Bought something today

"MM54" (mm54mk2)
06/30/2018 at 22:15 • Filed to: '71Chevelle

Harbor Freight load leveler comes in at a 6/10 on the sketchiness scale. Probably should have gotten the heavy-duty one.

Finally picked up a complete (supposedly ran-when-pulled; turns by hand at least) 350 to build for the Chevelle. It will get completely gone through and rebuilt, but I like that it is complete and looks to have never been opened up; makes things a bit more predictable and is less likely to be rusted to hell inside .

It’s a -014 block so essentially the same as a -010 - could be 2-bolt or 4-bolt main , not really concerned since I don’t plan on making crazy power with it. Has been sitting in a shed since it was pulled several years ago apparently.

It will be a little while before I tear into it, but maybe I’ll finally find the motivation to start pulling the Chevelle apart soon. I plan to refresh the entire engine bay and do some rust repair while doing the swap.

Unrelatedly, I also picked up all the baseboard for my house today, a nd got stain matched this past week, so that project can resume. It was an expensive day. I had planned on picking up a welder in the next week or so, but that may have to wait a little longer.

DISCUSSION (8)

My bird IS the word > MM54
06/30/2018 at 22:20

Wth the cost of rebuild for a non original 350, why not just buy a blueprint 350? Unless you plan on doing the machining yourself.

MM54 > My bird IS the word
06/30/2018 at 22:22

Machine work is a lot cheaper than a crate engine, and the only part I don’t intend to do myself. Besides, building engines is fun.

My bird IS the word > MM54
06/30/2018 at 22:29

https://blueprintengines.com/collections/gm-compatible-crate-engines/products/gm355-dressed-engine

With the machine work, my engine is quoted 1500-2000, plus another 1000 in parts including all the accessories, a new cam, and new valvetrain components. The blueprint is 3,300 for an engine ready to go, with a warranty. no risk.

Just sayin. If I would have known how deep this rabbit hole went I probably would have just gone with them.

MM54 > My bird IS the word
06/30/2018 at 22:33

I’d still rather do it myself - at most same cost, more fun. I have been tempted by the Blueprint 383 stroker though. 450-ish HP for <$5k with their warranty is good.

My bird IS the word > MM54
06/30/2018 at 22:35

well good luck. We will be engine rebuild buddies.

DipodomysDeserti > My bird IS the word
06/30/2018 at 23:35

Fuck me. I bought a freshly rebuilt Hughs Performance TH350 and a brand new Hughs TC from a buddy last years for $650 and he threw in a running SBC 350 with a mild cam and new rollers and pushrods. Pays to be friends with hotrodders I guess.

My bird IS the word > DipodomysDeserti
06/30/2018 at 23:38

I am over the whole “classic muscle restoration” thing. These cars are fossils, and that’ s not a joke on how they are designed. They are literally fossils.. I perform archeology as much as I fix the damn thing.

DipodomysDeserti > My bird IS the word
06/30/2018 at 23:55

I’ve owned a ‘63 Corvair and a ‘66 GMC longbed. Couldn’t agree more.