HELP! rebuilding an engine on $900?

[ironwood]

I have been surfing the web for hours and my eyes are tired. I have been looking at hundreds of rebuild kits and can't make up my mind. This search is hard because the 350 is the most widely used motor in the world (if I even had to tell you guys). But my problem begins at my budget $900 is not very much, but all I need is a good daily driver with decent mileage (for a V-8). So any of your help would be nice.
I did find a kit on a certain site (su**it racing) it was only $329 camr with forged pistons,all bearings, gasket kit, lube, rings, freeze plugs and a cam --problem is I want to choose my own cam.??? help thanks

[Slonaker]

If you have that much to spend, I would be tempted to buy a Goodwrench engine new from GM. They should be under $1500 shipped or local, and come with a good warranty. That is exactly what I plan to do when my tired old 305 bites the dust.

Perhaps you can sell off your old engine for a few hundred, and get yourself up near the purchase price of the new 350.

Slonaker

[alf4444]

I just bought the GM universal 350 and it just happened to have dropped in price when GM started their rebuild program. They do require a cor but even with the $100 core charge I was out the door with a brand new 350 for under 1500. Here is a link

http://www.greenwoodchevy.com/engine14.htm

another plus is it came with a killer warrenty, try getting that with a rebuild

[Tom]

get the block tanked, maged, and bored/honed
get new pistons/rings/bearings/gaskets and a cheap cam
get some rebuilt stock heads cheap from, well anyone
Re-use main bolts, get new rod bolts.
re-use all other bolts
new stock oil pump
Nothing fancy! You should be just able to do it for $900.

[Slonaker]

http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?act...id=128&pid=110

$1279 plus shipping, here.

Slonaker

[Trick76]

Summit sells a rebuild kit less cam for 199 bucks. Comes with all gaskets, oil pump, pistons, and bearings. Add a cam for about 100-150, your machine work, some rod bolts and have your heads gone through, and you should still come in under budget. Assuming your block and crank are ok that is. This would force you to use your stock carb, but a rebuild kit isn't that much. If you want a hi-perf carb you will have to pony up a few more bucks.You could easily add this later though, when you had more dough. I did a stock rebuild on a Ford 400M for about 1000 bucks (which included a new clutch and pressure plate) pretty easily. And we all know that Chevy parts are cheaper

Derek

[PHOENIX]

When my 305 died on me, I knew I needed something dependable and with a warranty to get me to and from work. I hate depending on other people for rides, it gets old fast and you feel like your inconviencing (?) them (which you most likely are). Anyway I had a few hundred bones and a father willing to loan me the rest. I bought a new crate 350 with the money and loan from my dad. My dad also got a couple hundred buck off,because he had a friend at the dealer. I replaced a gang of stuff when the 350 went in and it still didnt cost me $1500, I got some good deals all around though. The 350 works great to this day, will be 4 years in April/May. My father and I installed the 350 in my driveway in (2) 1/2 days. Warranty if you install it yourself is 3 years, if they (GM authorized) installs it, its 36000 (i think) or 3 years what ever comes first. I say install it yourself and youll save alot of cash there too. Going with a crate motor is good for so many reasons, like warranty. Plus if you install it and you have any problems (internal or leaks) after that, they do the work at their cost. If they have to pull the motor and replace it, its all their cost.

If it came down to it again, I think I would still get a crate motor, just a more powerful one. Like the 385hp/385 torque.