Which 350? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

69ChevySWB · 05-08-2002, 12:39 PM

I was told that it would be best to put a 73 up 350 engine in my truck. My truck is a 69. Anyone have any suggestions?

------------------
Brian Thompson
69 SWB
69 LWB

*Randy70C-10* · 05-08-2002, 12:46 PM

I don't understand why. They are all good, I've had great luck with the 69-72 casting #3970010 4-bolt blocks. It's the parts you use that determine the longevity of a motor, and don't ever skimp on the machine work or gaskets!

------------------
Yeah, that's right. My name is Randy too!
WWW.Randysrods.freeservers.com
1970 Chevy C-10 shortstep
30 Ford Model A Coupe 4 inch chop, 350, GMC 671 blower-Hell yeah it's fast!
87 Harley Sportster(couldnt get a 350 to fit)
Self Propelled Lawn Mower
Built in USA!!!!

Virginia Beach, VA.

tom hand · 05-08-2002, 12:55 PM

I know that GM had some major problems with 350 that were machined wrong in 72-73,maybe a couble of other years. The problem was that the starter pad was machined wrong. To "fix" the problem GM machined a bunch of starters to fit the blocks. It worked fine till you had to replace the starter,because a standard off the shelf starter will not fit. These are the blocks that you always here people say the starter will start to whine a couple of days after they replace the starter. Most people try to fix the problem by shiming the starter but that just makes it worst. To fix it you have to take the nose of the starter to a machine shop and let them take about a 1/16 of an inch off the mounting surface. I have had two of these blocks and one was a 72,and one was a 73. They will drive you crazy. A guy I know that works at a starter rebuild shop told me about this after he seen a I was buying a starter every 6 months for my 350.

------------------
72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail
Olive Branch MS

[This message has been edited by tom hand (edited May 08, 2002).]

*Fast68Chevy* · 05-08-2002, 02:02 PM

thats interesting,, hmm.

010 blocks were made form 69-79, are alot of 4 bolt high nickle ones out ther,e are all in the trucks and vans, 014 block is basically as good, dont ever toss one unless its totally unfixable in any way. if the front pad suffix stamping code begins with a T then its 90% chance of being the best they made

good luck

------------------
Randy- Lincoln, IL
randy@ccaonline.com 2177353230
*many GM parts bought, traded, or sold -am parting out: '81 Cutlass Supreme Brougham

current fleet: -71 C-10 350/CH465/3.07- basketcase, #1
-90 Cavalier 2.2L sky blue, a driver
-84 Z28 5.0L/700R4/3.73 daily driver
-84 Firebird/SE 2.8L/T-5/3.73/engine bad, project #2
-82 purple Trans Am, project #3
*Paint is overrated*
© RSS Enterprises 2000

[This message has been edited by Fast68Chevy (edited May 08, 2002).]

imaindianoutlaw · 05-08-2002, 03:36 PM

I have a friend who is a chevy engine builder from way back , and he says 73/74 blocks are stonger thatn the rest? Nickel content higher? Not sure maybe that was just big blocks?

------------------
Charles W. Hein
S. Williamsport PA

imaindianoutlaw@yahoo.com

REFRIGERATION TECH

1971 Rolling chassis

FOR SALE
1963 Pontiac Tempest
1965 Pontiac GTO
1956 Pontiac 2 dr

slam33 · 05-08-2002, 05:17 PM

The high nik blocks were 69-72. Your looking for a 010 casting behind the timing cover

------------------
71 basic C-10 350. The only option is the rust.No nothing on it, but thats all about to change. <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/stevemau/slam33page.html?1004806705410

" TARGET=_blank>http://www.geocities.com/stevemau/slam33page.html?1004806705410

</A>

*Randy70C-10* · 05-08-2002, 05:59 PM

The one cast after 72 have been known to crack. My buddy has one of those cracked ones.

05-08-2002, 03:36 PM	#5
imaindianoutlaw GMC SHORT FLEET F/S Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT PENNSYLVANNIA Posts: 2,117	I have a friend who is a chevy engine builder from way back , and he says 73/74 blocks are stonger thatn the rest? Nickel content higher? Not sure maybe that was just big blocks? ------------------ Charles W. Hein S. Williamsport PA imaindianoutlaw@yahoo.com REFRIGERATION TECH 1971 Rolling chassis FOR SALE 1963 Pontiac Tempest 1965 Pontiac GTO 1956 Pontiac 2 dr __________________ CHARLES WADE HEIN HVACR FOREMAN. LEWISBURG U.S.P.

