Crate 350 Pics & Update

[Daubs]

Decided to go with the 260 HP GM crate 350 to replace my cracked block 350 in the 72. Many thanks to all who helped me along the way.

The JD 445 sold yesterday, so today it was off to the GM parts department. $1320 + $100 core (which I can't return cause of this...):



Here are some pics of the new powerplant coming home in the crate:

[Daubs]

I'm planning to give her the "GM factory orange" treatment soon. What's best way to get the paint to stick and last?

[CPNEJR]

for paint they sell high heat made specifically for engines and in chevy orange

[boraxman]

They wouldnt take the core cause of that spot? Why not? Look at the paints by POR, I did a MGB motor with the brush on and it came out nice.

[PanelDeland]

Prep the block well.The paint will only be as good as the prep,just like with bodywork.I usually use a degreaser then rinse well and clean with paint thinner or brake/electrical cleaner and let dry before painting.

[Daubs]

boraxman: Cracked block...that little spot (amazing how small) was letting radiator fluid into my cylinder and into the pan. My oil was ICK. Talked with my engine builder and he said we could sleve that cylinder. But if engine had been rebuilt already (which I'm 95% sure it had), then could probably have trouble with adjacent cylinder walls. And who knows if or when heads would get issues.

PanelDeland: Good advice on degreaser / thinner. Should I rough up the black paint with sandpaper and/or wire brush first? Or just clean and paint?

[Daubs]

Update on the crate engine. Got to know my wire-wheel very well in the past few weeks. And the UPS guy. Parts are still coming in and paints have been here a while, as you can see.

Pressure washed the intake and one ram-horn:



Then sent both to machine shop for bead blast (along with flywheel for turning).



Turned out good, but realized I needed to paint her, along with other parts. Used Dupli-Color engine enamel with ceramix for all but the exhaust manifolds. For those I'm using Por15 high temp paint.





Manifold paint is "cast coat aluminum" and looks pretty darn good.



Picked up stainless steel bolt kit from Jegs.



Decided to replace the following while I had engine out:

• Clutch / press plate / t-bearing
• Fuel pump
• Starter
• Alt

Tossed the intake and exhaust manifolds on for a quick pic. Should be doing final assembly this week, but still waiting on z-bar parts before I can get her in the truck.



I really like the way it looks...of course it will be a new and painted engine surrounded by an aging and rusty truck. I'm thinking that will motivate me to start the complete tear down and restore

For now, I just want to get her running again and give my wife back her parking spot (oh, and prove my neighbors wrong...they don't think I will ever get it running again)

[TugOwar]

damn neighbors!

Looks good man. Keep the pics and updates coming.

[68Stepbed]

Nice Glad you liked the intake paint idea.

[Palf70Step]

Looks very nice and familiar (except for the orange paint, I left mine black)

[Daubs]

Originally Posted by 68Stepbed

I painted mine with engine paint. The color is Cast Coat Aluminum. I bought it at Advanced Auto. Looks real close to cast color, but it's alot easier to clean It's made by Dupli-Color.

Yep, I was following your lead. I even purchased some clear coat to go over and give more, but I got impatient and wanted to be finished. Thanks again!

Hot Rod (or Car Craft, can't remember which one), had article about engine paint...saying you don't need custom paint and spray gun. They suggested you use Dupli-Color! Worked well for me.

[Sweet72]

Pics 2, 3 and 4 were like a strip tease and then pic 5 she is totally nude! Real nice job on the Chevy Orange and detailing the manifolds, brackets and pulleys. Man, that looks nice!

[69TowRig]

Man, seeing pics of that makes me want to go get that darn 290Hp block soon. I was trying to convince myself into buying a junkyard 350 just to have a decent running engine (I have a 307 hittin' on 7 with unknown # of rebuilds), but looking at that makes me want a new one again.

[Daubs]

Originally Posted by 69TowRig

Man, seeing pics of that makes me want to go get that darn 290Hp block soon. I was trying to convince myself into buying a junkyard 350 just to have a decent running engine (I have a 307 hittin' on 7 with unknown # of rebuilds), but looking at that makes me want a new one again.

I looked at the 290 HP crate...it's the same as the 260 HP crate that I got, only different cam. Someone here suggested I stick with 260 HP engine...more low end torque to work with. My truck is 4x4 with 4 spd manual tranny.

The 260 HP version is $1320. 290 HP will cost you close to $1800.

[outlawchevy]

do you have the part # for that motor the dealer here says they have a 220hp and a 290 hp thanks

[QKENUF4U]

VERY NICE !!! ive done that same route myself twice and never been sorry about it (mine never came out that pretty though). those are GREAT motors if your not building a drag car/truck. they will do everything you want really well.

[QKENUF4U]

VERY NICE !!! ive done that same route myself twice and never been sorry about it (mine never came out that pretty though). those are GREAT motors if your not building a drag car/truck. they will do everything you want really well.

[Daubs]

Originally Posted by outlawchevy

do you have the part # for that motor the dealer here says they have a 220hp and a 290 hp thanks

Here is link to the base crate engine (part # 10067353). I've seen them rated anywhere from 190 to 260 HP. I guess depends on intake, carb, exhaus, etc.

http://www.crateenginedepot.com/stor...3--P62C63.aspx

Call around. If your dealer doesn't order them by in bulk, they will try to charge you close to $1750. Find a dealer that orders them by the truckload and get the better price.

[Daubs]

Today's update:

Intake and exhaust manifolds are now installed and torqued down. As is fuel pump & water neck.

I am still waiting on heat shields, plug wire retainers from GMC-Pauls and Z-bar kit from Year One (both were backordered and should ship this week).

I will have to fabricate my own low pressure return hose for the power steering. But I believe the mid 70's high pressure hose will work (crossing fingers!!!). Hoping to post install pics early next week...

[glock35ipsc]

You will like that engine. I bought the same one for my 68, only I swapped out the cam for a Comp Cams 268H. I just wanted a little lumpety-lump at idle. Sounds real good, and they run great! That looks real nice too!!!

[Daubs]

All the parts are in my possession (wire retainers, Z-bar kit, heat shields), and I even found exact replacements for my PS hoses!!! Thank you GMC Pauls!

On advice of a board member, I ordered myself a set of plug wires from '78 Vette (they had HEI and Ram-Horns). I was a little discouraged at the length of some of the wires...seemed too long. But after some trial and error, I managed to come up with good routing.

I ordered replacement heat shields, but don't like them. I'm planning to get some high temp sleeves to shield from manifold heat. And I'll add thick rubber hose in places where plug wires might rub.

Hope to have pictures of this engine actually in the truck early next week!!!

[FRENCHBLUE72]

WOW very nice ....

[ChevyDude]

Chevy Orange is just awesome!!! Why they ever left it for blue and now black, is just beyond me

Great job, looks fantastic!!!

[QKENUF4U]

are you sure you really want your wires that loooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggggggggggg
i would never deal with that when you can get the correct wires that will work with your holders etc. plus youve spent so much time/energy on making this thing so nice/clean. get the right plug wires and finish it up the right way.
or
find a store that sells the correct ends and just cut them down yourself.

[Swbman]

Nice Job,all the work you put into her really shows,its going to look Sweet in your truck...