Wanting suggestions about engine overhaul

[Rapid Roy]

74 C10 LWB 350/TH350. Has original 350. Want to overhaul and use original block, if possible, and also want to modify to give it more kick. What do you recommend? Bore over, cam, heads, headers? Would also like to stay with carburetor. I have not had an engine that has needed overhaul before.

TIA

[FlatBlack77]

how much are you looking to spend? are you looking to give it some kick just for fun or for towing/hauling?

[Rapid Roy]

Do not have an idea of cost, of course, don't want to spend more than needed. Want the extra kick for fun. Not planning on doing very much towing/hauling. Truck is primarily a daily driver/cruiser.

[Irish_Alley]

do you need a new motor or do you want to work on the one you have now?

[Rapid Roy]

Not sure if I need a new motor or overhaul. Found left  head gasket leaking coolant on rear. Plus have pan, front main, rear main or all leaking. Not sure jut yet what all is leaking. In process of diagnosing leaks. This is why I do not know which route is best, or cheapest.

[gunrac]

If your farming out this job, it could be pretty costly. Economically, and quicker way to get in your truck and go.......a crate motor would be the way to go, IMO.  approx. 1500. + you get the guarantee.     

[Irish_Alley]

about 2k for the crate and a cam change should get you about 400 hp/tq. rich has the setup

[Stewart G Griffin]

Anyone thinking of getting a crate engine better act fast because i think papa Trump is going put big tariffs on ANYTHING made in Mexico.

Not trying to get political here, this is just my gut feeling and observation.  Thank you.

[roundhouse]

Anyone thinking of getting a crate engine better act fast because i think papa Trump is going put big tariffs on ANYTHING made in Mexico.

Not trying to get political here, this is just my gut feeling and observation.  Thank you.

Unfortunately it Needs to be done
To keep every last job we have from going to Mexico or China
But it needs to be done gradually

But it will also have to be done thru congress and the only time they work fast is when they are voting themselves another raise or taking bribes , uh I mean campaign donations from lobbyists


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[Stewart G Griffin]

What carb did the truck come with?

[Rapid Roy]

Carter (Rochester) 4BBL. Quadrajet.

[Stewart G Griffin]

Why do you want to rebuild the original engine?

[Rapid Roy]

Found out definitely have front and rear main seal leak. Left head gasket leak at rear. Was not sure which route to take. I could have all leaks repaired. Heads redone and will not have any leaks. I was told by technicians over 20 years ago, that if you had the heads redone, that it more than likely would start burning oil cause it would cause more compression to piston and cause the old piston oil seals to leak and burn oil. I am not sure that this will happen, but I can imagine that it could. Then I would need an overhaul to repair. So, with a new crate engine, I would not have to deal with that.

[Stewart G Griffin]

Ok, so the stock 350 (ls9/lm1) with 4 barrel for 74 was making about 160hp@3800 and 250tq@2400rpm.

If you are going to go crate, then i actually recommend this 305:

http://www.jegs.com/p/Chevrolet-Performance/GM-Goodwrench-1996-2002-Truck-305ci-230HP-50L-Engine/2814064/10002/-1

The basic 350 crate is not bad, but this one has roller lifters, higher compression etc.

i think this will give you a little more power while maybe getting a little better mpg.

[75gmck25]

I would recommend this GM 350 engine  instead of the 305 recommended earlier by Stewart.   Its got 4 bolt mains, Vortec heads and a mild roller cam. 
http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Performance/809/12530283/10002/-1. 

You could get close to 300 hp out of this engine by just adding long tube headers with duals, and a good dual plane intake and carb.  If you swapped in an RV cam you should be able to get at least another 20-30 hp and still have a very smooth drive on the street.

Bruce