Rob--
That sounds like a reasonable price for an engine/tranny. If you can
hear it run, or better yet drive it, that would be icing on the cake.
If money is a problem, you may want to consider just doing the swap now,
and rebuilding the engine in a year or two. I hate to say it, but
engine swaps always take two to ten times as long, and cost two to ten
times as much, as you plan on. You'd be surprised how many things can
go wrong! And, there are lots of things you will have to buy, such as
exhaust, shifter, tranny cooler, wiring stuff, hoses, mounts, linkage,
cooling parts, etc. The swap to a v-8 in an AD truck is much more
complicated than in the newer trucks that had the V-8 as an option.
As far as rebuilding the engine, you would probably need to bore it,
replace the cam, lifters, pushrods, etc, as well as have to put in
guides, new valve springs, replace some valves, etc. The rebuild you
can do for $150 is not much better than what you have already with a
good used engine! So, you might be better off saving up the $800 or so
it will take to do the rebuild properly. A quick ring job like you plan
on will last 10k-20k miles, and you will be back where you started
from. Been there, done that also.
I don't mean to discourage you, but it's better to know what you're
getting into at the start than in the middle of the project. If you do
your homework, you can do the swap relatively quickly. Just be prepared
for things to crop up that you hadn't planned on.
Jim
-----------------------------
original message:
Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1999 22:07:16 EDT
From: RobXR250@aol.com
Subject: [oletrucks] deal on a 350/350 combo
i work at a auto parts store and a friend of mine that works there has a
friend who is trying to get rid of a 71 or 72 3/4 chev. it has a 350
with
an
auto 350. it doesn't blow oil, knock, ping, make any strange noises. i
called
around to salvage yards and to buy this from one it sounds like it would
be
600-700 for both. i can get a rebuild kit minus the pistons through
where i
work and am planning on taking engine rebuilding next semester so i can
have
a rebuilt 350 for 450 or so including the 300 he wants for the engine
and
tranny. does this sound good to you guys? im 16 and making 6.50 an hour
so
i
dont want to waste my money. who of you have done this swap and can give
me
some insights on it?
Thanks alot,
Rob
50 3100/w 235 hopefully 350 later.
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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