The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop best torque?

For a little more than your budget you can buy a remanufactured 350 from a dealer. It takes a lot more to get a rebuilt big block.

A friend of mine used to drive an early 60's Chevy 1-ton with a SM420 and a 396. If you are not playing hot rod the transmission will probably hold up fine.

I've seen several 454 powered pickups on craigslist over the last few months (in the Seattle area) for under $1000. One of them was listed as free.

Buying a used motor is always a gamble. But if you buy a complete used truck with the motor you want you'll likely be able to adapt many of the parts to support your swap. The basic frame design was the same 1963 through 1987, so much of what you need won't be hard to move.

I really like the power of my 454 powered pickup. But even with that motor a big load will slow me down going up hill. And I've come to think of 10 mpg as great mileage.