Engine Newbie
 

Alright, I'm real close to picking up an 86 Camaro, with no engine. I also happen to have a friend who owns an 87 Chevy truck, that had a 350 in it. Well he shot a rod with that engine, and he's having a 327 put in its place. He told me I was welcome to the old 350 if I wanted to rebuild it, which I really would like to do. So my question to you guys that are much more knowledgeable than myself, is this. What all would I have to replace on an engine that's thrown a rod, and about how much could that run?

well u cant know for sure until the motor is apart. could be the block crank and head/s are shot. or not. without knowing more i would say from 1 to 5k depending on what u do or have to have done.

he was told that in order to get it running he'd have to replace the cylinder head, and one other part that I can't remember the name of at the moment. for around $100-400 for the head, and $200 for the other part. But his parents decided they wanted to put the new engine in instead. don't know why exactly. If I can get some pics I will.

If the engine actually threw a rod, there is probably some serious damage. Besides the bad rod, at minimum the crank will need to be reground or replaced. The block may have been damage by the flying rod, the piston could have crashed into the head and damaged both itself and the head. Being that the engine is free, take it apart and see what it looks like on the inside. If it is beyond repair, trash it. Otherwise you can put it back toghether on the cheap, but there is no guarantee that it will last for long. The best would be a complete overhaul, which if done properly, will cost nearly as much as rebuilt engine, depending on how much work you are willing and able to do yourself.

alright new story. the engine i might get is a 1983 305 small block, not a 350. he had the right numbers, wrong order i guess. this might be better suited to my ideals anyways because I want to put it in a 3rd gen camaro. it did throw a rod, however we've been told there is no block damage, just that the head is warped, and the rod and cylinder head are shot to hell. I'm planning on going to school for mechanics, so having this to rebuild for homework should be a good little project i'm guessing.