Well the engine I have in my 80 RS is out of a 79 Z, when I got it from the guy he told me it was rebuilt aprox 15,000 miles ago, but that was 9 yrs ago, it sat unstarted for about 7 yrs. Now that I got it in my car I noticed some things.... I am pretty sure it has severe blowby .... I change the oil and within 500 miles its almost black! And the valve stem seals seem to be shot ( shoots out some smoke on initial startup) and it consumes oil very quicky. Do you think this might be because it sat for so long without being started? I was thinking about just having it rebuilt but no idea how much that would cost caus I dont have the tools in my new house to do it, so I would have to take it somewhere. SO anyone with any advice or input plz leave it. Thx

 

What you have is an LM-1 350, rated at 175HP and 285 ft.lbs. torque. Sounds to me like it needs a rebuild. Any decent jobber machine shop should be able to rebuild it for you for a decent price.

Dave

 

Seven years is more than long enough to dry out the seals/gaskets and form rust on the internals. Id suggest you find a good (GOOD, not the cheapest) engine builder. Ask around, call a few shops in the area and see who they recommend. Often they will mostly suggest the same shop or two. You shouldnt be hit too hard by machining if the engine was rebuilt only 23000km ago. Possibly just needs a hone if you are lucky. Again, dont skimp on the machine work, find a good place and pay whats needed for them to do it right. You will want new cam/lifters and valve springs for sure. Sitting like that wipes them out.
Good Luck.
CoryM

 

Could old crappy valve covers have anything do with it? I just took mine off and they are all nice and gritty. The breathers are stuck full of grime and so are the valve covers themselves. Just a thought caus the breathers look like they are almost completely unable to breathe.

 

Sounds like whoever had that engine didn't believe in regular oil changes. Looks like rebuild time to me.

Dave

 

Well I am taking my block in to get machined and they do all the work there, tear the block down and once its done put it back together. Now what Im looking to do is make this 79 175 hp stock beast push 300+ hp. Is this an unlikely #? I beleive its already bored but no clue how much over. Can anyone suggest what I should have done when I take my block in to get some #'s close to 300?

 

It's very possible to make 300+ hp, but not with the stock heads. I have around 350 at the crank in mine with S/R Torker heads and an XE 272H cam.

You might also look into something like one of GM's crate engines. This 330 hp engine goes for ~$2200 at pace parts - http://www.paceparts.com/product.asp?0=239&1=241&3=886

You could also go with the deluxe engine which comes with carb, intake manifold, distrubiter, etc...

 

That's the way to go for sure.

 

Yeah I was looking at crate engines as an option. The guy told me ( at the machine shop) that that GM crate engines are usally engines that dont meet the specs and they are not put in new cars. He said in other words they arn't perfect. Uhm... I have a feeling this is totally bs, but I could be wrong. How much is it to ship an engine??? I wouldnt imagine cheap.

Oh yeh, the questions about the 79 350 are from the motor I got in my new 79 Z project, this isnt for my 80 RS. Just in case your wondering

 

That machine shop guy is full of crap. Those crate engines from GM come complete with a warranty, and GM-grade parts through-out. When was the last time a ZZ4 was in a 'production vehicle', since he said the crate engines are rejects from the production line? The GM crate engines are brand-new not remanufactured. Your machine shop guy wants to make a few duckatoons off you, and is attempting to sway you away from GM's excellent offerings.

If I was in the market for a a crate engine, I'd be right down at my local Chevrolet dealer and order one out of the GMPP catalogue. Those engines have earned an excellent reputation, and deliver the power as advertised.

Next time you talk to your machine shop guy, ask him where crop circles come from, and see what he says. I'm sure he has a conspiracy theory about that too.

Dave

 

Yes I know he was full of crap, but I just sat there and agreed with him, didn't want to start an engine debate with a machine shop guy .