Engine Life

[Tazman]

I am hoping some of you can help with this.My truck just turned 170,000 miles and I have started wondering how much longer before I replace the motor.It runs great does have a little oil blow by (blue smoke) once in awhile.Spent some money to help it run better and breath easier,all in all it's working just fine.Just wondering if I should start looking around for a new motor.Thanks and a Happy New Year to everyone 

[zieg85]

If you do preventive maintenance the engine should last a long time.  Mileage really doesn't mean a whole lot nowadays with the better quality oils.  My cousin has just about 300K on his, still runs great..  My $.02

[Blazin]

I had 227,000 on the one in my 86 when i replaced it. It ran great, smoked a little, it was just getting tired.

[VileZambonie]

My old Jeep has over 300K on the original driveline, burns a little oil but runs strong. I would say you have a nice seasoned eninge there. When the time comes give it a rebuild.

[Captkaos]

My 90 Suburban has 380,000 on it and its a TBI 350.  Smokes a tad on startup, but I can get in it and go anywhere and not think twice.  Strange as it was not like this when I acquired it.

[1979C20]

My engine had a spun bearing when I bought it with 62k original miles. I rebuilt it and its been running strong for 4k miles.

[bake74]

     Do a compression check on the engine, this will tell you a lot.  You might even get away with a partial rebuild instead of a full rebuild and can last you for another 200,000 miles before you need a full rebuild.

[Lt.Del]

my 91 sub has over 200k now and she still runs like a champ and doesnt use oil.  I do, however, worry about the timing chain.  I don't worry about anything else about it--it's more than paid for itself.  I just know timing chains don't last forever. And when those go, that truck aint movin.  I hate the thought of being stranded. 

[Stewart G Griffin]

i think about this alot too----pls see my thread entitled, "If you think honda and toyota are king."

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,19812.0.html

i now have 307K on the car.   i don't think gas engines are supposed to last this long, so it worries me.

i think about the timing chain too, but don't they make noise before they go?  Hopefully?   i think if the engine has seen steady state cruising with out too much rpm fluctuation and/or hi-rpm then it should last quite a while?


Oh P.S.  We actually had a timing chain on our family's bonneville go out----AND IT STILL RAN!   It could only do about 3-5 mph but it still ran.  i have no idea how.   i guess the intake and exhaust valves on one or more of the cylinders were just at the right position to allow some combustion.  The tech at the dealer said that the valves will "float" when this happens (?).

[gcochran223]

I believe its hit and miss and all maintenance for longevity. I have seen them spin bearings at 80k with a hard life or a few at 300k untouched.

[fitz]

Im with the Lieutenant on this one. These motors can last a long time, but I also get concerned with the timming chains. I know at one point gm used the plastic gears (late 70's???). Those motors were lucky to hit 100k without the chain jumping. I've had a few TBI 350 motors go well past 200k with the original chains. Id say yours has plenty of life left in it.

[Red 83]

My '83 only has 109k and it's already on it's second engine. On the other hand, I used to have a 1984 Oldsmobile Delta 88 with a 307 that had 244k on it when I sold it. My uncle has a '79 Bonneville that has over 300k, but the rearend went out.

Your engine has a lot of life left in it.

[gwgdog66]

My 87 GMC 350 TBI Sierra Classic has 380,000+ on it. Just recently had to replace the head gaskets (One blew) I went ahead and put new seals in the heads (slight smoke every once in a while when it started) I also replaced the timing chain and oil pan gasket while I had it torn down that far.

This truck has had the oil changed every 3500 to 4000 miles since it was new. I would say you have some miles left in it, especially if you know the service history.