Thread: Lookin for a lil help about a Chevy 350 (sorrta long)

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Hello all,

Im new to the forum. I currently drive a 2002 Regal GS which is my lil toy but I am about to buy a 1980 Regal off of a coworker. It already has a 350 in it from a 1980 Suburban and a Chevy 350 Trans also from the same orginal vehicle. However the motor does not turn over and I was looking for everyones opnion.

Should I take that motor that is already in there and try to re-build it. Or should I search around for a new or already re-built 350 and just put that in. If I do buy a new motor do I need to worry bout which one's will bolt up to the trans?

Which one do you guys recomend for a college student on a budget? And also if you recomend the build any suggestions on where I can get everything i'll need or if a new motor anyone know of a good place with good prices.

Also anyone in the Troy, Michigan area that might be willing to do the work for me? (Can do it myself but not to familiar with this motor)

Sorry for such a long post, but thanks in advance.

Maanav

You might want to check with your local chebbie dealer for a crate motor. Some can be had for less than it costs to rebuild one. Another plus, they come with a warranty. JMO

"College student", to me, equals little time to devote to a project and little money to spend. Although others on this board will dispute this, I won't even crack a head bolt on a motor unless I have $1,000 to devote to the rebuild and that's a simple rebuild, nothing fancy. Then, you have to have a dedicated place to do the rebuild that can be tied up for the time it takes. If you're not familiar with the motor you're rebuilding, that means even more time finding reference material and reading about how to do it. Then there are the tools needed to do the job properly.

If I were in your position, I'd check with the wrecking yards in your area for a good, used motor that is complete and capable of running as is. Have them do a compression test for you and pass on it if any of the cylinders read less than 130 psi. All you will need to change the motor are basic hand tools, a large diameter catch pan to drain the radiator and a cherry picker which can be rented from a rental store.

Any small block V8 from 1955 through 1985 can be bolted to the TH350 trans, but I'd look for a motor from '75 to '85 so that the brackets and such from the '80 motor will have a better chance of bolting up.

I might expect to pay around $500 to $600 for such a motor. Prices in your area may vary.

Ok, I will have to look into this soon. I am a college student but 1000 dollars is not going to be an issue. I have a decent amount of money set away for this car, just want to weigh my options and see which one is still the cheapest because well everyone loves to save money.