what is the difference between the 69 to 85 chevy 350 rebuild kits and the 86 to 95 rebuild kits?

also what do i need to do to rebuild my engine?

 

main differences, the 86 up have one piece rear main seal, and centerbolt valve covers, where as the 85 down, have 2 piece rear main, and perimeter bolt valve covers.

Im having a brain fart, and cant remember anything else.

Kevin

 

dip stick location changed and the depth of the oil pan lip changed, but you'd get end pieces for both. there's a differance in crank pin and journal size and there are differant bores but that doesn't apply to 350s.

 

I will jump in with a question here.

If i were rebuilding an 89 L98 and reusing the crank,connecting rods,roller lifters and a performance cam. Could i just pickup a rebuild kit for an older 350(much cheaper) and purchase the rearmain and valve cover gaskets seprate?

seems this would be much cheaper.

 

what's in the kit? rings, rod, mains and cam bearings are all the same, as long as it is SJ crank. as already pointed out gasket sets are differant, oil pan, valve covers, intake, rear main seal to name a few. best to buy what you need, if the parts interchanged the kit would wiork for your application and cost the same.

 

ok i think mines a 85 and down 350, so after i get the rebuild kit ( im pulling the engine before i do that so im sure it is an 85 and down engine) what do i need to rebuild it? How much will it cost if i do everything myself except the machine worK?

 

first step is get a haynes or chilton book on your car or engine, read through what you will need for a rebuild, decide what needs to be done with your circumstances and make sure you get a general idea of what your getting yourself into. Most important things are proper tools, patience and planning. if you take everything apart take everything to the machine shop they will charge ruffly 500 for the heads, and ruffly another 500 for all other needs to the block. So with parts and service anywhere from 900 to 2000 depending on what you need. hope this helps

 

o well im just going to buy a remanufactured engine for 800 dollors and it comes with a warrenty.

 

Dont!!!!! Thats sounds like a Reccon price to me. We do all the soco Reccon warrenty checks and see more engines with main/rod bearing failures then I want to, especially since reccon only pays $400 for the warrenty work. Save up $1200 and get a GM crate engine you will have less problems or just start talking to machine shops, the machine shop I use does all the checking and orders parts ready to install, even the rings are already fitted and the cost is under $800.

 

so i shouldnt get a reconditioned engine? BTW your right i was going to get a reconditioned engine. if i get a crate engine for gm for 1200 dollars it will be a low performance engine. the place that rebuilds the engines that i was going to get one from sells them for 800 dollars with over 300 horsepower and has been in business for almost 30 years. Also if i was to rebuild my own engine could i do it for under 1000- 1200 dollars. im 16 and am hitting up the parental units for the money again.