Having 4 kids, trying to turn a side hustle into a full time business, and winter in Denver make for a bad combination to try and work on a truck outside! This has been a work in progress for several months But it has FINALLY happened! My donor engine has been pulled!!!
I can hear the echo's of everyone's opinions... just do an LS swap... I know, I know... it's a popular option! I deeply considered this and even ran a cost analysis. Here's the thing... I know Gen I 350's decently well, and I know very little about the LS. I am not looking for a quick swap or repair job, I am looking for a robust, long lasting, I can fix on the side of the road kind of solution. And so, I am going to stick with a 350, but I am aiming for 350-450 HP with a similar amount of torque, instead of the 195 horses of the stock engine. This is plenty of power for the kinds of wheeling I enjoy, and very achievable on a budget with my current knowledge base.
I am not on this journey alone! I am being accompanies by, none other than the engine building wizard himself, David Vizard... ok, not him in person, but his brilliant books and youtube videos. If you have not checked out his content, and you are considering a rebuild yourself, you have to check out his work!
https://amzn.to/3GB7IuM
Following his excellent advice, 350-450 hp should be VERY realistic!
In the coming weeks/months, I'll be documenting my journey here, and perhaps a bit on youtube as well. I cannot wait to get this 'ole boy back on the road!