Author Topic: Bottom end bearing motor problem  (Read 6012 times)

Offline PSuarez

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 19
  • Newbie
Bottom end bearing motor problem
« on: October 03, 2015, 07:49:45 PM »
  Well I just bought a freaking mint (body) 1980 k10 longbed 4 speed manual, beautiful truck.  I knew it had a throw out bearing problem which I had fixed w/ new clutch.  All the noise was hiding a bottom end bearing issue...its clear as day now.  I'm no mechanic.  I need sound advice on what to do.  I need this thing ready to go across country and I have to get it right the first time.  I always thought if a 350 blew I would just get it rebuilt into a 355 for not that much...(not that I have a lot of money, but this is why I don't by brand new vehicles)...$1500 or so.  Folks are telling me all sorts of different things now, buy a crate motor, buy a used 350 motor, get a bottom end replacement etc etc.  I'm totally confused.  Please advise, thanks!

Offline 1967KaiserM715

  • Junior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 914
  • 1985 GMC K1500 w/ 6.5 TD
Re: Bottom end bearing motor problem
« Reply #1 on: October 03, 2015, 09:21:26 PM »
My 2 cents

If you need it ready for a cross country trip, and your not overall mechanically inclined, your best bet is a crate or if you can do some mechanical work, a long block.

I would never just replace bottom end bearings without taking rest of the engine apart and micing crank for straightness,  plus the law of averages will probably mean once you put bearings in, something else will go.

Used is a whole different game, but something I won't trust to go cross country with
Current Vehicles:1985 GMC K10(Daily) 1991 GMC K2500(Daily) 1975 Beetle(not running) 1985 Mercedes 300D(not running) 1952 M35    1967 M715(not running)
 1986 Chevy K30(under repair)

Offline PSuarez

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 19
  • Newbie
Re: Bottom end bearing motor problem
« Reply #2 on: October 04, 2015, 05:25:01 AM »
Still a bit confused.  So the old 350 to 355 with all new parts is an old notion?  Or, is it that the price is so close I might as well go crate?  Thanks.

Offline PSuarez

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 19
  • Newbie
Re: Bottom end bearing motor problem
« Reply #3 on: October 04, 2015, 05:42:05 AM »
I mean...if the cylinders even need bored out....

Offline 1967KaiserM715

  • Junior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 914
  • 1985 GMC K1500 w/ 6.5 TD
Re: Bottom end bearing motor problem
« Reply #4 on: October 04, 2015, 06:39:39 AM »
Oh, I'm sorry misread the post a little.

A rebuild would be a little cheaper then crate, but that also depends on what can be reused, and what will need to be replaced.

Were you planning on rebuild yourself or a shop?

I guess I'll say that a rebuild would take a little longer then getting a crate engine as well. So I would say that the positives and negatives of each(rebuild vs crate) end up being close to the same if time is a factor
Current Vehicles:1985 GMC K10(Daily) 1991 GMC K2500(Daily) 1975 Beetle(not running) 1985 Mercedes 300D(not running) 1952 M35    1967 M715(not running)
 1986 Chevy K30(under repair)

Offline Engineer

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1402
Re: Bottom end bearing motor problem
« Reply #5 on: October 04, 2015, 07:11:56 AM »
A NEW GM Goodwrench replacement engine for that truck was around $1,800~2,000. With warranty. :)



Um, my bad, looks like a new GM Goodwrench engine is $1,459.00 with a 3yr/100K warranty:

http://www.jegs.com/p/Chevrolet-Performance/GM-Goodwrench-350ci-Engine-Packages/752506/10002/-1
2002 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 8.1/ZF6sp RC/LB
2001 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 6.0/4L85E EC/SB
1997 Chevy Blazer 4x4
1994 Chevy K-2500 4x4 C6P 5.7/4L80E
1979 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10
1977 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10 454

Dad of an Eagle Scout, and a Life Scout

Offline Engineer

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1402
2002 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 8.1/ZF6sp RC/LB
2001 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 6.0/4L85E EC/SB
1997 Chevy Blazer 4x4
1994 Chevy K-2500 4x4 C6P 5.7/4L80E
1979 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10
1977 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10 454

Dad of an Eagle Scout, and a Life Scout

Offline PSuarez

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 19
  • Newbie
Re: Bottom end bearing motor problem
« Reply #7 on: October 04, 2015, 10:52:26 AM »
Sounds like a crate motor is the way to go.  Looks like the upgraded motors are at least 2k....say a prayer for me.  Thanks for the help folks!

Offline Dr_Snooz

  • Junior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 590
  • "I like to take hammers, and just break stuff"
Re: Bottom end bearing motor problem
« Reply #8 on: October 06, 2015, 10:30:55 PM »
A NEW GM Goodwrench replacement engine for that truck was around $1,800~2,000. With warranty. :)



Um, my bad, looks like a new GM Goodwrench engine is $1,459.00 with a 3yr/100K warranty:

http://www.jegs.com/p/Chevrolet-Performance/GM-Goodwrench-350ci-Engine-Packages/752506/10002/-1

OMG! That is cheap!
1989 Chevy Suburban V-2500, 5.7L, TH400

1990 Chevy C-3500 Ext. Cab, 7.4L, 3L80

2009 Chevy Silverado 1500 WT 4WD, 4.8L, 4L60

Offline PSuarez

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 19
  • Newbie
Re: Bottom end bearing motor problem
« Reply #9 on: October 07, 2015, 05:25:07 AM »
I'm hearing bad things about the crate motors that are in the $1400 range.  The blocks are fine, but internals can be junked (can be).  I'm going to get my blocked checked and rebuild it for $1700.  Most warranties are scams anyways.  My guy knows his stuff...everything from bottom to top including heads gone through for $1700 is my quote on the rebuild.

Offline Captkaos

  • OWNER and Administrator
  • Administrator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18369
    • http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com
Re: Bottom end bearing motor problem
« Reply #10 on: October 07, 2015, 11:25:55 AM »
I have bought crate when I needed one running immediately and couldn't wait for the rebuild.  I have never had any problems with them.  As for the internals being junk, that has not been the case for me.

Offline PSuarez

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 19
  • Newbie
Re: Bottom end bearing motor problem
« Reply #11 on: October 07, 2015, 12:11:32 PM »
Did you go with the basic $1400 gm variety?  Or, the upper models?  Glad you've had good luck.  I had a 83' k10 with one that was just fine as well.  I've heard a few stories though...but it's probably like that with everything from blenders to space craft.

Offline Captkaos

  • OWNER and Administrator
  • Administrator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18369
    • http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com
Re: Bottom end bearing motor problem
« Reply #12 on: October 07, 2015, 12:25:05 PM »
Yes basic crate motor.

Offline PSuarez

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 19
  • Newbie
Re: Bottom end bearing motor problem
« Reply #13 on: October 07, 2015, 01:11:49 PM »
The basic ones say 191 hp.  I'm not a hot rodder by any means.  Can you let me know what modifications you've done to it?  I have headers/intake/heads/carb of course that I can switch over.  Did you do anything internally?  191 hp seems pretty low on a 350.  The next step up is 2k and has a rating of 290 hp.  Thanks.

Offline BBM3

  • Frequent Member
  • **
  • Posts: 326
Re: Bottom end bearing motor problem
« Reply #14 on: October 07, 2015, 04:02:27 PM »
The engine Engineer linked to (10067353) includes new heads no reason to re-use yours.
If you are so inclined, Rich W has offered a couple of reasonably priced camshaft and intake manifold options that will wakeup the base (10067353) long block.

I am very close to buying this engine and maybe going with Rich W's cam and manifold suggestions.