05-08-2002, 05:17 PM	#6
slam33 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Long Beach, Ca Posts: 1,432	The high nik blocks were 69-72. Your looking for a 010 casting behind the timing cover ------------------ 71 basic C-10 350. The only option is the rust.No nothing on it, but thats all about to change. <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/stevemau/slam33page.html?1004806705410 " TARGET=_blank>http://www.geocities.com/stevemau/slam33page.html?1004806705410 </A> __________________ 71 LWB 350/350still working on it but it's going tp be sweet. www.geocities.com/stevemau/slam33page.html " TARGET=_blank>http://www.geocities.com/stevemau/slam33page.html?1004806705410 </A>

05-08-2002, 12:39 PM	#1
69ChevySWB Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Little Elm, Texas, USA Posts: 237	Which 350? I was told that it would be best to put a 73 up 350 engine in my truck. My truck is a 69. Anyone have any suggestions? ------------------ Brian Thompson 69 SWB 69 LWB __________________ Brian Thompson 99 2500 Silverado 6.0 05 Suburban (Wife's) 67 Mustang (Wife's)

05-08-2002, 12:46 PM	#2
Randy70C-10 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A. Posts: 15,320	I don't understand why. They are all good, I've had great luck with the 69-72 casting #3970010 4-bolt blocks. It's the parts you use that determine the longevity of a motor, and don't ever skimp on the machine work or gaskets! ------------------ Yeah, that's right. My name is Randy too! WWW.Randysrods.freeservers.com 1970 Chevy C-10 shortstep 30 Ford Model A Coupe 4 inch chop, 350, GMC 671 blower-Hell yeah it's fast! 87 Harley Sportster(couldnt get a 350 to fit) Self Propelled Lawn Mower Built in USA!!!! Virginia Beach, VA.

05-08-2002, 12:55 PM	#3
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	I know that GM had some major problems with 350 that were machined wrong in 72-73,maybe a couble of other years. The problem was that the starter pad was machined wrong. To "fix" the problem GM machined a bunch of starters to fit the blocks. It worked fine till you had to replace the starter,because a standard off the shelf starter will not fit. These are the blocks that you always here people say the starter will start to whine a couple of days after they replace the starter. Most people try to fix the problem by shiming the starter but that just makes it worst. To fix it you have to take the nose of the starter to a machine shop and let them take about a 1/16 of an inch off the mounting surface. I have had two of these blocks and one was a 72,and one was a 73. They will drive you crazy. A guy I know that works at a starter rebuild shop told me about this after he seen a I was buying a starter every 6 months for my 350. ------------------ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS [This message has been edited by tom hand (edited May 08, 2002).] __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

05-08-2002, 02:02 PM	#4
Fast68Chevy Account Suspended Join Date: May 2000 Location: IL Posts: 0	thats interesting,, hmm. 010 blocks were made form 69-79, are alot of 4 bolt high nickle ones out ther,e are all in the trucks and vans, 014 block is basically as good, dont ever toss one unless its totally unfixable in any way. if the front pad suffix stamping code begins with a T then its 90% chance of being the best they made good luck ------------------ Randy- Lincoln, IL randy@ccaonline.com 2177353230 many GM parts bought, traded, or sold -am parting out: '81 Cutlass Supreme Brougham current fleet: -71 C-10 350/CH465/3.07- basketcase, #1 -90 Cavalier 2.2L sky blue, a driver -84 Z28 5.0L/700R4/3.73 daily driver -84 Firebird/SE 2.8L/T-5/3.73/engine bad, project #2 -82 purple Trans Am, project #3 Paint is overrated* © RSS Enterprises 2000 [This message has been edited by Fast68Chevy (edited May 08, 2002).]

05-08-2002, 05:59 PM	#7
Randy70C-10 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A. Posts: 15,320	The one cast after 72 have been known to crack. My buddy has one of those cracked ones.



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