Thread: I'm about to buy a Jegs crate 350 - what else will I need?

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Well, I got my old 283 running, but it blows so much smoke and oil out the breather that oil pools in the air cleaner and smoke billows when I come to a stop sign. I figure I might as well bite the bullet and get a good motor in it before I get a "gross polluter" ticket. Plus the idea of 260 hp in my little truck sounds like alot of fun!

I'm looking at the Jegs SBC 350 with 260 hp: Chevrolet Performance 10067353 GM Goodwrench 350ci/260HP Engine & Packages

They sell a kit for $600 more with carb, intake, HEI and some chrome pieces. I don't need the carb, since I've got the exact carb they offer already. I'll buy a performer intake to match my performer 600 cfm carb.

This is the HEI they offer in the kit (price is $79.00): JEGS Performance Products 40002 JEGS Chevy HEI Distributor

Is this a good HEI? This wont be a high revving hot rod motor, just a basic motor that I can romp around in. I guess $79 just sounds to cheap! I've also got a concern about size of the HEI, I've read clearance between the HEI and the firewall can be an issue with the 67-72 chevy/gmc pickups.

What other parts will I need? Balancer? fuel pump? plug wires?

Lastly, I dont have the money for headers and a custom exhaust right now. Will there be any problem running the stock 1967 GMC pickup exhaust manifolds with my 20 year old dual exhaust?

Thanks!

If it was me, I'd probably go for the "complete package".... But that's a decision only you can make. In regards to the distributor question, it looks like a basic GM HEI dizzy and probably an import from offshore. It should be satisfactory for a basic daily driver. hth.

Let's see, you'll need an intake manifold, water pump, carb, harmonic balancer, distributor, intake and water pump gaskets, air cleaner. spark plugs and wires.....at least that's about all I can think of this early in the day!!!! Heck, if I were swapping the engines I'd forget at least 3 things!!!!!!

It would also be a good time for new radiator and heater hoses and motor mounts. Hopefully others will chime in with the things I've forgotten!!!!

Get the motor then figure out what you need for instance the 350 probably will not care if it has the fuel pump on it from the 283, the water pump may also be a match. Compare the parts needed to the parts that are in that 600 add on. For instance again, if the parts you need individually cost 75% of the package deal. You would be money ahead buying the 600 kit and getting a new carb, harmonic balancer is a must.

my $0.02

I looked at that engine along with the fully dressed versions - that additional $6-800 bucks for an almost ready to run engine sure does look enticing vs having to source a NEW $150/175 intake, a $315 carb, a couple hundred in chrome. a $100 distributor, $100 worth of good gaskets, etc. Then the labor, even yours, to install. But of course it IS your money and choice that we like to help you spend

Here's a picture of the nice, complete shiny parts ZZ4 motor I'm selling ...just to give you something to consider:

I wouldn't buy the engine you've picked from JEGS if it were me shopping. It's just a basic transportation build, nothing special, but it has a flat tappet cam and I would not put a flat tappet cam in anything new today considering the situation with lubricating oils. Sure, you might break it in right and be one of the lucky ones, but too many people have ended up with one or two flat lobes after only a month or two, and the particles from the lobe destruction have now trashed every bearing and the rings in the new engine, and maybe the cylinder bores, too. For my money I'd shop for a different crate engine with roller lifters at a minimum, or all a good local machine shop and have them build you a basic 350 from one of their cores.

Originally Posted by rspears

...just a basic transportation build, nothing special...flat tappet cam...

Not sure if you're referring to the ZZ4 or other engine mentioned in this thread. I'm commenting since I don't think ZZ4's have flat tappet cams. Here's a typical description:

...With over 400 ft.-lbs. of torque, the ZZ4s are the best way to put an aluminum head, 4-bolt main block, roller cam, high performance small block between your favorite fenders. The aluminum angle-plug cylinder heads have screw-in rocker studs, 1.94 in. intake and 1.50 in. exhaust valves, and 58cc combustion chambers that yield a crisp and responsive 10:1 compression ratio. Also included are lightweight valve spring retainers, radiused valve seats, and valve stem seals to help keep the oil where it belongs. To complement the cylinder head design, we've incorporated a billet steel hydraulic roller tappet camshaft with a .474 in. intake and .510 in. exhaust valve lift. The combination makes 355 hp at 5,250 rpm and has that great-sounding musclecar idle, with just enough lope to let people know that these are no station wagon engines...

I bought one of those engines with free shipping from Jegs...its a good buy. I used all the bolt on parts from my old engine, but
if you do not have those items I would buy a complete engine.

Don