1967 351e

[ab positive bulldogs]

I know its not a 60-66 BUT i do have a 1967 with a 351E so i will ask here anyways :D

I wanted to get your guys opinion on the GMC 351E Engine. I currently have a 1967 with this engine and I am driving it around. Engine runs fine had some problems with the carb and I just rebuilt the heads. BOTH things seem simple enough to fix BUT with this rare engine parts are near IMPOSSIBLE to find. People tell me i should leave it original because it would be worth more BUT i do not intend on selling the car so I am considering swapping out for a more reliable 350 (AND i can get parts galore anywhere for it). I guess what I am asking IS what would you guys do? swap the engine? keep as is? or what? I look forward to hearing from you guys.

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[BarryGMC]

Keep it in. We live in an old rig world that is fast being re powered by Small block Chevies. Also short of a few internal engine parts, everything is available. I use my v6 Jimmys daily and they are not babied and they are my most trouble free old rides I run. I also have a passion for 72 K20 trucks and all of them are 350 powered. So from my experience the v6 is no harder or expensive to run compared to a sbc, and in no way less reliable. Here is my 65 thats been run about 5-6,000 miles a year for the past 3 years. The fuel pump and a carb kit are the only things I have touched on the v6. Barry

[Funky61]

Welcome ABPB!
I'd keep as is and do some of the upgrades like the Holley for starters or hows about an overdrive tranny?! More photos please.

[Ed Snyder]

Welcome to the forum, AB!

I'm sure just about everybody on this forum would tell you the same thing -- keep the V6. You've got a relatively rare truck, a '67 with the 351. There are far too many of these trucks that have been converted to small block Chevys. If you ever get to the point that you can take your truck to car shows, you'll find that the V6 is an attention-getter. Most people will walk right by a truck with a SBC in it because they're so common.

Regarding parts -- most parts are not hard to find, especially with the help of forum members. Anyway, these engines are so reliable with proper care that it's unlikely you'll need parts. A friend of mine in our local Chevy/GMC truck club has over 600,000 miles on his 305 V6 which has never been overhauled. Just make sure you never over-rev the engine. 3200 RPM is a good conservative redline. Over-revving or running out of oil are about the only two ways to kill a V6.

[Foley]

Opinion. Why do you have that truck and "drive it around"? For most of us that come together on this forum, it's about loving old machinery. Enjoying old pickup trucks when they were something special. They were tough, good looking, and powerful for their day. In the GMC world of trucks, it was the tough, working power of those V6's that were introduced in the 60's. Awesome piece of mechanical history.

If it's finding parts that makes you uneasy, you'll see that those of us involved in saving these ol' dogs not only enjoy the trucks, but also enjoy the treasure hunt of finding those hard to get parts, getting them back into the trucks so they run better and.... making friends along the way. We tell the stories of chasing down new parts, scrounging thru junk yards for old parts, swapping or selling to each other, and comparing notes on what works and what doesn't work thru our efforts in the shop. When you show your 46 year old truck to people and open the hood, they will say,327, 350? and you'll say, H*** no, that is 351 cubic inches of six cylinder madness that could pull a freight car three miles up a 6 percent grade during a Kansas snow storm. But it's entirely up to you AB as it's your truck and you should enjoy it the way you want.

[BarryGMC]

Well said. :thumbsup:

[bigblockv6]

Keep the 351E, don't destroy the true breed of a GMC with a Chivy powerplant, 350's are a dime a dozen and so overdone that their really not a novelty like your 351E. You want a better carburetor then replace it with a Holley 500 cfm 2bbl or even build your manifold to accept a 4bbl carb. We're here to help and to keep these unique powerplants running.

[Rockdriller]

Well, there ya go, dog.
The fellas that just posted the answers to your question are pretty much the Top Dogs in the Vintage GMC world....and you can tell by their personal vehicles, they believe in what they say.
So do I.
Nice truck, BTW.
Somewhat rare.....your power steering.

[ab positive bulldogs]

Wow thanks for all the responses! Here is my deal...Due to my financial situation I can not afford a new car at the moment and my daily driver just kicked the bucket on me so my choices were this truck or my 64 impala as a daily driver for now....The truck was the more practical choice...

Anyways so far I rebuilt the tranny, rebuilt the heads, I have added power stearing and i did the Holley 500 CFM bbl upgrade. She is now running sweet!!!

