How decent are target motors? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

davidh · 04-22-2005, 03:41 PM

I scored a 30K 350 target motor cheap, I want to change out the timing chain, cam,(266 crane energizer) throw on a 80's aluminum HO intake and 600 carb. How decent were these motors? Were they 50K throw aways? I seldom hear of these "target" motors any more. Do they have 1.84 or 1.94 valves? It's going in my 67 c10 with a 3 on the tree truck. I think it should run well.

**'70_402** · 04-22-2005, 04:21 PM

Whats A Target Motor.?

jhow66 · 04-22-2005, 04:32 PM

GM replacement longblocks. No reason they should not last as long as the orginal motor (same engine that comes stock in GM cars and trucks).

**StingRay** · 04-22-2005, 04:40 PM

Probably a 4 bolt block with some lighter casting 194 heads. The block I just rebuilt was a target master that I ran for over a hundred thou. I however did have older heavier heads on it.

blazerparts · 04-22-2005, 06:08 PM

Target motors........Kmart motors........wal mart motors..........

davidh · 04-22-2005, 07:17 PM

Mine was a blue light special at $100.

*Randy70C-10* · 04-22-2005, 09:28 PM

"Mexican motors". They actually are build with some heavy duty stuff and a strong engine block. Streetrodders use them all the time.

RON WOODGEARD · 04-22-2005, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy70C-10

"Mexican motors". They actually are build with some heavy duty stuff and a strong engine block. Streetrodders use them all the time.

Yes,,,, And the heads that come with them have better cooling runners internally...
The motor comes with 8 or 8:1 Compression, Large CC chamber heads.. They are a great long block. especially of you're going to throw it in and run it.....

Fred T · 04-23-2005, 04:32 AM

Dad put one in his 78 van. It had more power than the original, and lasted longer.

*dtlilly* · 04-23-2005, 06:01 AM

About 10 years ago, I had one in my 85 Chevy SWB, and put over 100,000 on it in 3 years, and I didn't treat it very well either. I did a lot of street light to street light racing, some long trips, and missed a few oil changes along the way. She started to clatter and burn some oil after I over revved it for the 100+ time (collapsed a lifter).

purple gas · 04-23-2005, 05:30 PM

20 yrs ago my buddy bought a "target master" motor, From a GM dealership I think. I may be out to lunch but I was under the assumption that it was a brand new motor and basically what we now refer to as "Crate Motor's". All new parts with a warranty from the factory. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on details. But if I'm correct if it does have 30 k on it and hasn't been re-built it should last a long time.

Eddie H. · 04-23-2005, 06:29 PM

I was working at a Chevy dealer in the early 80's around the time that GM first came out with the "Target Master 350". I thought it was a corny sounding name, but except for some quality control problems on the first
production runs, it was a decent engine for the price. You could get a complete NEW longblock for around $750. We installed hundreds of them in fleet vehicles with very few problems.

**Boog** · 04-24-2005, 08:18 AM

So is the $750 Target Master engine still sold through GM as such or has it turned into the standard GM crate engine they sell today for around $1300?
I think I heard these crate engines are also made in Mex.

Eddie H. · 04-24-2005, 12:17 PM

You are correct. The basic $1300 crate engine that they sell today is just a newer version of the old target master engines. I don't know for sure, but I think they're still made in Mexico. Factoring in inflation, they still cost about the same as what $750 was in 1980.

tmcgrawlookalike · 04-24-2005, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidh

Mine was a blue light special at $100.

i know you state it only has 30k on it,but i`m concerned about the time that it possibly has sat with the term your stating as a `target` engine.it has been a LONG,LONG time since gm called/labeled the valve cover with that name.alot of work to find out it needs a refreshing because of stuck rings/hard seals,etc.....

davidh · 04-24-2005, 01:45 PM

It was in a 73 1/2 ton bought from a farm auction. As you know the 73,74 were horrible for rust. We decided to part out the truck. I have not started the motor. The field mice had got to the wiring under the distributor from the module. I plan on putting a timing chain, pulling the intake gasket and few other things to freshen it up. It will replace the 292 with 198K on it.

davidh · 04-28-2005, 12:42 AM

motor has sat for 10yrs but it turns over fine. I think everything will set back up. rings, seals etc. I'm thinking of the 266 crane energizer cam, with the 3speed manual, 3.73 gears my old 67 should have some zip..

skokie · 04-28-2005, 12:51 AM

I got one in my 68. Bought it from my bro n law that said it had 10k miles on it. I probably have put another 3k on it and no problems at all.

04-22-2005, 03:41 PM	#1
davidh Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ponca city now kingfisher Oklahoma Posts: 1,220	How decent are target motors? I scored a 30K 350 target motor cheap, I want to change out the timing chain, cam,(266 crane energizer) throw on a 80's aluminum HO intake and 600 carb. How decent were these motors? Were they 50K throw aways? I seldom hear of these "target" motors any more. Do they have 1.84 or 1.94 valves? It's going in my 67 c10 with a 3 on the tree truck. I think it should run well.

