hey all, i was driving my 97 chevy k1500 home today, and it kinda lost power, the oil pressure was very low until i reved it, when i finally got home i could hear the death rattle in the bottom end. i just did a bunch of work to it (intake gaskets,flowmaster exhaust,m/t tires,ect) so i'm kinda po'd. should i put a new/used (vortec 350) mabye try to sell it for parts? roughly how much should i spend on a used engine? the truck has 125.000miles on it. and to add insult to injury, i just paid for a car trailer that i haven't even picked up yet.:(:mad:

If it is in good shape body wise drop a used engine in it or rebuild it, you can't but one for what you will spend on fixing it. My 2 cents.

If it is in good shape body wise drop a used engine in it or rebuild it, you can't but one for what you will spend on fixing it. My 2 cents.

:yes: you could probably find a used one for a reasonable price.
btw, bummer. :(

You could even do a short block pretty reasonable if your heads are good!:)

rebuild the motor- it's just a small block, so parts are cheap.

That is a good platform for a truck. If you do not mind the work, throw an engine in it. They are just solid and easy to work on.

hey all, i was driving my 97 chevy k1500 home today, and it kinda lost power, the oil pressure was very low until i reved it, when i finally got home i could hear the death rattle in the bottom end. i just did a bunch of work to it (intake gaskets,flowmaster exhaust,m/t tires,ect) so i'm kinda po'd. should i put a new/used (vortec 350) mabye try to sell it for parts? roughly how much should i spend on a used engine? the truck has 125.000miles on it. and to add insult to injury, i just paid for a car trailer that i haven't even picked up yet.:(:mad:

You could buy a sbc kit from Northern Auto Parts with a rebuilt crank if you need it for under $500 with new cam, pistons, under/over bearings, timing chain etc. I'd think it'd be well worth it if the body is in good shape.

I agree with all above it all depends on the body. As I am sure you know these trucks are famous for saggy doors and the welded hinges even coming off which is a pain to fix.

Just remember once the clunker law takes effect this will be worth upwards of $4500 on a new one as long as it gets 4 to 10 mpg more than this one does.

hey don thanks for the link to Northern Auto Parts, i think i'm gonna get into a lot of trouble with that website, but i didn't see a '97 vortec 350 shortblock i heard they were different, or am i mistaken?

fig how much payments are on a new truck, how many of those would pay for the engine
now if the trans goes next, prob more than the engine
i guess its based on your money situation, trucks body, doing the work yourself
even with a new engine, the rest still has 125k on it-if yours was like mine, the brakes were always a problem, so i just bought a new one-its a buyers market now

hey don thanks for the link to Northern Auto Parts, i think i'm gonna get into a lot of trouble with that website, but i didn't see a '97 vortec 350 shortblock i heard they were different, or am i mistaken?

I'm not up on the differences and what would work for your application. But I would recommend calling them, they've been really helpfull anytime I've called with questions.
Don

hey don thanks for the link to Northern Auto Parts, i think i'm gonna get into a lot of trouble with that website, but i didn't see a '97 vortec 350 shortblock i heard they were different, or am i mistaken?


Yes they are slightly different. They use a composite front timing cover and come with a roller cam. I had a 305 vortec replaced under warranty because of piston rattle. THey have short skirts on the pistons. Could this be your problem? If you do need a new shortblock you should be able to get a replacement from GM or the auto parts places. I see then on craigslist sometimes too. I don`t know what a new engine would run you but a replacement TBI engine for my 90 blazer is about $1800 from summit.