Tow vehicle advice Chevy 350

Folks are inadvertently giving you some misinformation. A crate engine is a rebuilt engine a LOT of the time......just so you know.....You can buy a new 350 from GM and they are spendy as you already found out. Or you can have it rebuilt. There is nothing wrong with a rebuilt motor if done correctly. I have rebuilt several and the one I am most proud of is the 521 stroker in my classic F-250 4x4. A cheap rebuild???? Well, I'd steer clear from that for sure. My rebuilt cost 7,000 grand with the new parts and the machine work. I could have bought a new 460 for less.......But, it wouldn't idle like a sewing machine and be really easy to drive on the street while making 550-600 hp. It's has a lot of torque too..... You don't need that though, just an engine someone machined and assembled correctly if it comes to that. A good rebuild will last just a long as a factory motor, maybe even longer. It really depends on the builder and the parts.

I'm a gearhead, I admit it.....LOL.....My wife says I have a problem.......
 
Let me clarify; I was referring to a "Crate" Engine as a new block--that may be misguided. However, I have seen a number of "rebuilt" engines which were not quality rebuilds--and often you might be trading a block which has no real problems for an engine which had over 250,000 miles on it. If I had a trusted rebuilder I would have my own block rebuilt. However, I would prefer a new block, over a questionable rebuild on a questionable block.

I defer to T.R.
 
I wouldn't buy a cheap rebuild, or a rebuild from a builder that didn't have a great reputation. Funny, that generally isn't the cheap guy.....LOL....Honestly a good rebuild costs just about as much as a new motor. I like having a seasoned block that I know won't crack - same goes for the heads. They have a million heat up and cool down cycles on them and if they haven't cracked yet, they are not going to ever chances are. New ones can and do, but they also have GM standing behind them (maybe).

Who cares, you just want to get down the road. Fix the gasket and drive it until it dies. If you are lucky it will probably be a long, long time. If you are not lucky, steer clear of the 1200 buck rebuilt crate motor and get a good one. A new GM crate motor is a great choice. But so is rebuilt motor from an established builder with a good reputation. By the way, they stand behind their stuff too (maybe)......

I hope it turn out ok and you just have to do the gasket.
 
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