Looking for drop in crate engine
 

Hello, my 1970 C10 currently has the factory 350 installed and my dad bored the block 30 over probably 30 years ago. We want to replace it with a crate engine but I am having a hard time finding what I want. We are just looking for 350 with maybe a little cam for sound. We are not really looking for a high performance build but something to make it sound bad ass. Any ideas where to look online at built long block for my application?

Re: Looking for drop in crate engine
 

best deal going for those not looking for a career change into building engines is this..

https://www.chevrolet.com/performance/crate-engines

new, factory, warranty, dealer support, etc..

they offer a decent selection of bone stock to mild, reliable performance upgrades..

there has been a lot of chatter about west coast engines but they're pricey rebuilds..

I backed off from considering them due to several accounts I've read of unhappy buyers..

factory crates available at select dealers around the country, pricing varies slightly..

summit, jegs, etc.also sell them..

this is about the simplest, least hassle, highest odds of success formula for the average guy..

good luck!

Re: Looking for drop in crate engine
 

Thank you. I will take a look.

Re: Looking for drop in crate engine
 

With the holidays around the corner, a lot of vendors offer free shipping.
I remember one offering a 290hp long block for $1200 delivered!

Re: Looking for drop in crate engine
 

My son put one in his 72 about 4 years ago from Jegs …Brand New
350 4 bolt main 290 HP $2000 to his door, Ran perfect and sounded good with a little cam bump rumble.

On another note in my 40 Ford Coupe (I know bad word) I ordered from Pace Performance a brand new GM 350 4 bolt main 260 HP Connect and Cruise Pkg with a rebuilt GM Turbo 350 transmission behind it

It was complete from the air cleaner to oil pan, water pump to driveline yoke, including a high torque mini starter, all assembly hardware for transmission, converter, converter dust cover, flex-plate, converter bolts, break-in oil, oil filter, topped with a brand new 600 CFM Holley etc, etc.

$4900 to my door! Hell of a deal!

Re: Looking for drop in crate engine
 

My son in law put the 290 HP GM crate motor in his K10 and loves it. It has a little lope, good power and direct, easy install.

Re: Looking for drop in crate engine
 

Do not buy the $1300 crate engine its a turd

Re: Looking for drop in crate engine
 

I bought an almost ready to bolt in Chevrolet GM Performance 350 HO Deluxe 330 HP engine in 2010 and am very pleased. It's a flat tappet with Vortec heads. The block allows use of a mechanical fuel pump (not included) and all of our accessories bolt on except for A/C brackets with ram horns. It actually uses all the A/C brackets except for the top braces and bracket that attaches to the intake. Those are easy to fabricate (I have pics and patterns for what I made). I did have to install a starter, replace the flex plate with a 168 tooth version and replace the long water pump with a short pump.

Link:
https://www.gmperformancemotor.com/parts/19210008.html

Re: Looking for drop in crate engine
 

I agree those GM connect and cruise packages are hard to beat when you add up all the vital parts you get... and On another note that 40 ---- coupe you have, has undeniable ICON status in the hotrod world.

Re: Looking for drop in crate engine
 

I would buy the 260 hp over the 290 hp any day. The 290 is over crammed for the compression, it only makes 290 hp at like 5000 rpm and hardly any at low rpm where you need it.
A GM vortec is the way to go in my opinion, roller cam and vortec heads.
Oh yeah, the vortec will get you 300 hp with a lot of low end torque where you need it.

Re: Looking for drop in crate engine
 

I had one of the GM L31 Vortech crate engine's in my 55. I ran it 11,000 miles and took it out. It was too anemic for me. It now resides in a crate on a shelf in my shop.

I replaced it with the 330 HP Vortech.

Re: Looking for drop in crate engine
 

I would look at blueprint engines. They make 350 and 383 small blocks in roller or flat tappet, iron or aluminum heads and so on. Great prices. Mechanical fuel pumps too I think.

Re: Looking for drop in crate engine
 

This what I went with, their 400 SBC. Hopefully getting it installed this week.

Re: Looking for drop in crate engine
 

375HP roller motor for $2800. Bolt on fuel pump. Beat that!

https://blueprintengines.com/product...lock-bp3503ct1

Re: Looking for drop in crate engine
 

GM Performance now offers the 330HP HO 350 with a roller cam. They call it the 357/350. Probably the best Vortec deal out there. You can buy it either complete carb to pan or just the long block. I'm itching to pull the trigger on one to replace the crappy low horse 350 in my 68 C10

Re: Looking for drop in crate engine
 

You call 300 hp anemic but is satisfied with 330 hp? You could ha e done a simple cam swap and got more hp than 330.
I have heard of stock l31 making 315 on a dyno.

Re: Looking for drop in crate engine
 

Sweet! Not much more than the flat tappet version.
https://www.gmperformancemotor.com/parts/19367082.html

Re: Looking for drop in crate engine
 

Looks like I have a few options. I'm going to look more at Blueprint.

Re: Looking for drop in crate engine
 

Has anyone heard of these people?
Website makes it look terrific!

https://westcoastengines.com/chevy-350-engine/325-hp/


Opinions?

Re: Looking for drop in crate engine
 

You have heard?

Re: Looking for drop in crate engine
 

seems like they made good on it but issues I'm not interested in from a rebuilder

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...+coast+engines

according to op, they're some sort of affiliate of a larger mass rebuilder, motor works inc.

https://www.bbb.org/us/wa/spokane/pr...161/complaints

not sure how this one turned out but sure went through a lot over 5 month span?

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=786199

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=791337

not sure how facebook does their ratings, I'm not a subscriber..

but out of 65 reviews I counted, 13 did not reccomend, 20% ?

https://m.facebook.com/pg/WestCoastEngines/reviews/

business is fairly new, who or what were they previously?

not going to knock anything they build personally, don't own one, but my spidey sense tells me pass..

Re: Looking for drop in crate engine
 

Thank you for your help.
Advertising looked too good, I believe you are right.

Re: Looking for drop in crate engine
 

Anyone use the ATK 330HP 380TQ 355ci 4 bolt main Dart heads crate engine? $2350 seem to be a great buy.

Re: Looking for drop in crate engine
 

Well?? Any updates?
Did anyone here purchase and install a new engine?
What did you pick and why?

Help much appreciated! I'm about to spend my nest egg on an engine to get my truck on the road again.

Re: Looking for drop in crate engine
 

I had a GM Performance 350 (195 HP) put in my work truck in December ($2100 @JEGS) and it is pretty much exactly like a stock engine except that mine was 9.0-1 compression originally and this new one is 8.5. Seems fine, that is after I re-adjusted the valves. A couple of them were at least 0+ 1 1/2 turns and all the rest were 0+1/2 turns. I'm happy with it. It has more than enough power for a serious work truck but it will not win many stoplight drag races (5300 Lbs. with tools) I figure if I feel like it some day, I can put Vortec heads on there and change the cam to a Comp Cams H260 or whatever. -BA