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idahovette

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Perry
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1975-1979
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350
Isn't that hole for the pin mounted on the firewall that keeps the hood from coming back thru the windshield in a front impact??
 

Swearbody

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Jeff
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84
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C1500
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355 sbc
Gm sells a crate engine rated at 290 horse ...truck guys seem to end up disappointed with em . Good luck with yours.

What kind of oil are you using? Curious.

Im using one of those 290hp blocks in my truck at the moment. Have it mated to some aftermarket 2.02/1.60 72cc heads,rpm air gap intake,xe262h cam,Summit chromoly pushrods and comp springs/1.6 roller tip rockers. 1906 eddy carb and 16deg intitial 36total timing. The only thing thing left of the 290 motor is the rotating assembly but so far so good. build is only two weeks running though.
I put the hammer down for the first time today on a test run of sorts. It "accidentally" dropped into 1rst( first 700r4 ive had and first raised stall speed) and it startled me. The rpm went higher than ive ever revved a small block and to my surprise it was still building power so I guess it liked it. Scared the **** out of me to be honest. I pulled into the next gas station and popped the hood to take a listen and stop shaking. All seemed good so I gave it hell the few miles home. Im happy with the power and cant wait to go from 3.08 to 4.10
 

Tom Sawyer

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Dracut, MA
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Tom
Truck Year
1980
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C10 Silverado
Engine Size
350
Valvoline VR1 conventional racing oil, 10w30. Has the extra zinc.
And to you Britt, hello again, hope you’re well. I am thrilled with the increase in power. A blessing in disguise, although an expensive one. I’ve been jokingly accused of leaving oil out of the 305 so I could “upgrade”. Have to admit I wasn’t wicked sad when it happened, a little maybe, cuz of the money.
 

Rusty Nail

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1977
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Im using one of those 290hp blocks in my truck at the moment. Have it mated to some aftermarket 2.02/1.60 72cc heads,rpm air gap intake,xe262h cam,Summit chromoly pushrods and comp springs/1.6 roller tip rockers. 1906 eddy carb and 16deg intitial 36total timing. The only thing thing left of the 290 motor is the rotating assembly but so far so good. build is only two weeks running though.
I put the hammer down for the first time today on a test run of sorts. It "accidentally" dropped into 1rst( first 700r4 ive had and first raised stall speed) and it startled me. The rpm went higher than ive ever revved a small block and to my surprise it was still building power so I guess it liked it. Scared the **** out of me to be honest. I pulled into the next gas station and popped the hood to take a listen and stop shaking. All seemed good so I gave it hell the few miles home. Im happy with the power and cant wait to go from 3.08 to 4.10

Pix?
 

Goldie Driver

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1980
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GMC K1500 Suburban
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350

I think the 350 code was LM7, but not positive on that. Not the motors fault- oil quality has improved quite a bit, GM recommended 7500 mile oil change intervals, bad emmission design means # 6 & #8 get cooked by the EFE and EGR, and low compression for emmissions and mild cam action meant low HP from the factory.

Just the way it was.
 

Salty Crusty

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Texas
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Gary
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1986
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c1500
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565
Yes, Rusty Nail, I’m still here. Remember all that blather about modifying my mint, 52K 305 motor? All for naught... I blew a connecting rod out the bottom just cruising down the highway at 70. She now has a new crate 350 with Edelbrock intake and 4 barrel, stainless headers and exhaust to match. Go big or go home, right? Although big is really a big block, but I can’t afford that. She is my daily driver after all.
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This is EXACTLY why I hate flying.
Anything mechanical is subject to failure at ANY TIME.
Sometimes **** just breaks.
Ask anyone familiar with the legendary 409 engine. They were legendary for kicking the rods out the pan.
 

fast68chevy

I am the original fast68chevy
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LINCOLN IL
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RANDY
Truck Year
1975
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C20
Engine Size
350
I think the 350 code was LM7, but not positive on that. Not the motors fault- oil quality has improved quite a bit, GM recommended 7500 mile oil change intervals, bad emission design means # 6 & #8 get cooked by the EFE and EGR, and low compression for emmissions and mild cam action meant low HP from the factory.

