somthing to replace my L-69
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 130
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From: west chester, PA
Car: 1985 camaro IROC-Z
Engine: Lg-4 305
Transmission: t-5 5 speed
somthing to replace my L-69
i dont think my 140k mile L-69 is going to last very much longer, so i was wondering what other small blocks i would be able to swap in with minimal downtime and on an extremely tight budget. i wouldnt mind getting another 305, but i would rather go with a 350. and i would like the motor to be smog legal.
also do you think pulling a junkyard motor and putting it in withougt rebuilding it is somthing i should do? is there anyway i can tell if the motor is in good condition without starting it or ripping into it?
also do you think pulling a junkyard motor and putting it in withougt rebuilding it is somthing i should do? is there anyway i can tell if the motor is in good condition without starting it or ripping into it?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: west chester, PA
Car: 1985 camaro IROC-Z
Engine: Lg-4 305
Transmission: t-5 5 speed
thanks for your help, guys. BTW that "knock" turned into my engine throwing a damn rod this afternoon, not that ya'll care.....
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 85
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From: Annville,PA
Car: 84 Z28
Engine: 72 350 .030 over
Transmission: 89 WC T-5
I would look for a 305 tpi engine to throw in. They can be had for cheap and would be an upgrade to the L-69 because of the roller cam. Your heads and intake and all would bolt up with no need for reprogrammed chip. You could use the tpi heads and buy a new intake for that bolt pattern.
As far as knowing if its good without it running is very tough. You would be better off hearing it run. You could rip the oil pan off and check for discolored rod caps to see if they were ever overheated/spun bearing. Check the oil for for water/antifreeze.
If you can't hear it run atleast get some kind of warranty stating they will refund your money if its no good, but it would suck to put it in and then turn around and pull it to take it back. But atleast it wouldn't be a total loss of your money.
As far as knowing if its good without it running is very tough. You would be better off hearing it run. You could rip the oil pan off and check for discolored rod caps to see if they were ever overheated/spun bearing. Check the oil for for water/antifreeze.
If you can't hear it run atleast get some kind of warranty stating they will refund your money if its no good, but it would suck to put it in and then turn around and pull it to take it back. But atleast it wouldn't be a total loss of your money.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 130
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From: west chester, PA
Car: 1985 camaro IROC-Z
Engine: Lg-4 305
Transmission: t-5 5 speed
well i dont have enough money to get my hands on a TPI motor, and if i did i wouldnt worry about computer tuning, mine doesnt do much anyway (different carb/dist then stock, so no computer control)
im just gonna go junkyard shopping tomorrow and look for a 350. they are plentiful enough, cheaper from the junkyard then a 305 (And they only haev lg-4's anyway) and rebuild kits are only $150. i think there is one i could use out of a suburban. its a 350 TPI with 140,000 on the clock, but its also one of those schoolbus SUV's. then after i get the motor, im gonna rebuild it this weekend and hopefully put it in almost right away (if theres no setbacks)
ill let yall know how it goes.
im just gonna go junkyard shopping tomorrow and look for a 350. they are plentiful enough, cheaper from the junkyard then a 305 (And they only haev lg-4's anyway) and rebuild kits are only $150. i think there is one i could use out of a suburban. its a 350 TPI with 140,000 on the clock, but its also one of those schoolbus SUV's. then after i get the motor, im gonna rebuild it this weekend and hopefully put it in almost right away (if theres no setbacks)
ill let yall know how it goes.
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