Jegs sbc advice

[cfan10]

Anyone have any experience with this engine from jegs, my mom wants to buy this as a gift for me as a replacement for my current setup.

https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/059/7353/10002/-1

'84 c10 350 4 bolt/350

[cfan10]

I will be reusing everything from my current engine, alt, water pump, damper, distributor, wires, intake manifold, carb, exhaust manifolds.

New parts I'll replace:

Thermostat
Belts
Plugs
Hoses
Radiator
Motor mounts

[akart]

That engine is a rebuild,has 2 bolt mains and probably rebuilt heads too.I don't know.But it says you will need a new fly wheel or ext balanced flex plate. For not too much more
(500 bucks) you can get a new Chevy Performance engine 4 bolt mains 2 pc rear main seals and you can use your flywheel or flex plate. There is a lot of good said about the new Chevy Performance engine. My next move is to get one of these and stick a better cam in it right off like a Lunati 1012070LK which I have in my truck now and really like it. But all is good there so I'll wait on that. My advise; Spend a couple of bucks more and get the new one.

[Dead Parrot]

If you need a basic reliable motor, that one is a good choice. Bought the same thing years ago and it has done a good job. Mine went into a 75 C10.

Pretty sure that JEGS motor is a new one from Mexico.

Don't reuse that 35 year old damper. The rubber is at or near end of life.

Consider a new water pump unless your current one is fairly new. A lot easier to install when the engine is on a stand as opposed to in the truck.

Same for fuel pump.

Be sure to properly shim the starter while the engine is on the stand. Avoid that nasty gear grinding noise from a misaligned starter/flexplate combo followed a few months later by replacing the flex plate.

[rideair]

Before pulling the trigger, take a look at this Chevy Dealer out of Virginia that sells on eBay. Best prices around, free shipping, etc... all new GM Crate engines, if the link is not what you're looking for, search their page for other model year/engines

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-OEM-GM-...AAAOSwbaxckkQP

Enjoy,

[jocko]

Wait a minute, it's mother's day - shouldn't you be buying your mom an engine! She sounds like a saint, nice mom.
The $1499 engine is a good budget option.
The $2009 engine is interesting (link on the same page as the one you shared), but the only noteworthy advantage in it over the $1499 engine is its 4 bolt mains.

If this is just daily transpo, the $1499 engine is just fine.
But, note that it's based on the 87+ block (1 piece rear main seal), and requires externally balanced flexplate etc. So you can't just swap your current one over. Some things to consider.

Also, a second vote for Radley Chev on ebay (as rideair mentioned), and they have several offerings. Recommend check out their L31R, it's a very nice option, and around $1900+ right now on ebay. Requires a few minor things like electric fuel pump etc - it's worth googling on this site for L31 installs to see all the considerations before pulling the trigger, but it is a great engine for the $.

[kipps]

Originally Posted by jocko

...Recommend check out their L31R, it's a very nice option, and around $1900+ right now on ebay. Requires a few minor things like electric fuel pump etc - it's worth googling on this site for L31 installs to see all the considerations before pulling the trigger, but it is a great engine for the $.

I would second an engine with vortec heads, which this L31 has.

[akart]

Originally Posted by jocko

Wait a minute, it's mother's day - shouldn't you be buying your mom an engine! She sounds like a saint, nice mom.
The $1499 engine is a good budget option.
The $2009 engine is interesting (link on the same page as the one you shared), but the only noteworthy advantage in it over the $1499 engine is its 4 bolt mains.

If this is just daily transpo, the $1499 engine is just fine.
But, note that it's based on the 87+ block (1 piece rear main seal), and requires externally balanced flexplate etc. So you can't just swap your current one over. Some things to consider.

Also, a second vote for Radley Chev on ebay (as rideair mentioned), and they have several offerings. Recommend check out their L31R, it's a very nice option, and around $1900+ right now on ebay. Requires a few minor things like electric fuel pump etc - it's worth googling on this site for L31 installs to see all the considerations before pulling the trigger, but it is a great engine for the $.

And you have to buy a new manifold for those vortec heads which I am not a fan of. I still think the Chevy crate w/the 4 bolt main and 2 pc. seal is the way to go and all your parts bolt right up.

[Matt Man]

I think this is a GM Goodwrench engine seems similar to the one I installed in my 81. The engine is great, despite the oil leaks it has but its a great runner and has tons of low end torque. It's no screamer as its tapped out at 4500 rpm but its smooth, reliable, and great for a truck. I towed 4500 pounds with mine last year when I moved to Idaho and it did great on power. Mine has a edelbrock performer intake, 4bbl quadrajet and ramhorn manifolds.

[kipps]

Originally Posted by akart

And you have to buy a new manifold for those vortec heads which I am not a fan of. I still think the Chevy crate w/the 4 bolt main and 2 pc. seal is the way to go and all your parts bolt right up.

Slotting the center bolt holes should make his existing manifold work, correct?

If not that, I see four-barrel vortec manifolds listed for $130 on ebay with free shipping. $140 for the same thing in aluminum.

[sweetk30]

Originally Posted by rideair

Before pulling the trigger, take a look at this Chevy Dealer out of Virginia that sells on eBay. Best prices around, free shipping, etc... all new GM Crate engines, if the link is not what you're looking for, search their page for other model year/engines

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-OEM-GM-...AAAOSwbaxckkQP

Enjoy,

got mine from them best price to my door and super service . L31 vortec engine .

i have efi so intank pump . had flywheel for the 1-piece design . otherwise bolt in and go minus intake .

i have my like new edelbrock vortec square bore 4 barrel intake sitting here collecting dust . 500 miles on it and painted black is all .

[old Rusty C10]

Ive purchased two of these engines over the years and they were great one went into my 1982 show truck and the other into an El camino I was building... great low buck standard engines

[cfan10]

I have been using an Mr. Gasket electric fuel pump out of the passenger side tank, truck does have dual tanks. Flexplate is what came on the truck when I bought it, so its a good idea to replace it...but other parts such as starter, fuel pump others listed are fairly new, two years old maybe 4k miles since installed. Thanks for all the great advice!