Just the way it was.
LM7 was one of the RPO codes for one of the 350 motors in these trucks, and there were several. depending on emisions equipment and GVWR level. 6200lbs GVWR was the cutoff for emissions equipment levels(the 1970s years F44 RPO equipped and BIG10 trucks etc 'cheated' this federal requirement).
there were several 350 motors including vin digit code L and code M and so on ones... over the years. code L was light GVWR more emissions equipment, ESC/EST with the E-series carb and knock sensor timing retard funtion HEI system) and a catlytic converter and so on... code-M 350 motors usually didnt have the others and basically had EGR and relly no other emissions equipment, and had an M-series carb(non-ESC/EST).


and high zinc and phosppphorus content motor oil is what you want in all your flat tappet style camshaft motors.. luca hot rod and classic oil, or break in oi, or VR1 racing oil, etc. althoguh im not sure what the levels of the current VR1 oil are now, it may not have enough ZDDP etc in it now, so i dont use it alone, but i will use some VR1 oil just to top it off, for when it needs a little bit, from being a little low, from normal use over time. a juuug of H/R and clasic oil or break in oil is only 40 bucks on amazon. and i use what i drain out of my motors when i do an oil change for my old mowers etc. all my mower motors are 1990s or older.
 
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Goldie Driver

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1980
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GMC K1500 Suburban
Engine Size
350
LM7 was one of the RPO codes for one of the 350 motors in these trucks, and there were several. depending on emisions equipment and GVWR level. 6200lbs GVWR was the cutoff for emissions equipment levels(the 1970s years F44 RPO equipped and BIG10 trucks etc 'cheated' this federal requirement).
there were several 350 motors including vin digit code L and code M and so on ones... over the years. code L was light GVWR more emissions equipment, ESC/EST with the E-series carb and knock sensor timing retard funtion HEI system) and a catlytic converter and so on... code-M 350 motors usually didnt have the others and basically had EGR and relly no other emissions equipment, and had an M-series carb(non-ESC/EST).


and high zinc and phosppphorus content motor oil is what you want in all your flat tappet style camshaft motors.. luca hot rod and classic oil, or break in oi, or VR1 racing oil, etc. althoguh im not sure what the levels of the current VR1 oil are now, it may not have enough ZDDP etc in it now, so i dont use it alone, but i will use some VR1 oil just to top it off, for when it needs a little bit, from being a little low, from normal use over time. a juuug of H/R and clasic oil or break in oil is only 40 bucks on amazon. and i use what i drain out of my motors when i do an oil change for my old mowers etc. all my mower motors are 1990s or older.


1980 GMC K10 Suburban , Federal Emissions, TKL beginning to the VIN.

The SPID lists the motor option code as 1LS9.


Just an old, tired, oil burning 350 ...


:anitoof:
 

SquareRoot

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Guillotine king pin.
 

Goldie Driver

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I like that engine bay, BTW - clean, all engine & bidness. Since I just did my wires yesterday I can say mine is nowhere near that - you almost cannot see the vacuum advance unit due to hoses & the EGR.

If it runs as good as it looks - hell, yeah !! :favorites13:
 

Rusty Nail

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Man looks really terrific Tom, great job.

I think some truck guys dont like that 290 because in crate form the powerband seems to be tuned opposite a truck's needs and that 290 horse doesnt come in until very high in the RPM range. From what I gather...Its all moot. Tryin to make conversation.. I know, its awkward. :(

Blather blather
 
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AuroraGirl

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Northern Wisconsin
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Taylor
Truck Year
1978, 1980
Truck Model
K10, K25
Engine Size
400(?), 350
1980 GMC K10 Suburban , Federal Emissions, TKL beginning to the VIN.

The SPID lists the motor option code as 1LS9.


Just an old, tired, oil burning 350 ...


:anitoof:
My 1980 K25 federal emissions, tkl vin got the LT9. it was over the GVWR to not have cats and stuff. it was tired and poopey since it was new. its laying sideways on the floor in my shop
 

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