anyone running a crate 350/290hp ?

[yote1234]

thinking about installing a 350/290 hp crate engine. will this up my performance from the original 350? and any one experience any problems with this engine. after all 1800.00 is a good price for a new! 4 bolt engine ... another thing will i be able to direct bolt up all assesories? power
steering,intake? exhaust? you know...

[Wrenchbender Ret]

Its basicaly the same as the 260 HP with a little more cam. Ive used many of those with great results. They are made to cover many replacements. They have dipstick holes on both sides & timing tangs for both size dampers. They have all the mounting holes. Great buy. You cant build one for that.

[yote1234]

Originally Posted by Wrenchbender Ret

Its basicaly the same as the 260 HP with a little more cam. Ive used many of those with great results. They are made to cover many replacements. They have dipstick holes on both sides & timing tangs for both size dampers. They have all the mounting holes. Great buy. You cant build one for that.

but will my intake bolt up?

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Mine did. I love my crate engine in my daily driven k-5

[yote1234]

Originally Posted by FRENCHBLUE72

Mine did. I love my crate engine in my daily driven k-5

did you notice a jump in performance? over the stock 350?

[Wrenchbender Ret]

It'l fit & everything will bolt up on everything you have except the Honda. Ive often wondered how the 290 will work with an automatic trans. but guys on the websites say they work fine with that cam.

[Jim_PA]

The 290 horse is way overcammed for a low compression 350.

I would get the 260 over the 290 any day.

[d3mon]

The 290hp 12499529 is not a good choice for a truck or any heavier vehicle. As previously mentioned the compression is on the low side for a cam this big. To get this engine to run optimal in a pickup with stock size tires (31"), it would require a 2000-2500rpm stall converter and 3.73-4.10 gearing. You would be much happier with P/N 10067353 if your just looking for a replacement engine. This engine is rated from GM at 190-210 using stock manifolds etc, I have seen it advertised from 230-260hp using performance manifolds and a good carb. The 10067353 will give you the power down low where you can really use it. This doesn't mean that everyone will be unhappy with the 12499529 in a heavier vehicle. It all depends on converter, gearing, tire size, and personal preference/experience.

Another benefit to running the 10067353 in your 72 is that it would carry the 3yr/100k mile warranty as opposed to the 2yr/50k mile warranty on the performance version.

If you are looking for a performance engine I would look at the 350HO or ZZ4, though the price is higher. If you want to wake up your existing engine (assuming its lower end is in ok shape) bolt on a set of 12558060 vortec heads, and a vortec Air-Gap intake from Edelbrock.

[jwmdnm]

I installed the crate 350/290 engine in my 67 Stepside Shortie a few months back and couldn't be more pleased. It has a delicious idle, is smooth off the line (with the 3 speed standard transmission) and runs well on grade 87 octane gasoline.

I installed the Edlebrock carb/manifold/valve covers to make it pretty along with some SS shortie headers and glass packs. Looks good, sounds good and has more than enough hp for me.

I hope this helps with your decision.

Jim

[yote1234]

thanks for all the input.... its helpfull. dave

[QKENUF4U]

loved both my 260hp GM GOODWRENCH motors ive used .....man i was buying them for 1200$ when i did the swaps.....

[byrd]

my truck had a crate motor in it when I got it, how do you tell if it is the 260 or the 290?
I can give my opinion of loving the motor when I find out which one it is!!! LOL

['72customdeluxe]

The 290 shouldn't idle smoothly. The 260 will be like a stock motor

[sleepertruck72]

I doubt these trucks had that much horsepower back then, you should see some power difference. As for the accesories, power steering bolted up to my crate engine, as did exhaust manifolds. I would think intake would bolt up. Mine had it installed. I got the 350H.O. only because the ZZ4 was too rich for my blood at the time. I would say go for the 290 H.P. It should be reliable enough. Good luck with your engine choice !

[packers05]

Personally I would prefer you go local and get a motor built for the same money with some personality,I install crate motors in taurus's and mustangs cause who cares!!!

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by packers05

Personally I would prefer you go local and get a motor built for the same money with some personality,I install crate motors in taurus's and mustangs cause who cares!!!

If it's anything like my area, that option is great if you don't mind standing in a long line.

My buddy is researching everything for swapping a new sbc into his sons 68. Our local, reputable builder has quite a waiting list. His motors are spec built, but the cost is as much or more than the crate so we're looking @ that 290hp 350 as an option.

[d3mon]

Originally Posted by byrd

how do you tell if it is the 260 or the 290?

The Goodwrench 350 (p/n 10067353) will have a stamping on the pad in front of the right head that ends in "VP", the GMPP version (p/n 12499529) will have a similar looking stamping but will end in "H04".

Both engines are identical except for the 290hp has a bigger cam, costs more, and has a shorter warranty.

[MotoPhotog]

Originally Posted by jwmdnm

I installed the crate 350/290 engine in my 67 Stepside Shortie a few months back and couldn't be more pleased. It has a delicious idle, is smooth off the line (with the 3 speed standard transmission) and runs well on grade 87 octane gasoline.

I installed the Edlebrock carb/manifold/valve covers to make it pretty along with some SS shortie headers and glass packs. Looks good, sounds good and has more than enough hp for me.

I hope this helps with your decision.

Jim

Hi Jim, are you running the 600 cfm edelbrock?

[Sicklajoie]

Originally Posted by MotoPhotog

Hi Jim, are you running the 600 cfm edelbrock?

Jim hasn't been on this site in over 5 1/2 years.

[truckster]

Originally Posted by Wrenchbender Ret

It'l fit & everything will bolt up on everything you have except the Honda.

I don't know, I think you could make it work on the Honda. I'd worry more about the Bell 204.

[Mmorgan32]

I have the 190 an edelbrock intake and carb no headers and it idles very smooth and has a nice little lope to it. I have ordinal exhaust manifolds and power steering set up too. My truck is a 3/4 ton and it moves pretty good. Itll burn the tires. No crazy burn outs but still does it. It tosses u back in the seat a little. It gets up and goes pretty good when I nail it. My 72 had the original 350 with the same intake and carb no headers and I think my current truck has more power and it's a long bed 3/4. If that helps at all