New engine for 83 El camino?
I have a V6 engine in the vehicle now. I want to drop a 350 into it and I am on a $3,000 budget. I am in Texas vehicle is California so I am going to have to pay someone for labor.I understand that I am going to have to switch the transmission out because it was a V6 and it probably cant handle a 350. I am not sure what I can and cannot swap out from engine to engine as far as pumps and the radiator and other stuff.Again, I have 3 G's. I want a new engine but other Performance parts can wait. I need it to make it from Ca to Texas. Am I being unrealistic or is this possible? Any advice would be appreciated.
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For $3K, you should be able to rent a U-Haul with a car trailer one way and have money left over to make the truck driveable. Cross country long distance driving with an untested engine is asking for trouble.
you can find a GMPP (GM Performance Parts) long block, which is the engine assembled, not including the intake, carb, ignition, things of that nature for under $2000. the stuff not included in the long block, you can get that at a junk yard or on craigslist.org to keep w/the budget. the transmission, however, may be able to be re-used. if you have a 4.3 V6, the bellhousing on the back of the engine block is the same as a 350. if you have a 3.8, you can get an adapter kit for the trans to block, thus letting you re-use the trans. you will need to swap the engine mount pads on the sub-frame of the car to make the 350 fit properly, which is fairly simple, just cut the old ones off, and weld the new ones on. have fun. oh, and before i forget, you'll also need either a new trans crossmember or have to relocate it and get a custom length driveshaft.
If you have to pay to have it done, with the cost of labor And an engine and miscellaneous parts I doubt if 3 grand will cover it. Is the v6 shot or will it get you to Texas so you Can do the work your self?