I will be replacing or rebuilding a 350 motor for a 1986 C/K1500 I'm waiting to buy, but need some advice. What would be the better and less expensive route to go? Rebuild a 350 motor or order a 350 crate motor. I don't want a lot of hp just a good running motor that I can drop in the 86 C/K1500 and be able to drive it as a daily driver without any problems. The truck is a 1986 C/K1500 4x4 with a current 305. Also any idea what trans a 86 C/K1500 4x4 might have looking into rebuilding it also or replacing?

 

Rebuilding your motor with stock parts will be cheaper than a new crate motor. You can also save more by doing the work yourself (except for the machine shop work).

Don't know about the trannys. Are you talking about manual or automatic?

BTW, there is no C/K 1500 4X4. There is a C-1500 2 wheel drive and the K-1500 is the 4X4. I'm not picking on you but I thought that you would like to know the correct terminology.

 

IMO crate motor.....

 

383 crate would do you nicely!

 

He said he wanted to know what would be "least expensive". O'Reilley's has long blocks for $1129. Doing the work yourself with parts you choose should be about the same or slightly higher - depending on what parts you choose. There is no way you could touch a Chevy crate motor for twice that much.

 

ReRead his post....
He also said that he wanted a DD without any problems. From his criteria he listed I would get a crate motor. Doing some or all the work yourself if you not an experienced builder could run you into problems... That is why I said In My Opinion Crate Motor....

 

Thanks for the info, the trans is a Auto on the 86, 4x4 thanks again.

 

I have reread his post. Maybe you should to. Nowhere does he state that he is inexperienced. He's looking for comparisons between rebuilt and crate. Even if he buys a rebuilt long block and has to pay someone else to have it installed the rebuilt will be cheaper than the buying the crate motor and having someone else install it. A rebuilt will make a perfectly good DD too.

 

I have experience on most vehicles when it comes the basic bolt ons. If I do a rebuild a buddy and I will be doing most of the work. If I buy the crate motor from a Carparts store we will also be doing the install.

 

When I do a search for parts and trucks etc most stuff comes up as a C/K 1500 for the 73-87 I believe.