What new engine 5.7L engine to buy?

[84silveradok10]

I have a 1984 Chevy Silverado K-10 SWB with a 700r4 it is carbureted. It came with a 305 originally, but when I bought it it had a 350 2bolt main in it. The 350 in it though is old and tired and its time to replace it with a new engine. I'm going to be buying a crate motor, I have called all around and can get a reman from the auto zone for around 1250 with a 3 year warranty.

???Since the 350 is so universal do I want the one that was made in 84 for my truck originally or is there one from a different year that is stronger or more reliable that will work??? I don't want to go to TBI.

Also any reccomendations on other places to purchase the engine from would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[VileZambonie]

In order to swap your tins etc we'll need to know a few things about your 350. Remember that cheap autozone engine isn't going to have anything fancy about it. What heads are on your engine? What side is the dipstick on? Are they perimeter style valve covers. Do you know if it has a one piece or two piece rear main seal?

Summit Racing is a good place to deal with for engines or Jasper engines

[84silveradok10]

In order to swap your tins etc we'll need to know a few things about your 350. Remember that cheap autozone engine isn't going to have anything fancy about it. What heads are on your engine? What side is the dipstick on? Are they perimeter style valve covers. Do you know if it has a one piece or two piece rear main seal?

I'm not sure what heads are on it... The dipstick is on the passenger side, the valve covers are perimeters, and it is a 2 pc rear main.

I don't mind having to buy new tin really, the main thing I am worried about is preformance and reliability. I will be replaceing the exhaust during the swap also. The main thing I am wondering is if I should be buying a 350 for a 84 chevy k10 or is there a better one for me to get? For example would a 350 out of a 1985 k30 be any different?

Thanks

[VileZambonie]

The differences in years with that engine won't be performance and the k10-k30 won't make a bit of difference. Personally if you don't mind swapping in some new parts I would go with a vortec roller 350. Different intake, flexplate, tins and you may need an electric fuel pump if you went that route.

What kind of performance are you after?

[84silveradok10]

What would be the requirements to go to swap a vortec roller 350 and what did they come in. What are the pro's and cons over the stock 350 engine. This is my DD so I'm looking for reliabilty, mpg, but do go out playing at times in the mud.

[VileZambonie]

Quoted fro wikipedia

5700
The Vortec 5700 L31 is a V8 truck engine. Displacement is 5.7 L. It is the last production Generation I small-block from Chevrolet. The cylinder heads feature combustion chambers very similar to those of the LT1 V8, but without the reverse-flow cooling. As such, the L31 head is compatible with all older small-blocks, and is a very popular upgrade. It offers the performance of more expensive heads, at a much lower cost. It does, however, require a specific intake manifold (a Vortec head has four bolts attaching the intake manifold as opposed to the traditional six bolts per head). The L31 was replaced by the 5.3 L 5300 LM7. The 2002 model year was the final year for the L31 5.7 L small block V-8 whose origins date back to 1955. The Vortec 5700 produces 255 horsepower (190 kW) and 330 ft·lbf (450 N·m) of torque. It is currently being produced as a crate engine for marine applications and automotive hobbyists as the "ramjet 350" with minor modifications.

L31 applications:

1996-2003 Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana full-size vans
1996-1999 Chevrolet/GMC C/K full-size trucks
1996-1999 Chevrolet Suburban/GMC Suburban full-size long-wheelbase SUVs
1996-1999 Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon (and 2000 Tahoe Limited) full-size short-wheelbase SUVs
1999-2000 Cadillac Escalade
TBI L31 applications

1996 G-Series vans over 8,500 lb (3,856 kg) GVW w/ 4L80E transmission
Special applications

Oscar Mayer Wienermobile
Isuzu Box Trucks

[Lt.Del]

if you decide against the vortec or L31, do what i did, go w/ a 383 stroker. It is a 350 block, so everything will transfer over (alt, a/c, exhaust, power steering, water pump....) It is just stroked out w/ 400cid crank (and flex plate and harmonic balancer)....loads of torque.  They are nicknamed the "stump puller" because of the torque. 
www.delbridge.net/install

[fitz]

 I'm not a huge fan of those autozone motors.
 I had one that I pulled from a  $300 parts truck and installed in my 79 Jimmy.  The motor ran good but from time to time it would bend push rods. It was the type of thing that you could never really trust it. I learned to keep a spare push rod and related tools in the console. Maybe it was just my motor but that was my experience.
 Have you looked into the GM goodwrench 350 . I think they claim 260 HP and sell for under $2000 if you shop around. I've had a few of these over the years and they always seemed to run good. Again, I got these motors out of cheap parts trucks but they seemed like good solid motors for the price.
 There is a buildup of this motor in the technical section on this forum.
  .