just wondering if anybody has had any experience with an engine swap on an early model k5. lots of companies out there and i don't need alot of horsepower(will be my teenage son's car) and wouldl like to use the existing edelbrock carb. it is an all stock 4x4 with an automatic turbo 350. i'm pretty sure existing 350 motor is stock and pretty much done

 

I've never done a motor swap on a k5 but have on a few other cars and trucks. Anything you find for a good crate 350 through either summit or jegs if you just want to buy an all new already assembled crate motor will work. I would recommend an rv cam so that it has plenty of down low torque and still sounds cool. It won't have as much top end to get crazy in speed but will still be fun to drive and a bit more reliable than something with a big cam that's built for going fast all the time. If you go that road you could put your accessories (water pump, power steering pump, alternator, carb) on and have it in the truck and running in a weekend or two.

 

Personally, I would find a local engine builder, machine shop and have them assemble a long block for for you. You can reuse many of your components and learn a little about how it all goes together. I'm not sure of your knowledge or experience but if it is a kids car him seeing all the work it takes to make it run could help him gain a little respect for it and take better care of it. cherry pickers and engine stands are easy enough to find on craigslist. Besides a priming tool the rest are basic hand tools. or air if you're lucky enough to have those.

 

this,case closed. tiny bit more then a rebuild (doing it yourself) ,ready to install.
Chevrolet Performance 10067353, GM Goodwrench 350ci Engine & Packages | Chevrolet Performance
1500 bucks, they are awesome.

 

I installed a GM Goodwrench Engine (Longblock) 4.3 V6. The advantage is you get a engine warranty that you can actually use. Any GM dealer can honor the warranty if you. The warranty on my engine was 3 yrs or 36,000 miles but I believe GM has extended the warranty since I installed my engine. I have over a 100K miles on the GM Goodwrench engine and it is running as strong as the day I installed it.