i got a motor question

[kramntab]

hey guys, i got a motor question. i just bought a 89 chevy s10 and i do not know a whole lot about motors. i know i have a stock 4 bangger in it now. i am starting to ask around for new motors but i do not know what i should look for. so the question that i have is..... What would be the best V8 motor to put in to it. not so much the fastest motor but the easyest motor to learn to build. i would like to just start from a block. so if anyone has any ideas please reply back. Thank you! Mark

[manofthehour114]

The 350s with a 4 bolt main are probably the most popular V8 build done, not only in S10s, but in any street rod period :p
Parts and blocks are plentiful and cheap.

Post up a build thread when you get started!

[kramntab]

thanks man for the info i will look in to it and let you all know how it is going.

http://medford.craigslist.org/pts/1338207162.html

is this some thing like that? or a good price?

[Big Mack Daddy]

thanks man for the info i will look in to it and let you all know how it is going.

http://medford.craigslist.org/pts/1338207162.html

is this some thing like that? or a good price?

that seems like a fair deal but try and talk him down on the price a little. my fullsize has the 350 4 bolt main and they are one helluva motor. one of the easiest and cheapest motors out there to build the living s#it out of.

[neo71665]

Don't overlook the 2 bolt main. They can often times be found for cheaper and in a street truck just as good. Plus later on if you decide to go all out you can keep the block and put the (much better than stock) splayed 4 bolt main caps on it.

[Tink]

X2 on the 2 bolt main... they can withstand plenty of power. If you need the 4 bolt main block because your build is that hairy, then it probably won't be very streetable, IMO.

[kramntab]

that was the only motor in this area on craigs list. i will keep looking. and the guy that owns it will not budge on the price.

[Tink]

I know NO ONE will agree with me, but I also think that a 305 would make a nice motor in an S10... the S10s are so light that the power a 305 would make would be plenty. We are looking at putting a 305 in our 83... I'm also looking at keeping a 307 in my Nova.




While it may be a machismo thing for rodders to avoid the "three-oh's," many smaller trucks and hot rods would actually benefit from the non-350s. Sure, there is a definite loss of performance experienced from these engines, but not everyone needs 400-plus horsepower. In response to the extremely high price of gas these days, we wanted to come up with an engine that offered good all-around performance yet didn't empty the wallet every other day at the pumps.

For our collaborative efforts-not to mention the efforts of the new parts-the 307 put out a very respectable 315hp at 5,200 rpm and 330 lb-ft torque at 3,800 rpm.
For a lighter vehicle, this is a perfect engine to stick under the hood. You're going to get plenty of power, have more than enough torque to move the weight, and just as importantly, you're not going to spend a fortune at the pump. If you're in the market for an engine for a new project (or an existing one) and want to keep things relatively simple, flip open the classifieds and start calling on some of those 307s (or 305s) you always see listed for almost nothing. Do what we did and you'll be thanking yourself for years to come.

[neo71665]

I know NO ONE will agree with me, but I also think that a 305 would make a nice motor in an S10... the S10s are so light that the power a 305 would make would be plenty. We are looking at putting a 305 in our 83... I'm also looking at keeping a 307 in my Nova.


305s do make nice v8s for a street only s-10. While I have had too many bad experiences with them and don't care too much for em I will agree on ya there.

The 305 was the first thing I ditched on my 78 nova, its still sitting on a motor roller in the shed.

[ClassicMotion]

305's are good by me. With an RV cam replacement they can outperform a stock 350 and get better mileage doing it. If you want to go as fast as possible without boost or spray, engine size is everything; And a 350 or 400 wuld be a better choice. But for a quick street machine or moderate towing a 305 works great.