Blowing blue smoke

[viscodad]

I'm about to take the $1800.00 plunge and have my 89 GW's 360 8 cylinder engine rebuilt. Before I do that I was wondering if there was any advice out there for me.

[jode]

Why not buy a 401 block and have it rebuilt instead?

[Ernzo]

Check out the various discussions here on buying a LB motor and installing it, or having it installed. Some start at 1200 buks, less shipping and core deposit. I think that 1800, out the door is good, DEPENDING on what is being done ( and the quality of the work. Get refrences)

[viscodad]

Jode, does the 401 block mesh with the transmission?

[jode]

For 1800, what about a Chev 350?
Future parts are cheap
Future rebuilds = cheap
Gas mileage =better
torque = less (potentially)
HP = more (potentially)
the only questions would be getting the new exhaust manifolds and adapters
(at least that's my two bits....)
Chevy 350
$100 junkyard core
$150 rebuild kit
$500 blockwork?
$100 valve seating?
$150 other gaskets and stuff?
$????? ?????anythign else????
$200 other adapters?
It is still cheaper... I could be wrong on this, but why not look into it?
:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

[johnwaynejeep]

before you spend $1800. where is the blue smoke coming from. blue smoke usually comes from burning oil. oil usually enters the cylinders from either the piston rings or the valve seals. You can determine that by doing a dry and wet compression test. If your rings are worn then your better off doing a rebuild or buying a new motor. If it's the valve seals then you can do a top end rebuild which is just rebuilding the heads. I think that would only cost a few hundred dollars and may fix your problem.

[jode]

Yes, as fara as I know (back me up riverbeast or porkchop or someone) the 360 and 401 are completely interchangeable (it may even be the same block :confused: on the other hand) Any way, I thiiknk the TH400 has a standard AMC housing on it that all the AMC engines bolted to. Before taking any of this as gospel though, you better get someone who REALLY knows what they are talking about. I am jsut a hack.
Although I had the exact same prob about two months ago with my 401. (was blowing oil smoke back out throguht the oil filler cap somehting feirce) and I had to replace the engine. I found a "rebuilt" 401 from a Wag that was being parted out and had recently changed ownership several times (the guy I got it from said it had been rebuilt "recently" but that was jsut waht the guy HE bought it from had said. I swapped the 401s and this "rebuilt" one is great. I got it for $100 so I figured that even if it wasn't rebuilt any time recently, it was worth the risk of $100 and a 24 hour wrenching session. It was. ANyway, that's about as far as my experience goes (that was my first engine swap) so I really don't know what I'm talking about. :rolleyes:

[viscodad]

Thank You Everyone

[reddog]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by jode:
For 1800, what about a Chev 350?
Future parts are cheap
Future rebuilds = cheap
Gas mileage =better
torque = less (potentially)
HP = more (potentially)
the only questions would be getting the new exhaust manifolds and adapters
(at least that's my two bits....)
Chevy 350
$100 junkyard core
$150 rebuild kit
$500 blockwork?
$100 valve seating?
$150 other gaskets and stuff?
$????? ?????anythign else????
$200 other adapters?
It is still cheaper... I could be wrong on this, but why not look into it?
:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: <hr></blockquote>

I don't beleive the adapters are that cheap. And why would less torque be a good thing?? JMHO

Kerry

[jode]

Did I say less torque was a good thing?
I was merely trying to throw out all the info.
OOPs :eek: I'll watch my future implications. As to an adaptor....????...I am jist guessin....but I bet it could be done while keepin the bill under $1800

What does "JMHO" mean?

[ April 19, 2002: Message edited by: jode ]</p>

[Dan]

JMHO = Just my honest (or humble) opinion.

Was wondering if a re-ring is ever beneficial, or is it better just to do a full rebuild? Might be beneficial if you can get another 30K or so out of it before having to do a full rebuild (if the rings are the problem). Anyone have any comments?

[ April 19, 2002: Message edited by: Dan ]</p>

[ArtsiFrtsi]

:D Jode, where in ID are you located? you can come over to see what a SBC 327 looks like under the hood of an FSJ. I'm down in Burley... :D