But here is another question for you GURUS...what tranny do you guys recommend I can swap in easily to make it a bit more freeway friendly (and gas friendly)

[sclor]

Dog:
What tranny do you have now and how many RPM's are you turning on the highway at 55?
Regards,
Steve
New Orleans

[ab positive bulldogs]

Dog:
What tranny do you have now and how many RPM's are you turning on the highway at 55?
Regards,
Steve
New Orleans

I am running a T400 right now...as far as RPMs i have NO idea I need to get a tachometer

[BarryGMC]

Two questions. 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton, and what gear ratio. Barry

[ab positive bulldogs]

Two questions. 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton, and what gear ratio. Barry

3/4 ton....I don't know my gear ratio..imma have t o find out :headscratch:

[BarryGMC]

I just saw your pic on the 67-72 site. Cool truck. Post a pic of the spid if it's still on the glovebox door. Second look at the rear end cover there may be a tag still on it, if it's there get the numbers off it. I am guessing 4.10. Since you did the trans work already I would suggest 3.54 gears in the rear. All of my gmc 3/4 tons get this ratio, and I find it a good compromise. Barry

[Ed Snyder]

There are several ways to drop your highway RPMs. From cheapest to most expensive:

1. taller rear tires
2. swap your 4.10 or 4.56 for 3.54 or 3.73 rear end ratio
3. swap your TH400 for a 4L80, 6L80, or one of their variations
4. install a Gearvendors overdrive behind the trans

[ab positive bulldogs]

I just saw your pic on the 67-72 site. Cool truck. Post a pic of the spid if it's still on the glovebox door. Second look at the rear end cover there may be a tag still on it, if it's there get the numbers off it. I am guessing 4.10. Since you did the trans work already I would suggest 3.54 gears in the rear. All of my gmc 3/4 tons get this ratio, and I find it a good compromise. Barry

the glove box door has been replaced...i looked at the pumkin and i got a pat # and another # that looks like .3 30255 :headscratch:

[BarryGMC]

So no little tag under a cover bolt. No spid. Time to jack up a wheel and put her in neutral and count how many times the driveline turns to one wheel turn. Now if it has a powerlock it may not turn easily. It will be half of your actual ratio. 4.10 would give 2 turns on the driveline, one turn of the wheel. Now if your handy with your wrenching skills I can walk you through a RP swap that you can do for less than 300.00 bucks if it's a 4.10 a hundred more if it's a 4.56. Barry

[Rick]

Hi,

I guess I am a bit late, but here is my take. If your 351 V6 is running well, why change. I can understand changing, if your engine is "shot". However, as others have said, that 351 (if taken care of) is good for 300 - 500 thousand miles.

Parts for these V6 engines are axially easy to find. If you look, you will find all parts. It just takes a bit of looking. Yes, the parts are not available "over the counter" at your local auto parts store. But who cares. I have a 62 305, now 401 V6 that I rebuilt 7 years ago. It is my daily driver. I even have "stockpiled" enough parts to rebuild it again. But, funny thing, I have never used any of these "stockpiled parts". The thing just keeps running. As others have said, if you treat this V6 with "reasonable care" it will run forever. It axially needs to be run, to last.

The best thing you can do with one of these V6's is to gear it so it can "keep up with" today's traffic. And return reasonable fuel mileage. With my 62/401 I get 13-14 around town & 17-18 highway. Average: 15-16. To get this mileage you must keep the RPM'S around 17-1800.

Good Luck & Keep that V6
Rick

[dthela]

got a 351 w/5spd in my yard right now! $200 for engine, $200 for tranny, plenty of parts!!!!

[bigblockv6]

You already have an automatic so I would go with a later model automatic like a 4L60(same as 700R4) 4L60E or the stronger 4L80E overdrive GM automatic transmissions, the later two will require a stand alone computer.

[FetchMeAPepsi]

welcome to the club ab! A 350 is soo popular and cool. It's fast too. You probably hear of people having them all the time because they're a reliable motor that never gives you any trouble for at least 70k miles. thats plenty of miles. Who drives more than that?

You should definitely just yank that old crusty 351 motor out and give it to someone. Since youre in CA you will probably be out a little for shipping, I'll send you my address so you dont have to just throw it away. Yep, definitely not a keeper. Nope. No way....



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[tommyduncan]

I just posted on your better mileage thread. I wish I saw this first...

Since you already have a TH-400 I wouldn't go backwards with a t5. I would look into regearing.
TH-400s usually go hand in hand with poor mileage. I am curious if you changed the torque converter when you rebuilt the trans and if it had any effect on mileage?

If you really want to do a small block swap I have one I will trade you for the 351. I will even bring it to you...

[BobBray]

Glad to see you found this website! One thing you have going for you is unlike a Chevy, your truck probably has a Dana 60 rear axle, and there are many ratio choices for you. If it was my truck and I wanted to make a daily driver out of it, I would consider keeping the very reliable Turbo 400 and change the rear axle ratio to a 3.54:1. The torque of the 351E will pull a tall gear no problem, and at highway speeds you won't be spinning all too fast. Since I see you live in Sylmar, you might want to talk to Hooper's in San Fernando about your rear axle.

[ab positive bulldogs]

Ok guys sorry for the late response! Work has been crazy and my laptop broke on me...
anyways! I installed a tach and im at 3200 rpm at 50mph.... i was thinking of doing the 3:54 gears but I just found out my friends buddy has some 4L80s laying around for $300 so now im tempted on the swap!
Decisions Decisions :(

[1969_CM2590D]

got a 351 w/5spd in my yard right now! $200 for engine, $200 for tranny, plenty of parts!!!!

Hmmm... found an engineless '68 Chevrolet Suburban 1/2 ton in Indiana... :)