Slow2.8

I know this is not thirdgen related, but it is a carb

anyways, theres one for sale with a new 350 engine, 4 speed manual for 1,800 in my area. took it for a quick drive, not much quicker than my 89 v6, but it is. I'm wondering if this would be a good buy for a project car?

ScottyRS

iTrader: (2)

$1,800? Chevy 350? Hell yeah it's a good project car! How does the body look? Engines and drivetrains are easy to fix, but if the body is messed up beyond hope, then you may be out of luck.

Air_Adam

I'd say so, those 2ndgen cars are alot of fun. GM used better parts on those, generally, as well... they got a 8.5" 10-bolt with good gears like 3.42 or 3.73 (3rdgens got 7.5 and 7.625) and got the Super T10 trans if it was a Z28, they often had a Posi as well. The 350 that came with them sucks - 8:1 CR, lame heads, iron intake, weak ignition, tiny little exhaust.... but its still a 350, and its nowhere but up from where it is, really.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

I had a bunch of late 70s Z28s. I will never go back to them, at least not for a driver. Compared to these cars, they're heavy overall, the bodies are just generally weaker, have a pitiful rear suspension, very nose-heavy, poorer handling, exhaust that always falls off and/or scrapes everything, uncomfortable seats (my right foot would ALWAYS go to sleep within 20 minutes of hitting the highway), no room (the trunk won't hold a spare and a suitcase at the same time), and on and on. When these cars came out, it was ASTOUNDING to me how much better of a car they were, overall. I traded in one of the 2nd gens I had at the time (a 79 Z28 4-speed car) and never looked back.

You can get a 350 that's every bit as good as what came in those cars for $50 at the junkyard. I don't see that as any kind of reason to buy an inferior car, just to get that motor.

I sold the last one of those that I had I guess it was in about 87 or 88, for $1600. IIRC that one was a 78 Z28, auto trans. Probably was in alot better shape and had less miles on it than any you'd find nowadays.

Unless it's a really cherry car and you're looking to turn it over for a quick buck, it doesn't sound like much of a deal to me. But of course that also depends on what sort of a "project" this would be.

Slow2.8

ya im thinking just save my money for a motor in my car, which will probably be next year, cuz my diffs bad right now and i have to either replace it or rebuild it. Then paint job, then motor/trans... brand new car...