I have a 91 Silverado 2WD, Ext Cab. Been a great truck, has about 208,000 on it right now. I think I burned a couple valves and the rings have had it I think. Very little compression in two cylinders. So...what to do?
Would it be better to rebuild my worn out 5.7L or find another one in the 80,000 mile range to put in it?
I would like to keep expenses to a minimum, of course. Not looking for a blue printed engine, just something solid, dependable, and running like the 5.7 should. I am the sentimental kind and hate to just throw that old engine out the back door. It has been good to me! ha ha! However, I am not beyond listening to common sense either.
It seems, in talking to my family and friends, that I should junk this engine and find another one. They say it's not worth rebuilding. My brother is a diesel mechanic and said he could rebuild it for about $800, but still recommends that I find a used engine to drop in.
I'm sure all of you will have an opinion too, but I thought I would post this to see if there are any options out there I might be overlooking.
Thanks, in advance, for your help.

 

why not just get a valve job done on the heads and change the rings?

 

i would buy a used engine, cuz those tbi 350s are cheap. keep you old one and hopefully you can find someone looking for a rebuildable engine and you can get a few bucks out of it.

 

You could also fork out an extra $200 (on top of that $800 rebuild for a total of $1000) and pick up a LS1 to drop in that bad boy.

You have plenty of options, friend. Some of them will be better, some cheaper, but make sure you will be happy with what ever decision you make.

 

if you want a rebuild 800 bucks is a hell of a deal! but then again yo. u can go find another one in the junk yard or find a used one but a full rebuild at that many miles is better than just replacing rings and valves at over 200,000. so i think the rebiuld is necessary if you decide too. but i think if the motor isnt smoking or nocking i would just wait until something actually goes wrong with it, my chevy trucks 4.3 has 243,000 miles on it and im having no problems it except for a little oil burn in the higher rpm's, and i know how dependable those 350's are, there was a fellow worker i know who had a 90 silverado with 450,000 miles on his and had no problems n never tore into the motor, great motors man

 

Buy a new engine from GM - $1995.00
http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/Pa...l.jsp?engine=0

Call your local Chevy Parts Dept or go in person to visit them...GM Parts Online show a new 350 Crate Long block at $2395.00 - -- however listed on that site - many dealers are selling them for $1995.00 to $2095.00..

Swap on your intake, water pump, balancer etc - and in one day your back on the road with a new engine - - no rebuild, nor used engine will match the quality.

Unless you have already done so recently -you could also shop your local junk yards for a low mileage transmission to put behind it and swap them both out at the same time - and be done with it.

 

re do the heads and rering it..that what I did to my 97 Tahoe it had 208000 miles on it burn no oil ust had a head go bad...good luck

 

Used motor is buying someone else's problems. Get it rebuilt or a new crate motor so you know what you are starting with

 

Yeap. I had a 1997 C-1500. Sold it at 309,000 miles. Only used half a quart of motor oil in 5000 miles when I sold it. Passed SMOG every time too. Had to have a
FWD, so I bought a K-1500.