Author Topic: Engine rebuild vs new/used  (Read 3493 times)

Offline krigermoose

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Engine rebuild vs new/used
« on: November 19, 2021, 01:55:06 PM »
Hey everyone, I made the very dumb mistake of not checking my oil. As a result, the truck burned almost all of it and it threw a rod. So here I am, a college student with an extremely tight budget and a broken truck asking what my best option is.

Before it threw the rod, the piston was loosened and hitting the head. Then, the next day when I tried to start it to drive onto a trailer, it came off completely and seized. Because of all of that, I don't know if it's even worth trying to reuse the block or even the heads. I could send it into a machine shop, but if a used engine is cheaper I'd rather just go that route. I'm on Facebook and Craigslist every day looking for good options, so far haven't found something I'm 100% happy with. What any advice on what route to go? How often do people just run it without any machine work? This engine is a crate 350 with very low miles, but it is also old. It was put in the truck at least 20 years ago and then it was driven very little.

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: Engine rebuild vs new/used
« Reply #1 on: November 19, 2021, 03:16:02 PM »
Finish disassembly evaluate the damage/wear.

Get estimates on repairs and compare costs.
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline krigermoose

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Re: Engine rebuild vs new/used
« Reply #2 on: November 19, 2021, 03:30:19 PM »
Right on.

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: Engine rebuild vs new/used
« Reply #3 on: November 19, 2021, 04:36:05 PM »
We'd like to hear what happens next too 8)
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Engine rebuild vs new/used
« Reply #4 on: November 19, 2021, 06:46:11 PM »
If you're on an extremely tight budget, throw a used engine in until you are not.
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: Engine rebuild vs new/used
« Reply #5 on: November 19, 2021, 07:36:45 PM »
If you're on an extremely tight budget, throw a used engine in until you are not.

I thought that also, but wondered if they are as available as they used to be.

Definitely less work overall... ;)
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline Shifty

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Re: Engine rebuild vs new/used
« Reply #6 on: November 20, 2021, 09:45:29 AM »
The engine suppliers are way behind currently. 
87 V20 Standard Cab Longbed (current)

87 R30 3+3 Longbed (days of yore)

98 C2500 ext cab longbed

Offline bd

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Re: Engine rebuild vs new/used
« Reply #7 on: November 20, 2021, 09:53:39 AM »
Nonetheless...


If you're on an extremely tight budget, throw a used engine in until you are not.


          ...is sage advice.
Rich
It's difficult to know just how much you don't know until you know it.
In other words... if people learn by making mistakes, by now I should know just about everything!!!
87 R10 Silverado Fleetside 355 MPFI 700R4 3.42 Locker (aka Rusty, aka Mater)

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: Engine rebuild vs new/used
« Reply #8 on: November 20, 2021, 02:29:55 PM »
The engine suppliers are way behind currently.

You think it's bad now...Container ships are off the coast of San Diego waiting to get into Long Beach and Los Angeles, 100 miles away.  :o
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline Shifty

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Re: Engine rebuild vs new/used
« Reply #9 on: November 20, 2021, 04:25:05 PM »
The engine suppliers are way behind currently.

You think it's bad now...Container ships are off the coast of San Diego waiting to get into Long Beach and Los Angeles, 100 miles away.  :o
I do wholesale auto parts, filters and belts/hoses are completely hammered right now, it's kooky.
87 V20 Standard Cab Longbed (current)

87 R30 3+3 Longbed (days of yore)

98 C2500 ext cab longbed

Offline krigermoose

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  • 1986 GMC C1500 5.7L
Re: Engine rebuild vs new/used
« Reply #10 on: November 21, 2021, 12:57:56 AM »
Alright guys, I found a used 2 bolt 350 casting # 3970010 for $500, it looks pretty decent. I'm aware that its a '69-'79 engine or something like that, but as far as I know it'll bolt right in. Looks like I might have a winner, I'll update when I go look at it/pick it up. Not covered in oil, looks mint under the valve covers.
« Last Edit: November 21, 2021, 01:01:50 AM by krigermoose »

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: Engine rebuild vs new/used
« Reply #11 on: November 21, 2021, 01:23:52 AM »
Good on you man!

Are you able to see/hear it run prior to?

1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline frotosride

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Re: Engine rebuild vs new/used
« Reply #12 on: November 21, 2021, 02:26:09 PM »
Your just a upside down two litter of gas, battery and oil check away from hearing it run before purchase. ;)
"Beat it like a red-headed ford"
1987 v10 Silverado(LQ4), 87 R10,83 K20, 83 cucv 6.2 Detroit
2006 Boulevard M109R 109 cid,2019 M109R BOSS
2009 Jeep XK, (future LS Swap)
GSXR 750 engine awaiting go kart

Offline MIKE S

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Re: Engine rebuild vs new/used
« Reply #13 on: November 21, 2021, 07:54:15 PM »
I believe 86 may have been one piece rear main seal that will affect the flywheel. Keep that in mind.

Offline TexasRed

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Re: Engine rebuild vs new/used
« Reply #14 on: November 22, 2021, 08:53:07 PM »
Where is your location?

You may find a low miles 305 somewhere too. Not ideal, but should fit where that 350 fit. If you're running an aftermarket carburetor, may be fairly easy to setup for the 305 too.