04-22-2005, 04:21 PM	#2
'70_402 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Pampa, Texas Posts: 1,553	Whats A Target Motor.? __________________ https://www.ebay.com/itm/29620574751...mis&media=COPY

04-22-2005, 04:32 PM	#3
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	GM replacement longblocks. No reason they should not last as long as the orginal motor (same engine that comes stock in GM cars and trucks). __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

04-22-2005, 04:40 PM	#4
StingRay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Saskatoon,SK,Canada Posts: 2,476	Probably a 4 bolt block with some lighter casting 194 heads. The block I just rebuilt was a target master that I ran for over a hundred thou. I however did have older heavier heads on it. __________________ Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada

04-22-2005, 06:08 PM	#5
blazerparts No,I DON'T have Tourett's Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 556	Target motors........Kmart motors........wal mart motors.......... __________________ '72 K5 CST 350/350 Daily Driver '69 GMC3500 Camper Special CST Flatbed 396/400 Upgraded to show truck '69 GMC 2500 L6292, 3spd beater

04-22-2005, 07:17 PM	#6
davidh Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ponca city now kingfisher Oklahoma Posts: 1,220	target Mine was a blue light special at $100.

04-22-2005, 09:28 PM	#7
Randy70C-10 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A. Posts: 15,320	"Mexican motors". They actually are build with some heavy duty stuff and a strong engine block. Streetrodders use them all the time.

04-23-2005, 04:32 AM	#9
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	Dad put one in his 78 van. It had more power than the original, and lasted longer. __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

04-23-2005, 06:01 AM	#10
dtlilly Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Shadow of Lambeau Field Posts: 5,597	About 10 years ago, I had one in my 85 Chevy SWB, and put over 100,000 on it in 3 years, and I didn't treat it very well either. I did a lot of street light to street light racing, some long trips, and missed a few oil changes along the way. She started to clatter and burn some oil after I over revved it for the 100+ time (collapsed a lifter).

04-23-2005, 05:30 PM	#11
purple gas Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: saskatoon, planet earth Posts: 696	20 yrs ago my buddy bought a "target master" motor, From a GM dealership I think. I may be out to lunch but I was under the assumption that it was a brand new motor and basically what we now refer to as "Crate Motor's". All new parts with a warranty from the factory. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on details. But if I'm correct if it does have 30 k on it and hasn't been re-built it should last a long time. __________________ I got a bench seat baby, you don't have to sit over there.

04-23-2005, 06:29 PM	#12
Eddie H. Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Paradise TX USA Posts: 1,200	I was working at a Chevy dealer in the early 80's around the time that GM first came out with the "Target Master 350". I thought it was a corny sounding name, but except for some quality control problems on the first production runs, it was a decent engine for the price. You could get a complete NEW longblock for around $750. We installed hundreds of them in fleet vehicles with very few problems. __________________ "Negative people always seem to have a problem for every solution"

04-24-2005, 08:18 AM	#13
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,544	target masters So is the $750 Target Master engine still sold through GM as such or has it turned into the standard GM crate engine they sell today for around $1300? I think I heard these crate engines are also made in Mex. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

04-24-2005, 12:17 PM	#14
Eddie H. Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Paradise TX USA Posts: 1,200	You are correct. The basic $1300 crate engine that they sell today is just a newer version of the old target master engines. I don't know for sure, but I think they're still made in Mexico. Factoring in inflation, they still cost about the same as what $750 was in 1980. __________________ "Negative people always seem to have a problem for every solution"

04-24-2005, 01:45 PM	#16
davidh Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ponca city now kingfisher Oklahoma Posts: 1,220	target motor It was in a 73 1/2 ton bought from a farm auction. As you know the 73,74 were horrible for rust. We decided to part out the truck. I have not started the motor. The field mice had got to the wiring under the distributor from the module. I plan on putting a timing chain, pulling the intake gasket and few other things to freshen it up. It will replace the 292 with 198K on it.

04-28-2005, 12:42 AM	#17
davidh Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ponca city now kingfisher Oklahoma Posts: 1,220	target motor has sat for 10yrs but it turns over fine. I think everything will set back up. rings, seals etc. I'm thinking of the 266 crane energizer cam, with the 3speed manual, 3.73 gears my old 67 should have some zip..



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04-28-2005, 12:51 AM	#18
skokie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose Ca. Posts: 3,354	I got one in my 68. Bought it from my bro n law that said it had 10k miles on it. I probably have put another 3k on it and no problems at all. __________________ RIP to my son Dylan. 5/17/2002 - 8/18/2018 If you want to know more about rare forms of pediatric cancer or if you want to help fund pediatric cancer research, please check out the website for the non-profit I started. https://slothforpedcancer.org 68 build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=223234

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