What is an goodwrench targetmaster 350?

[Avery brown]

So i have a target master good wrench 350 in my 1974 k20 and i dont know what year it is or what parts i can put on it.
it runs good but it is a mess. It has spark plug wires taped together and there is a bunch of miscellaneous crappy wires hanging everywhere.
I dont know if i should just fix it up clean up all the wires put new valve covers on and plug wires and just run it tell it blows or should i find a used sbc 350 and rebuild it? I Know it will be expensive but i think it will be worth it because im only 14 and it will help me understand it better. I've rebuilt a 3 cylinder snowmobile engine before and worked on a few single cylinder engines. Plus i have a grandpa who is a really good mechanic who has worked on these for years and years who could help me. I'm not the richest of the bunch but i could come up with some money. Any tips appreciated. If you want to know what i'm trying to do with my truck its on my page. Thanks, Avery

 

[Avery brown]

My engine

 

[bucket]

"Target Master" is the predecessor to the Goodwrench 350 that's been sold for years. If it's not an oil burning pig, you can just clean it up, paint it and do a basic tuneup.

Those "ram's horn" manifolds and air cleaner look like '67-'68 parts.

 

[Avery brown]

"Target Master" is the predecessor to the Goodwrench 350 that's been sold for years. If it's not an oil burning pig, you can just clean it up, paint it and do a basic tuneup.

Those "ram's horn" manifolds and air cleaner look like '67-'68 parts.

Thanks, Do you know if the parts from a target master are interchangeable with a sbc 350? Well depending on what year anyways.

 

[WFO]

Thanks, Do you know if the parts from a target master are interchangeable with a sbc 350? Well depending on what year anyways.

Yeah, parts will interchange, because it is a small block Chevy. The Target Master, or later the Goodwrench, are just GM replacement sbc engines.

 

[75gmck25]

The Targetmaster will be a 70’s vintage 350 with 2 piece rear main seal, iron smog-era heads with the 12 bolt intake pattern used from 55-86, and a mild hydraulic cam ( about 192/202 @ .050). I would change oil and antifreeze and drive it for a while to see how it runs.

It may have a Quadrajet carburetor. They can be a PIA to tune if someone has been messing with them. Switching to something like the Edelbrock AVS2 might be simpler than trying to fix a Quadrajet that’s in bad shape.

One highly recommended initial upgrade is to use HEI ignition, which was introduced in trucks in ‘75. The GM large cap HEI just drops in, and they are available both used and new. Also replace plugs and plug wires. Gap plugs to .035-.040, not the .060 GM initial recommended. Set base timing to about 10-12 degrees BTDC, and verify that mechanical (18-20) and vacuum (15-18) advance are working.

 

[Avery brown]

Yeah, parts will interchange, because it is a small block Chevy. The Target Master, or later the Goodwrench, are just GM replacement sbc engines.

Ok, Thank you

 

[Avery brown]

The Targetmaster will be a 70’s vintage 350 with 2 piece rear main seal, iron smog-era heads with the 12 bolt intake pattern used from 55-86, and a mild hydraulic cam ( about 192/202 @ .050). I would change oil and antifreeze and drive it for a while to see how it runs.

It may have a Quadrajet carburetor. They can be a PIA to tune if someone has been messing with them. Switching to something like the Edelbrock AVS2 might be simpler than trying to fix a Quadrajet that’s in bad shape.

One highly recommended initial upgrade is to use HEI ignition, which was introduced in trucks in ‘75. The GM large cap HEI just drops in, and they are available both used and new. Also replace plugs and plug wires. Gap plugs to .035-.040, not the .060 GM initial recommended. Set base timing to about 10-12 degrees BTDC, and verify that mechanical (18-20) and vacuum (15-18) advance are working.

Ok I will do those things but probably keep the quadjet and at least know I know I have a pre 80s target master.
I have an exshaust leak and I might just through some headers on there I just have to find what ones will fit know. Thanks for the help.

 

[Ricko1966]

My 02 cents in your post you said something about running it tell it blows and building another small block. If you build one build that on.Because it's a replacement it will probably be lower milage than an original. I believe the target masters were 4 bolt. It is a chevy 350 all the common stuff swaps. Better heads,an intake, more cam, rings,rods and mains you'd very likely have a very dependable engine with plenty of power.

 

[Rusty Nail]

Yeahhhh but next time you're staring at it gonna fantasize and daydream,take a rag out there with ya. Maybe some Windex or Fantastik... Some kind of cleaner that isn't 409. Lemon maybe Orange?
Windex will clean anything.

Looks to me Little Avery that a boy like you could clean on that engine for a good, long while.

That's where I'd start because:
Clean engines are more happy.

 

[bucket]

Yeahhhh but next time you're staring at it gonna fantasize and daydream,take a rag out there with ya. Maybe some Windex or Fantastik... Some kind of cleaner that isn't 409. Lemon maybe Orange?
Windex will clean anything.

Looks to me Little Avery that a boy like you could clean on that engine for a good, long while.

That's where I'd start because:
Clean engines are more happy.

Lol, I really like how you put things sometimes.

But why not 409?

 

[Rusty Nail]

It can be "too strong" sometimes maybe.
When you get to rubbin on 30-40 year old stuff it's very easy to lose important details or letters a guy might want to look at later, not knowing it was there and ya can't put it back.

Sure maybe after it's clean 409 might be appropriate in some areas but especially in Avery's case, he may not be keen about which areas to avoid. Better safe than sorry especially working on classics, some of that stuff is irreplaceable.

A word of cautionary advice, that's all.

There are better cleaner choices for a kid like him in my opinion - 409 can be too strong. Windex is my friend. It likes the heat generated when rubbing hard and everybody has some. (Windex) Makes stuff shiny but not slick. Doesn't collect and attract dust.


It's not like anyone reading this has ever erased a 40 year old sticker on accident. It sucks.

 

[Rusty Nail]

.

 

[Frankenchevy]

Don’t use pine sol on the painted side of your idiot light lenses. Been there, done that.

 

[Ontheboulder]

I use Citrol for degreaser/cleaner. Its biodegradable and works great.if you got decent water pressure you can just spray most of the dirt and grime off in a couple rounds of using it. spray it on and let it soak for 10-15 minutes then wash it off. just google Citrol and you can see where you can find it locally