If you still have a good block to work with a machine shop can make it brand new. That isn't anywhere close to 8k.... is it? (it's been a minute since I did that) With that "new" trans? The best option is probably the least expensive too.
To Skylark-72, We’re not grilling you or trying to dissuade you on your dilemma….. LS or Buick, we’re just pointing out facts and truths. Urban lore is “drop in an LS and you got 400 hp right off the rip” My ‘09 Tahoe has a 5.3 with 6 speed and 3.42 gear…. TURD! My wife has an ‘08 Tahoe 5.3 4 speed and 3.73 gear, it’s much better, so that’s telling me there’s NO LOW END TORQUE, and a deeper gear is needed!
I've never had a built 350 sbb...drove plenty of stock ones including the 315hp version....they are It will they are dual pattern
My opinion find a reputable machine shop and rebuild the 350. Oil mods TA Timing cover and the right combination will very pleasing. Also the Buick purists won’t beat you up. LOL I built my 350 for a few reasons. One because my first car was an original 350 GS 4 speed and also I wanted to be different than the rest.
Yeah, different than the rest and I see 350's are coming up. take my note, it can last a long time with a good beating.
Last summer,I literally gave 2 350 motors away. Had 3 others that I had no interest in..They are probably brake rotors for a Tesla now... 3 of the 4 motors ran well and no smoking issues. I just got rid of my 350 motors as I have 9 455's and 1 430.There surely is someone who can get you a decent 350.
LOLOL, seems were having a discussion amongst ourselves What happened to Skylark-72, did he bail on us?
Ha Hahaha didn’t bail! Been busy. Love all the input! I’m gonna see if I get it turning on sunday. I found a machine shop so it looks like I will just rebuild the original motor, if needed, most likely. Appreciate the feed back and didn’t even factor other things like tank, electrical stuff, etc. I’ll keep yall posted. Thank you!
Love it! Really brought the car to life. I got the firm shift package which is firm, next time I might just go stock firmness but I also like the kick when shifting gears.
I’m gonna see on Sunday if it will turn. It has been sitting for about 5 months. It wasn’t underload when it seized so I’m not sure how bad the damage was. Hoping not to bad, end result will eventually be a rebuild on the original motor with input from others.
I think your long term plan should be a rebuild of that engine. In the meantime, look for a used runner. They’re cheap enough that it’d be worth a weekend and a borrowed or rented truck (and even a hotel room) to run get one. If you say 400 miles is doable (each way, there and back on a Saturday/Sunday) that opens up a lot of territory. Find someone who’ll meet you and you have a lot of area to search. Patrick
You may only need a hone, rings, bearings and oil mods. There may be sludge clogging the oil pickup. Could have been the issue. Take it apart and get familiar with your 350.
Also, if you get a runner to swap in for the mean time, you can drive the car while you get the other engine rebuilt at your leisure. Then, you have spare parts if you find something that isn't good on the original engine. With some breathing room, you may take your time, acquire parts as your finances and opportunities arise. You'll have time to do all the oil mods, get TA back-grooved cam bearings, etc. I snagged used Hooker headers, new cam kit and aluminum intake for 1/2 price from folks that had changed directions. Not as easy as a 455 but still stuff out there. I recently rebuilt my 71 350 and the machine work was minimal though it took longer than expected. It only needed a clean up. The rods and mains were standard and the bores only needed honing. I decked the block to get the pistons to be closer to the deck and used shaved heads to get a true 9:1 compression ratio. With a TA-212 cam, it has a mild lope and really improved the power. This was a startup after we got the headers on and the cam broken in. This is my wife driving it for the first time. It's a 4-speed car.
Finding a 350 that runs cannot be that difficult or expensive. $500 would be a big price to pay for a decent junkyard engine that you can drop in over the weekend. Then take your time on the rebuild of your existing engine and if you want more go with the TA heads, roller cam, etc. Or, you could put a big block in it. Jim
