Hard/ no start... agian

[Ceejkay]

i havent put anything in it as far as wonder fluids... redid the test today with a guage from autozone(1st was from orilieys) same numbers.. so now the wife and i need to sit down and see if a new heart is worth it.. what do you guys think?fix or sell?

 

[letsbangout]

i havent put anything in it as far as wonder fluids... redid the test today with a guage from autozone(1st was from orilieys) same numbers.. so now the wife and i need to sit down and see if a new heart is worth it.. what do you guys think?fix or sell?

Either way it seems to me you need to put in some bars or "wonder fluid", whichever is the consensus as being the best for these GM smallblocks. If you do, you'll probably have a better chance of selling it to someone who knows someone who's mechanically inclined. Otherwise you're limited to selling it to a mechanic or some hardcore enthusiast like one of us

Personally I've done an engine swap in a truck just because I liked it (a late-model Rodeo), and I was very happy with my decision. I was in the same situation as you, original motor died. My motor cost me something like $1100 at a junkyard with 57k miles and I ran it up to 215k without issue. So if you like the truck, do what you've gotta do. Aside from wear items, my truck required absolutely zero money for like 9 years after the engine swap, except for an alternator. I couldn't have asked for a better outcome.

Just my $0.02. Good luck!

 

[Ceejkay]

yea i am kinda torn, all the front suspension parts (except shocks) has been done in the last year. Trans was done october 2010.. body is straight, few dings but no major clear coat peeling..
I do have a few things that need to be done.. shocks need to be done bad, just noticed the other day power steering pump(or line) is leaking, seal on the front end(where axle goes) is leaking, and the ac has a leak.. but those are all little nickle and dime shit compared to the limping motor.. jegs has a replacement for 1800 brand new no core.. 2 or 3yr warranty..
so lets see i have about 2k invested in this truck, including purchase.. add 1800 for engine, add another 1k for other stuff(dizzy, fix ac, shocks, fix ps leak, leaking seal) so that would leave me with a total near $4800 or so for essentially newish truck.. i mean with the exception of t case and axles everything drive train is less than 2 yrs old..
Honestly if im going thru the hassle of pulling the motor i would rather drop in new compared to the uncertainty of a used one..

 

[letsbangout]

Yeah I only dropped in a used motor in my Rodeo because nobody made cheap long-blocks for it. If I could've copped a new long block for $1800 I would've done so gladly. As for these trucks, I'd consider a $600 used engine if it had 70k or less miles, problem is very few engines for our trucks have that few original miles. Plus it's really a crapshoot as to whether the odometer mileage of the donor is correct, even if you're able to see it for yourself. And even then, you've got to factor in the cost of upgrading the injectors while it's out unless you wanna tear into it in a year.

Honestly, $4800 for a truck with a new drivetrain is a steal. And for one that looks as good as yours... hoooo boy. I say get it!

 

[SunlitComet]

new engine ceej. you know my position on the issue.

 

[Ceejkay]

yea im leaning tward a new engine as well.. i love the truck and its very practical for my family needs.... also it isnt like im going to have to pay a shop to do the work.. ok so i think ive talked my self completly into it...... So how about some things i should start gathering?
Good dizzy, i dont know how old my current one is and i would rather good spark on a new engine cant hurt.. anything else?

 

[Gzes]

well on my 350 i just overhauled it and it runs like new and was personally a better idea than getting a junkyard engine because i already knew what i had on it. new engines are alright but you gotta get all this crap to do the swap yourself or send it in and spen more cash. just get an overhaul and get a basically new engine

---------- Post added at 05:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:01 PM ----------

o yea completely i spent 1300 on the overhaul and instal from my mechanic

 

[Ceejkay]

well i dont have the time to do an overhaul.. but and "overhaul/rebuild" to me is stripping down the block, new pistons, rings, bearings, seals, rebuild the heads ect.. your at close to $1k in machine shop work right off the bat... then you have to get gasket sets or master rebuild kit.. im not just wanting to put new rings in and call it a day. if your in that deep you might as well go with a 383...
am i flying off the deep end with this? its been about 10 years since i did a full rebuild..

 

[Gzes]

well my crankshaft was bad so i got in new shaft, bearings, all the inside basically but i dont believe he had to send it into the machine shop. i guess thats why i didnt pay a super high amount.

 

[SunlitComet]

Ceej, the dizzy now have spare parts to replace the gears now. grab new mounts, inspect that flexplate for broken teeth, non-synthetic oil. if you have not done the spider upgrade do it then and definitely get the manifold machine shop clean. oh and flush out cooling system and give your wire harness a good once over inspection.