The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Now it's broke!

Last week I asked for help for a leaking pinion seal in my 57 3100 and was given valuable advice. I tried the perma-sleeve and it went on just like y'all said it would.
Well, when I took it out to test it out, the truck started missing real badly. Hobbled home and started checking the obvious. Nothing. A little deeper than obvious. Nothing. Narrowed it down to must be an internal problem. Pulled the 350 out and torn into it.
Now, mind you, I just bought the truck about a month ago and immediately downed it to replace the king pins. So, this is the first time it's really been out to drive it very far.
Anyway, when I tore the engine down, I found the screw section of a hose clamp lodged in the #8 intake valve. Piston is beat all to heck.
Bought the truck locally. Can't say what will happen if I run into this cat again.
Got to checking the price of a rebuild (machine shop and parts), and it looks like a 260hp 350 GM crate is about the same in price, even if I rebuild it.
You purists cover your ears. Does anyone have this engine in a bolt and how's the power to weight?

No problem here with a V8 in a Task Force, it was an option anyway. I don't have an 8 in mine, but my 6 is pushing about the same power, it's not too bad. just remember that there's no weight in the back, so the rear might not hook up if you push it.
Let us know how it goes.

57Chevy501,

Is the damage too severe to repair the existing engine and drive away with a fatter wallet? If the piston is beat but not busted, the valve could be addressed and the new crate engine saved for a rainy day.

Stuart

Thought about that, but the engine smoked a bit anyway, so might as well refresh it while it's out. The block needs to be bored.
But, by the time I spend $400 at the machine shop, 400 in parts, 200 in unforeseens,, I could spend 300 more for the crate.
I would like to buy the crate for the truck and rebuild the old motor for a future rat rod that I've always wanted to build.
Good point,Longbox55. I don't want to over power the pickup so that it breaks the tires every time I step into it ( or do I? Humm).

Crates are great, ready to go right out of the box. Most come with a nice warranty too,
Scott

if its smoken put it back together and run it till it blows you may be suprized how long it runs and you wont have to baby it

501 ,
I have a HAPPY 350 Crate in mine ...she runs just fine but like Longbox said watch her especially on the wet roads !..lol
even with a posi mine will get all over an make ya suck a nice portion of the seat up your Anal Orifice if ya not payin attention !
As I finish puttin mine back together I am movin as much weight to the rear as I possibly can to try an settle it down.
Good Luck !
I recomend the Crate motor for the simple fact it is already done an comes with a warrenty.
just my 2 pennies.
Tim

or, just find another junk yard 350... it's not like they are rare!!! i've had a wore out 283 in my 39 for 6 years now.. still running strong... and the BEST inside tolerance was AT the max!! i stopped measuring after the 4th journal!

The 350 Goodwrench crate is the way to go. I have them in both of mine & have put in hundreds of them through the years.

I think I decided on a Goodwrench crate after a reply by Wrenchbender Ret. a while back, I sure am happy with the increased towing ability and all around improvement. I had the rear end gears to tow the boat with the 235, but not nearly enough "oomph" to go up hills.

I'm new here...how do I start a new topic?

Pcolamike, When your in a forum scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the post new topic button.

Thanks for the responses. A friend has a ready-to-go short block ( a give me), and an old racing buddy is going to rework the heads for parts. Another friend to rebuild the TH350 for $200. Looks like a couple hundred dollars and i'll be back in action!! What a guy would do without his buddies.

I have a new 260HP crate sitting in my '56 right now waiting to be hooked up. $1550 including tax and a 3 year warranty. Why re-build one?

$200.00 or $1550.00.....Hmmmm Thats why

If you can re-build one for $200 more power to you. The proper machine work will cost more than that.

I have done lots of "ring and valve" jobs, they are usually good for 60 to 80,000 miles. Why spend a ton of money on machine work when way less will do? My R & V jobs usually cost around $200.00. If it's not for heavy duty use those old 235's are almost bullet proof when freshened up with new cast iron rings and a lap job on the valves. I have even done V-8's, they work fine too with just a minimum of new parts, are strong and reliable.

it's the engines that only get the 60 miles that hurt... 80,000 aint bad!!

If you're like myself, I was born so poor that when my Mom made soup for supper, we had to eat it with a fork so there was enough to go around. Ain't nothin' wrong with saving those Franklins for something else. All trucks run on used parts.
DJ