Author Topic: 350 Engine Swap Cost  (Read 4517 times)

Offline Ed4all10

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350 Engine Swap Cost
« on: April 15, 2018, 07:45:50 PM »
Hello, Anybody have a rough guess what a mechanic would charge to put a 350 crate motor in my 85? Been out of the game for awhile, and since I have moved/started new job I have not had the time or space to swap it myself. Thank you.

Edit: I will b providing the motor and all accessories!

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: 350 Engine Swap Cost
« Reply #1 on: April 15, 2018, 08:00:48 PM »
12-17 hours labor. You didn't give enough info
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Offline Monkey Uncle

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Re: 350 Engine Swap Cost
« Reply #2 on: April 16, 2018, 05:47:43 AM »
Depends on the cost of labor in your area, and on the number and type of accessories that need to be swapped over.  Last year I had a 350 crate swap done, and it cost me about $650 plus the cost of the long block and other parts that needed to be replaced (oil pan, valve covers, starter).  Mechanic charged $450 labor, plus he kept the old engine core, which I figure was worth about $200.  But I live in an area where independent shop labor is very cheap, and my truck doesn't have AC or anything electronic/computer controlled.

Make sure your crate engine has a good warranty, and that the company you buy it from will stand behind the warranty.  Also make sure you understand up front your mechanic's policies regarding warranty work.  I had to have mine back several times to deal with issues, some of which were the engine manufacturer's fault (bad valve train parts) and some of which were the mechanic's fault (leaks).  Although I was unhappy with the defects, I was glad that both the manufacturer and the mechanic stood behind their work and didn't charge anything extra to fix these issues.

Offline Ed4all10

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Re: 350 Engine Swap Cost
« Reply #3 on: April 16, 2018, 05:40:26 PM »
Thank you! Any recommendations for a close to stock crate engine? I was quoted 4000 today for an install, which includes a Jasper ($2100), my stock Rochester carb just switched over, and the old manifold. I feel like I have seen more complete setups on Jegs for about the same price, complete with a manifold and carb? I would really like to just get a completely new motor to put in. Thanks!
« Last Edit: April 16, 2018, 05:52:28 PM by Ed4all10 »

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: 350 Engine Swap Cost
« Reply #4 on: April 16, 2018, 07:37:09 PM »
I would not recommend Jasper. What are do you live in and why are you replacing your engine?
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline Ed4all10

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Re: 350 Engine Swap Cost
« Reply #5 on: April 17, 2018, 05:07:44 AM »
Live in South Central PA. Replacing motor because my 305 is leaking like a sieve, and has 189k on it.

Offline Monkey Uncle

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Re: 350 Engine Swap Cost
« Reply #6 on: April 17, 2018, 06:28:23 AM »
Mine is a reman from Fred Bean.  They are located in SW PA near Pittsburgh.  Supposedly those engines are built on site one at a time.  The long block cost $1,800, which is kind of pricey for a reman, especially one that doesn't come with valve covers and an oil pan.  It is their "slightly better than bone stock" model with 4 bolt mains.  The mechanic who did the install swayed me because he has an established relationship with Fred Bean and said they have good warranty service.  So far he's been right about the warranty service, although I would have preferred not to have had to use the warranty. 

The problems I had were with the valve train.  The rocker arms apparently were not milled correctly, and a couple of them walked off the valve stems.  Also had a lifter that broke.  Ended up replacing all of the lifters, rocker arms, and push rods.

Offline Ed4all10

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Re: 350 Engine Swap Cost
« Reply #7 on: April 17, 2018, 05:00:18 PM »
Would I have any problem with say the radiator being different between the 305 and new 350?

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: 350 Engine Swap Cost
« Reply #8 on: April 17, 2018, 06:17:22 PM »
You should have no issue with Summit or Jegs in terms of customer service or dealing with any warranty issues. You should factor in a new radiator, water pump, thermostat, plugs and ignition components, fluids, filters, flexplate (especially if you go to a one piece rear main). Transmission front seal is a good idea while you're in there (assuming A/T) Looks over belts, motor mounts and anything else you might need. You'll save money having everything on hand.
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline Stewart G Griffin

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Re: 350 Engine Swap Cost
« Reply #9 on: October 02, 2018, 05:35:53 PM »
I would not recommend Jasper. What are do you live in and why are you replacing your engine?

i'm queesy about jasper too, due to bad reviews, but curious why you feel this way?

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: 350 Engine Swap Cost
« Reply #10 on: October 02, 2018, 07:45:03 PM »
Jasper, over priced low quality "USA" but like low grade China products. Too many bad experiences for me. Oil burners, leakers, knockers, tickers, smokers, poor assembly, loose, stack tolerances and so on. Parts is parts, profit is profit, no care factor for the end user or installer.
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline 75gmck25

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Re: 350 Engine Swap Cost
« Reply #11 on: October 11, 2018, 12:06:58 PM »
In the $2000 price range for a complete long block, I would highly recommend the GM L31 crate engine like this one https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/059/0282/10002/-1

Its a new Vortec 350 with roller cam (but a very mild cam), and 1 piece RMS.  You will also need a Vortec intake and an electric fuel pump, but other accessories should move right over.    This engine gets you a roller cam (no more worry about ZDDP) and Vortec heads that flow better than anything made back in the 60's and 70's.   Technically GM says it does not fit your truck, but that's because it was only a factory engine for '96 and up trucks.  Its rated at 290 HP, but a simple change to an RV cam would easily put it in the 350-360 HP range.

You can also get the basic GM Goodwrench 350/260hp crate for about $2000 (https://www.jegs.com/p/Chevrolet-Performance/GM-Goodwrench-350ci-Crate-Engine-Packages/3867244/10002/-1) , but it has low compression, poor flowing iron heads, and a 2 piece RMS. 

If you have friends who work for automotive dealers, check to see if they can get any discounts on GM crate engines.   Several years ago I got one through a friend who worked at a Peterbilt dealer and I saved a couple hundred dollars.

I installed a 350 crate with the help of my teenage son and a cherry picker hoist, and it was about a 2 1/2 day job.   Its not very hard overall, except for the finally positioning where you are trying to get the bell housing to bolt up and drop the engine mounts into position at the same time.

Bruce

Offline Smokehouse

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Re: 350 Engine Swap Cost
« Reply #12 on: October 27, 2018, 11:58:20 AM »
Does the crate motor from jegs that has 290hp does it take regular or 91 octane it doesn’t say? I like to do that motor and Holley sniper efi on my 78 burb in the spring. I’m wondering what kind of mileage I would expect out of doing that but anything is better than 10 or 11 I’m getting now out of my stock 350 with those terrible smog heads from back in the day. When I look at stats on a 98 or 99 truck it says around 17-18 and that’s with emissions stuff turned on.
You are not that hot to be that bitchy.

Offline Stewart G Griffin

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Re: 350 Engine Swap Cost
« Reply #13 on: October 29, 2018, 05:24:09 PM »
It's funny, but i noticed that the crate 350 is no longer the cheapest small block.  The L-31 engines are.   $1800 vs. $2000.

Go figure...........

Offline Stewart G Griffin

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Re: 350 Engine Swap Cost
« Reply #14 on: October 29, 2018, 05:25:07 PM »
Jasper, over priced low quality "USA" but like low grade China products. Too many bad experiences for me. Oil burners, leakers, knockers, tickers, smokers, poor assembly, loose, stack tolerances and so on. Parts is parts, profit is profit, no care factor for the end user or installer.

It's sad about jasper.  What about ATK?