planned on ordering one today as well for his 88 K10 project :lol:

From what I understand, to get the full 12yr 36K warranty you have to put it in a vehicle that originally had a tree fiddy in it. That means for us 67/68 guys we get screwed and only get the 1 year 12 month warranty because 350's weren't installed in trucks until '69. However, I guess I could argue I pulled a 350 out and am replacing it... I don't think it matters. As long as it doesn't blow in the first couple months, I'll probably only put 10K on it before the 3 years would be up anyway. I used to put 5 to 6K/yr on the truck, but now that I have the 65 Mustang, they split the mileage now.

Also, the 260 horsepower is an assumed power.

From Jegs:

http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet+Perf...67353/10002/-1

So you need to start off with a 4 barrel and headers just to get the 260 hp rating. So, not much to be gained with anything else. Mine will have stock rams horns and an edelbrock performer intake and carb I've been saving.

Re: Great deal on new crate engine
 

Yeah...thats a great deal on a good motor and I fully agree you couldn't build one for that kind of pricing!...let alone get a 3 year warranty!
It will be interesting to see if they start up a discount for the higher hp offerings (ie: 290hp, etc)....maybe if they realize the massive spike in sales?
To my understanding that motor is the equivalent in its spec (cam/pistons/compression/etc) to the stock 350's that came in these trucks in '71/72.
That gives them to my understanding the 260hp gross/195hp net rating. I believe....similar to the way they used to rate hp and engines coming out of the 60's and then of course the change in 1971 to Net hp.
That said, that is still a great power plant for these trucks and I fully agree that it will more than provide some nice torquey low end power and grunt.
The addition of a good intake (performer), carb, ignition and exhaust will wake it up nicely for some great DD use.
My two bits and Great choice!!
Coley

Re: Great deal on new crate engine
 

Didnt even notice that little caveat. I definitely will not be running headers, I will be running ram horns like you. Regarding carb/intake, I have been looking at the 2023 combo (edelbrock single quad 1813 800cfm thunder series carb & 7101 intake)

Also, I am assuming that this engine would have no problem getting my 4.10s rolling in the back. Is that a safe assumption?

Re: Great deal on new crate engine
 

With a 4.10? You'll be able to roast your back tires if you wanted to.

Got my shipping info, it's coming via R&L carriers... never heard of them before, had this info:

It weights 444lbs with whatever it's being shipped on.

I take it that I have to be home then when they deliver it... crap. We're stupid busy at work.

Re: Great deal on new crate engine
 

I'm not going to install mine until next spring.

LockDoc

Re: Great deal on new crate engine
 

I'm not an engine builder or very knowlegeable about carbs but I'm betting an 800cfm carb is going to be WAY too big for a 260HP 350. I'm running a Edelbrock 1406 600cfm on the one in the Burb and it's doing a great job of pulling that old boat around....

LockDoc

Re: Great deal on new crate engine
 

I agree. My mild 350 came with a 750 double pumper which was way too much carb for my application. I went to a 650 Street Avenger and am happy with it.
A 600 would be perfect for that setup.

Re: Great deal on new crate engine
 

Here's how the last one I got was crated.

LockDoc

Re: Great deal on new crate engine
 

Thanks for refocusing my search Loc & Sicklajoie. I will readust my focus. Either way I would want a 4bbl, right?