Freshening up a 351

[Corts60]

Hello all,

This weekend I scored big time. I called on a 305 listed on craigslist this last week and asked the owner to look and see what series it was. He looked and told me the numbers were 351Exxxxx. So, needless to say, I told him I'd be there saturday morning to pick the engine up.

He had pulled the engine out of a '66 GMC pick up custom cab to put in a big block Chevy. Lucky for me, I got the complete engine for $175!

So I hauled it back to my shop and decided to pull it apart to measure everything out and see what kind of shape it is in. My plan for it is just to replace what is needed, if anything, re-gasket it, paint it and throw it into my '60 Suburban next winter. This will probably be a slow thread because I drive my Suburban a lot in the summer and already have my project list full for this winter so the engine will slowly get back together over the next several months.

Here are the pics of bringing it home:
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee278/Corts76/IMG_0461_zps546041b7.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee278/Corts76/IMG_0464_zps84eeb8ab.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee278/Corts76/IMG_0466_zpsfaa6f48c.jpg
And today, after I tore the top end off:
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee278/Corts76/IMG_0467_zpsb3f0d52a.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee278/Corts76/IMG_0468_zps90ac0ff4.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee278/Corts76/IMG_0469_zps3d096da5.jpg

[FetchMeAPepsi]

Looks pretty clean inside to me. Nice score on that one. You should start a build thread in the build section!
Do you know what kind of carb that is? It's not the stromberg ww on my 305.

[Corts60]

It's a Stromberg not sure which one yet. I do have a build thread on my suburban. However it's on 67-72chevytrucks, I'm just posting pics on this website.

[bigblockv6]

Like all Magnum engines the 351E came equipped with the larger Stromberg WWC carb which has a trapezoid base.

[Funky61]

Nice score Cort; should do well in your Suburban.

[6066gmcguy]

351E at that price was a great deal. Look good eh.

[jbgroby]

Cort

I'll get the plugs off I keep forgetting them at home, I have a note at my desk at work but keep forgetting to put the plugs in my briefcase when I get home.

Also I see you got a new V-6. I have an OEM Stromberg carb. and LOW PROFILE breather. You need those for the engine? I paid $50.00 and $14 for shipping. I'll go 'Even Steven' and break even IF you want/need them for your project.


This goes for others as well, first come first grabbed.

Let me know jbgroby@charter.net

504-881-0265

[Corts60]

Thanks Jake. I'm not sure quite what direction I'm going with the induction, but I'm thinking of going with a tbi set up or doing a 4 barrel modification.

[Corts60]

Got a little bit done over the week. Stayed after work a few days and de-greased/sandblasted a lot of the external parts for the engine. Tomorrow I am going to finish tearing down the block and start measuring things out. Here are some of the goodies in primer:
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee278/Corts76/IMG_0473_zps0b0f0e7b.jpg

[BillT]

Looking good.

Bill

[Corts60]

Thanks Bill!

This weekend I finished tearing down the short block and completed blasting/cleaning all of the parts for the 351. Unfortunately, I think #3 rod bearing spun. So, that means the short block is going to a machine shop to have the crank turned. I didn't get a chance to measure all of the cylinders to see if they are out of tolerance, but I guess I'll have the shop do that as well. The good news is that the crank had all standard sized bearings meaning that it can be turned no problem. So, it will be awhile before I send it out because over the next two months I need to purchase all the window seals and rubber for my 'burb so I can finish that project before spring.

I also decided that I am going to run TBI on this engine when it goes back together. I drew up this schematic for an adapter that I am going to make:
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee278/Corts76/TBIadapterpic_zps5fedea0c.jpg

What do you guys think?

[bigblockv6]

After installing a Howell TBI on a Jeep 304 V8 I contacted Howell if it would work on my 478M V6, they said it would work. Since it's based on GM TBI makes it a proven system and relatively simple installation and reasonably priced. That will be a great upgrade for any GMC V6.

[Corts60]

That's encouraging! Do you have any links or more info? What kind of price range am I looking at?

[bigblockv6]

The price is in the $1200 range and other GM TBI based systems.I don't have Howell's contact information at this time, just go online and you'll find it.

[duallyjams]

http://howellefi.com/?sef_rewrite=1
if it works out I'll take a adapter

[6066gmcguy]

If you can get a TBI system woring on the GMC Big Block V6, that would ba a geart inprovement, keep good notes and lots of photos, then send me a write for the website like you did on tha Dual Carb setup.

[Corts60]

Will do Jolly.

[duallyjams]

Any up dates

[Corts60]

No updates at this point gents. After tearing down the short block, I found some semi-serious scoring on the cylinder walls and cam bearings that need to be replaced. You all know how difficult it is to find a set of piston rings for this engine so I kind of lost steam on it. I keep checking ebay every now and then but not too often. So many other projects right now.

So, for now, she is on the back burner until further notice! Thanks!

[FetchMeAPepsi]

I wonder if you can have them made somewhere? If so, what would it run?

[Corts60]

Well, I finally have an update, albeit not about building this engine. I decided earlier this month (after a few weeks thought) to sell my '60 Suburban. It was a great rig and I had fun, but other projects have popped up that are more what I am into right now.

SO, I guess I'll be selling the 351E since I now have nothing to put it in. I'm not sure how to go about selling it on here, but if you are interested for local pickup in Portland, Oregon, shoot me a message.

Thanks for all the comments and interest guys!

[Corts60]

So does anyone have any interest in buying this engine? I guess if this board is not interested, then I'm really out of luck. Haha.

[FetchMeAPepsi]

Try posting in the marketplace. If I was closer I'd be interested.