Author Topic: Needs motor?  (Read 6285 times)

Offline Senior1978

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Needs motor?
« on: February 24, 2010, 09:28:08 am »
Well on the way to work this morning my 78 c20 started knocking BAD. Was losing power. I shut it down. But the knock/thump is coming from the lower left front of the motor. It is a goodwrench 350 290hp motor with about 55000 miles. I'm facing a real dilemma here. I need truck for towing a trailer. The noise started out as what I thought was a sticking lifter sound. But is seems too low and deep for that now. If push comes to shove I will have to part out or sell as whole non-op vehicle. The truck is in too good of shape to just dump. But I already have too much invested to recoup. My wife is none too happy about this. Any thoughts/input. Rebuild?......Move on to something else?.......
Thanks
Mark
78 Chev. C20HD...9600GVWR, GMCrate 350/290HP, THM400, Dana60-4.10. Daily driver/work in process. Originally a "pipeline special" Custom Deluxe, 1 Ton springs/Brakes/Axles.

Offline SUX2BU99

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Re: Needs motor?
« Reply #1 on: February 24, 2010, 10:44:52 am »
That really sucks and it does sound like you might have spun a bearing. Get on to your local craigslist and look for cheap 350's. It should not be hard to find one for $500 or less.
85 Chevy Silverado C10 short, wide, yellow, 2wd. Lowered, 60-over 350 with Dart Iron Eagle heads and Comp Cams XE268 cam, TH350 w/ shift kit, 3.40 Gov-lok 12 bolt.

Offline Stewart G Griffin

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Re: Needs motor?
« Reply #2 on: February 24, 2010, 12:26:57 pm »
Or do like i did and put in a 305, which can be found for next to nothing.

1) Is the engine still in warranty period?

2) How much weight do you have to tow?

Offline Lt.Del

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Re: Needs motor?
« Reply #3 on: February 24, 2010, 02:12:37 pm »
I would drop the oil pan and take a look at her...

Have someone with a 5/8 socket/ratchet turn the crank from the pulley while you watch the crank rotate.  Remove the rod bearings/caps around the crank and inspect if it seems that's where the trouble lies.  That wont take long.  Throw some new bearings back in if that is indeed the problem and torque it back up.  If it messed up your crank any, you'd have to replace that however, but, you might be lucky.
« Last Edit: February 24, 2010, 02:19:52 pm by SgtDel »

Offline Senior1978

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Re: Needs motor?
« Reply #4 on: February 24, 2010, 04:53:19 pm »
Well....the update......number one piston skirt broke in half!!!!!! So no new motor. The motor is out of warranty period. Freind has a (gasp) Jeep grand cherokee I can buy for real cheap for now. Less than a grand.

Thanks for the input.
You guys are the best!
Mark
« Last Edit: February 24, 2010, 06:04:16 pm by Captkaos »
78 Chev. C20HD...9600GVWR, GMCrate 350/290HP, THM400, Dana60-4.10. Daily driver/work in process. Originally a "pipeline special" Custom Deluxe, 1 Ton springs/Brakes/Axles.

Offline Captkaos

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Re: Needs motor?
« Reply #5 on: February 24, 2010, 06:04:33 pm »
For a grand you could have another motor or fix the one you have.

Offline k5blazerfan

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Re: Needs motor?
« Reply #6 on: February 25, 2010, 01:25:17 am »
i would fix it... jeeps suck
Don't forget the tow chain!!! Might have to tow a ford home! :)

Offline Lt.Del

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Re: Needs motor?
« Reply #7 on: February 25, 2010, 10:39:42 am »
i know you need something to drive, hence considering a cheap jeep (hey, that sounds catchy,  i could write a song about 'cheap jeep'), however, you'd just be getting more problems the way it sounds. But like Chris stated, take that same money and put in to a new motor or rebuild your motor.  Got a bicycle?  ;)



Online VileZambonie

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Re: Needs motor?
« Reply #8 on: February 25, 2010, 11:59:48 am »
What year is the Jeep GC? I have one with over 300k original miles. I love my Jeep
,                           ___ 
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              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline Senior1978

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Re: Needs motor?
« Reply #9 on: February 26, 2010, 04:02:11 pm »
In all due respect....It's not the money aspect. It's the time. My business is a mobile business that requires a trailer. The longer I go without, The less I earn. I have moved enough clients the last 4 days. In time senior will more than likely get a rebuilt motor. But for the here and now I'll do the jeep, flip it for cash when I find a more suitable replacement. And to answer your question vile its a 98 with less than 100k. Both him and his wife are unemployed and need money badly. trying to help them also.
Thanks to all that responded
Mark
78 Chev. C20HD...9600GVWR, GMCrate 350/290HP, THM400, Dana60-4.10. Daily driver/work in process. Originally a "pipeline special" Custom Deluxe, 1 Ton springs/Brakes/Axles.

Offline Stewart G Griffin

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Re: Needs motor?
« Reply #10 on: February 27, 2010, 12:18:13 pm »
Did you buy the goodwrench engine new?

Offline Torque454

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Re: Needs motor?
« Reply #11 on: February 28, 2010, 11:16:16 pm »
I'd quit messing with the small blocks and go to a real motor. I wont touch anything less than a BBC anymore. I have had absolutely no luck with ANY SBC/350 after it has been touched internally, or didnt come in the vehicle from the factory. Ive had many rebuilt and "new" 350s from many sources and they were all crap. However, I've never been let down by my 454's.

The only "good" SBCs I ever had was a factory installed 350 in a 77 10 and a 350 in my 89 4x4 suburban and even then I really wasnt that impressed.

I installed a 454 in my 79 C10 now and am very happy with it. Combined with a TH400 and 14 bolt full floater with 4.10s and its a towing monster. I too work my own business that requires me to have a truck to tow my trailer. I cannot be left without a truck. So now I have two trucks. 98 C2500 suburban with a 6.5 diesel (been very good to me) and now my 79 C10 with the 454.