350/290 Horse Crate Engine

[davischevy]

The kids old 70 K10 4X4 still ran fair and didn't use oil but had one or two leaking valves.

We looked at all options with the parameters being a balance of power driveability and looking stock.

When we settled on the 290 horse, out biggest concern was vacuum to run the brakes.

Well, we got it running today and what a pleasant surprise.

The brakes actually work better than before, my daughter will be able to drive it without any problem, and it has just enough lope at idle to get attention at the stoplight.

The power is more than acceptable for towing a boat or trailer.

For the money I couldn't be happier.

[Lattimer]

Keep in mind, the original 350 was rated at 275 HP gross. So the 290 HP should be a pretty good upgrade over a tired stock engine.

I have found as long as you get 14 inches of vacuum or so at idle the brakes work fine. Any less you can add a vacuum reservoir and they still work good down to maybe 9 inches or so.

[El Dorado Jim]

That is good to know, I have been thinking about that engine for my '72

[doo142]

I have one in my k20, great motor!!

[davischevy]

I just realized I didn't mention I'm talking about the GM Crate Engine available from the dealer or many places online. Ours came from Summitt.

[DBK81]

But why do a 290hp/350 when you could do a ZZ4/350

Just kidding, we could play that game all day, we all would love HP out the ears, but the 290/350 is a great HP/dollar value! I was lucky enough to get a smoken deal on my motor. Glad everything is working as it should (thumbs up)

[davepl]

It's not about $/hp, or more cam would always be better.

I'd bet a 350/290 is a better choice for him than if they would have upgraded him to a 350/400 for free! Unless you're talking forced induction, what the cam gives you on the top end it takes away in town. Some people (like me) prefer a smooth idling, torquey motor in their trucks rather than a twitchy high-revving thing... that's what Chevy IIs are for!

Better heads are almost always better, unless they have giant ports.

[Rod Run]

Those are great engines. I've installed a couple of them. I don't know why you would have had any concern about pulling vacuum though?

A stock built engine is the best type to pull vacuum out of. It's when you start installing radical cams, that's when you need to worry.

I have a pretty borderline street cam in my lumpy big block (not really meant for the street) and that one can't pull the vacuum I need to work my power brakes. I needed to install a vacuum canister, so I could keep some "in reserve" and even with that, if I have to do back to back panic stops, it gets a little interesting

Have fun with your new engine. That thing should give you plenty of trouble-free miles

[El Dorado Jim]

Originally Posted by davischevy

I just realized I didn't mention I'm talking about the GM Crate Engine available from the dealer or many places online. Ours came from Summitt.

I figured you were talking about a crate engine, thanks

[special-K]

I've wondered if this would be a good motor for in a truck. real life reports work for me better than reading charts. They push a lower HP motor for pickups which made me wonder if this one would work out right. Sounds like it makes the torque you need where you need it. 290hp is nothing to sneeze at. It takes a bit of cam profiling above stock to come up with that. HP ratings back in '72 were optimistic. I believe the 350 4bbl was rated at 175 hp in a '72 K/20.

[67 chevelle]

They ,,gm that is are,, makeing zz6s now 405 hp , fastburn heads with beehive springs , the old zz4s were nice engines with crap heads , the 330 hp was a better motor , when both were new