crate engine help

[usflyboy64d]

Hey y'all I've got a 1982 k10 that i am in the process of the parts buying stage to restore. My plan is to get the drive line right and ready to go and then work on the body/interior. The engine that came in my truck when i bought it was the cheep GM casting # 10066036. It is starting to white smoke at first crank which leaves me to believe that the rings are shot. The true milage of the truck is unknown. The truck came with a factor 305 so I'm grateful that they swapped it out to a 350. Anyway I'm looking at replacing the tired worn gm crate with a new turn key crate. I have put some serious thought and research in to what i am looking for. I want at least 320hp to the wheels and all the tq i can get. I would like the tq to be in the 400 ft lb range. I have looked at the Phoenix 1014 engine.....http://www.phoenixengine.com/Chevy-20.html ...... and was wondering if anyone has bought engines from them before and what they thought about the company. I would like to keep the total cost of the turnkey engine around 4,000.00. I still have about 9 months before i order cause i am in Afghanistan, so i have time to do more research, but this seems to fit the bill. Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated. i also will be running it with a th350 and a np203 transfercase, it will be sitting on 35 inch tires as well. thanks again for the advice.

[beastie_3]

thought about a 383? way more torque...and since you already have a 350, all the external parts will swap over.

[usflyboy64d]

i have but looking to stay at under 4000$. and i want to have all the exteranls replaced as well, looks like everything on that motor is cheap but i got the truck for 1200$ with minimal rust so i cant complain too much. i knew when i bought the truck everything was going to get replaced.

[jaredts]

If its only blowing a puff of smoke at startup its likely only your valve guides/seals.  Buy some upgraded heads and put the remaining $3000+ toward something else.  If you want a torque monster you'll need a 383 or 400.  You could easily put a fresh 383 in it for under $4000.  If by "externals" you're just talking about water pump, harmonic balancer, upgrade ignition, plug wires, I think you could still swing it on your budget.

[beastie_3]

check out sgtdel profile, he did a 383 swap

[beastie_3]

http://www.delbridge.net/install

[usflyboy64d]

thanks for the link but do you know where he got the engine from? i was trying to find it but not succesful. any other links to crate engines eaither 350, 383, or 400 would be awsome. thanks

[usflyboy64d]

just found this http://www.precisionengine.com/rebuilt-engines/chevy-gmc-crate-engines/suburban383.html  wondering if it sounds like a good deal, its in price range and the top end stuff is too easy to come buy.

[jaredts]

Search ebay for tuffdawg engines.  That's where SgtDel got his and I was considering them as well.  They have a nice line of 383's and 350's for decent prices.

[usflyboy64d]

thanks i will be looking into those as well.

[1980c10]

Have you checked with local machine shops? i considered a crate engine but I was able to get a lot more engine, built to my specs for a lot less than a crate engine. about 2k for 393 hp and 432 tq  350 assembled machined block heads balanced and dynoed and internal parts. I installed the intake, carb, dist wires etc before the dyno. If you have someone who can check around for you that may be a better way to go.

[usflyboy64d]

in my area (the fort hood area) there are not too many machine shops, plus the ones that are there i dont really trust. i have heard nothing but bad things from other guys who have gotten work done by them. thats why i was leaning towards a crate engine. thanks for the idea but i have already looked into that route.

[sbx22]

I was kind of in your position. I've ordered one from tuffdawg engines on eBay, still waiting, 8 weeks and counting. He said 6 weeks to assemble, yet I'm still waiting. Darl is pretty good at responding to my e-mails, however I find that he's not very informative in his replies. I'll try to keep you posted.

[usflyboy64d]

sbx thanks for the reply, let me know how the engine turns out and how long it takes to get to you. i have plenty of time as i stated i am in afgan. so i can order as early as 6 months out if i have too as long as the price is good and it is a good product.

[sbx22]

It was a long 11 1/2 weeks, but my rebuilt 350 is finally here. I'll probably be making a thread somewhere and will be posting pics of my build.