MC1970U Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 Hi all, Well got the interior done late summer, installed new wheels/tires mid winter and now its time to address the engine on the wife's 70 Monte. The engine performs really well but uses too much, though there are no signs of exactly where its going, oil between changes. Any good/better/best options within the currant Crate engine offerings that would match up well for with a factory 300hp car? The only none original parts are a DUI HEI distributor and Powermaster starter. I would have the original engine rebuilt but I would like to go easier on myself this time around. Thanks for the help, spoony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RealRed70 Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 What will you do with the original? If you are just going to stick it in a corner somewhere, why not just rebuild it? The factory 300 horse power engine is a great engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ripleydale Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 Nothing wrong with rebuilding the original, that's for sure. I do love that 330 hp crate 350 from GM with the vortex heads. You can buy it very complete. I put one in my Camaro and it is a blast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC1970U Posted April 24, 2017 Author Share Posted April 24, 2017 What will you do with the original? If you are just going to stick it in a corner somewhere, why not just rebuild it? The factory 300 horse power engine is a great engine. Hate to say it but that's exactly what I was planning on doing with it. I am really happy with the engine, other than oil consumption, but don't want to go thru the headache, expense, cheap parts and time loss of another "pro rebuild". Nothing wrong with rebuilding the original, that's for sure. I do love that 330 hp crate 350 from GM with the vortex heads. You can buy it very complete. I put one in my Camaro and it is a blast. I would like to rebuild but it was just too painful last time around. Do you have a part number on that engine? Are you thinking about part number 19210009 333hp 350 turn-key? That's the only small block I can see currently offered by GM in the the 330hp range, other then the truck engine, and the only way to get it is turn-key. Thanks, spoony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leghome Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 I had my 350 rebuilt a year ago this past December. It was 290 Horse crate engine but was using quite a bit of oil. Went with a roler cam and lifters and roller tip rockers. You can tell it has a slight cam as it does have a slight lope at idle. Preforms well on the road and has a lot of get up and go from the line. I am very happy with the results. The cost was only $2,250 and that included a 20 thousandths bore new piston and connecting rods. Used my old crank as it did not show any wear and all tolerances checked more than acceptable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam (Bones) Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 how about this one 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RealRed70 Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 I wouldn't hesitate to rebuild that original engine. You would most likely be very happy you did when it is rebuilt and back in the car. Otherwise you may go through life wishing you did when you have to stumble over that engine your are storing until you sell the car or realize it really should be in there. If someday down the line you were to sell the car if would be worth more with that engine already in it and running. Otherwise a potential owner may not put much value on the original engine, not knowing its true condition. I almost always say, do it right the first time. Just my opinion. I do not think you would regret it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Boyte Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 SAM'S choice is the best as of yet. JMO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RealRed70 Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 I do not think he wants to spend 572 money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam (Bones) Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 that's the 724 hp version too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC1970U Posted April 25, 2017 Author Share Posted April 25, 2017 how about this one That is awesome but not for her daily driver! Wonder how that would do in my 83 Elky:) I wouldn't hesitate to rebuild that original engine. You would most likely be very happy you did when it is rebuilt and back in the car. Otherwise you may go through life wishing you did when you have to stumble over that engine your are storing until you sell the car or realize it really should be in there. If someday down the line you were to sell the car if would be worth more with that engine already in it and running. Otherwise a potential owner may not put much value on the original engine, not knowing its true condition. I almost always say, do it right the first time. Just my opinion. I do not think you would regret it. Everything you say is true but my personal experience has not been too good with, highly recommended, builders coming thru. A lot of things that can go wrong and the parts being used a lot of times in these builds are being sourced from areas that do not have the same quality controls as they used too. I do a lot of work on my own cars but because of Physical limitations r&r engines is not one of them and I have to pay someone to do that. The last engine I had built had to come out of the car 3 times, once to be gone thru by another shop, before I was able to put any mile on it. The GM crate engines have a great warranty, in comparison to a shops, that can be used if something goes wrong and it will pay for any necessary procedures. I'd love to have the original rebuilt but I just can't expect or assume it will go as smoothly as having one of the crate engines installed before, during or after it's all said and done! I was actually hoping one of the crate engines might be a good candidate as a long block but I'm not seeing that. Thanks again everyone and please keep the ideas coming, spoony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ripleydale Posted April 25, 2017 Share Posted April 25, 2017 Hate to say it but that's exactly what I was planning on doing with it. I am really happy with the engine, other than oil consumption, but don't want to go thru the headache, expense, cheap parts and time loss of another "pro rebuild". I would like to rebuild but it was just too painful last time around. Do you have a part number on that engine? Are you thinking about part number 19210009 333hp 350 turn-key? That's the only small block I can see currently offered by GM in the the 330hp range, other then the truck engine, and the only way to get it is turn-key. Thanks, spoony That's the one although it looks like they changed the part number (mine was 12496968 when purchased in 2005). Looks like they've gained 3 hp. It really was a turn key motor when I installed it and I liked that some engineer matched the parts (camshaft, carb, distributor) for a solid motor. The motor really spins and you have to be careful not to over rev it because it seems to want to climb forever. I have a 5 speed in the Camaro so an automatic might not have the same issue. I would bet that you can find the same long block without the intake, carb and some of the other bits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RealRed70 Posted April 25, 2017 Share Posted April 25, 2017 Just because you buy a crate engine does not guarantee that you will be trouble free. I have heard of a lot of issues with crate engines. Just sayin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Brichta Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 A few years ago I did lots of research on crate engines because I had rebuilt most of my engines in the past and was not happy with the results. I am not an engine builder. I just wanted to do it and had lots of help from guys who rebuilt their engines. Anyway I ended up buying the GM ZZ4 engine and installed the Hot Cam Kit in it. Total cost was about $ 5,500. That was the best small block engine I have ever owned. It puts out a little over 400hp and can spin the tires in my 70 Monte with a 2.73 posi rear if I want to. Very streetable with a nice smooth low idle. I drive that car every day to work (all 12 months) and still love the engine. It moves a big Monte around with no problem. I liked it so much that I purchased another one a few years later with the same set up and put it in one of my other Montes. Awesome small block engine in my opinion. I'm not sure they still make the ZZ$ engine. They may now call it a ZZ5 or something else. They came with a 3 year warranty by GM. Not sure what it is now. Good luck with your decision!! Mike 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC1970U Posted July 3, 2017 Author Share Posted July 3, 2017 Just ordered! http://www.chevrolet.com/performance/crate-engines/sp350-357-turn-key Thanks everyone, S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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