I am considering building a replacement motor for my L69 (it is still running strong so I am not in a hurry). I have two 350, 4 bolt blocks. One is from an ~85 Corvette and the other is from a ~74 Blazer. I don´t have to do much to the 85 block (new cam, lifters etc.) but I don´t know if I have to do much to the 74 block (it ran strong when we took it out of the truck). I have heard that older blocks from trucks where stronger than block from the 80´s. Would it be a better to spend my money on the old block than on the 85?

Thanks in advange,

Nonni

 

The mid-70's to mid-80's were not the best of times for GM. I wouldn't go so far as to call either one better than the other. Whichever you choose, have it checked very carefully before you start spending any money on it.

The one advantage that the '85 has is that the dipstick is on the same side as your L69.

------------------
82 Berlinetta, orig V-6 car, now w/86 LG4/TH700R4. 2.93 limited slip. Cat-back from '91 GTA, Accel HEI SuperCoil. AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Daily driver, work-in-progress (LG4 w/'87 LB9 block, ZZ3 cam and intake, World 305 heads, Hooker headers & y-pipe, 3" Catco cat & 3" cat-back).
57 Bel Air, my 1st car. 0.030 over 396, 9.7 CR forged TRWs, Weiand Action+, Edelbrock 1901 Q-Jet, GK 270 cam, Magnum rockers, Jacobs Omnipack, 1-3/4" Hedders & 3" Warlock header mufflers, TH400 w/TCI Sat Night Special conv & Trans-Scat shift kit, LT MegaShifter, 3.08 8.2" 10-bolt w/Powertrax, AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Best 15.1/95.5 @ 5800' Bandimere.

 

Yea I agree with 5.7, I believe that the blazer produced less power than the vett's whoping 195hp, LOL. ?73/74? was the turning point year in power reduction its really ify even for a truck guru to say for sure. I would go to the libarary and nab some chiltion's that cover those years and find out for sure. The original 350 that my 76 came with was rated at 155hp but that was a smogged out year. One thing that im not sure on is the crank one or two piece rear main, I know that the 84 vetts had the center bolt valve covers at least the one my friends had them and I associate that with the one piece style rear main. "Havent worked on enough vetts."
Confusing my self now, SSC