I have a 1994 Yukon (240K miles) used for DD and towing my CJ to the trails.
The freeze plug between engine/tranny went, so need to pull either the engine or transmission. Estimates from shops have proven to be too expensive ($800-$900, with essential no improvements in performance). Had a quote from stealership to install new motor as well. $4300! Thinking I may install a new engine myself. But I would have to choose a motor. Would like to maintain gas mileage of 16mpg unloaded, 11-12 towing. More power would be nice.

A stock replacement engine (200hp) runs $1800 from chevy. They don't have a tourque rating listed.
GM also produces these crate engines relatively cheap.
290hp/326ft.lbs for $1650
330hp/380ft.lbs for $2400

Obviously these figures are at higher rpms than the truck engine. Would these engines be dogs or superstars in my application?

Thanks
John

need a little more info on the engines, a stock replacement tbi would work for you, a 350 would be best and would boltup using everything that you have now.

The stock replacement engine is the 350 TBI. The other engines are 350s as well. I just got back from Heritage Chevrolet in Chester, VA. Parts guy said that the other motors may have diffiuclty reading MAP sensors and such.

what about building what you have? Either a 355 or 383 in your block, and if you want consider vortec heads. Keep all your tbi.


micky

Why do you need a new engine? Just due to miles? Does it smoke or burn oil? If not, pull the trans, slam some brass freeze plugs and call it good. I would not rebuild just due to mileage. My humble opinion. Worth exactly what I charge for it.............

you arnt gonna find a good deal on a replacement engine from a dealership around richmond, they just suck unless oyu can get it wholesale. Probably the most cost effective way is like 440 said, rebuild it totally if you are gonna go through the trouble of putting a new freeze plug in.

This will of course mean that you need to have it bored out and honed at a machine shop and then a rebuild kit from summit racing, plus some press work for the piston rods and maybe a magnaflux.

You could also look for a used tbi 350 in the Central Virginia trading post or even a whole truck and use it for parts. Lots of options.

i would rebuild yours if you got a good shop in the area and assable it your self you can build a 9:1 383 with a 3 angle valve job and a mild cam that will work with your injection for about 1700

. Probably the most cost effective way is like 440 said, rebuild it totally if you are gonna go through the trouble of putting a new freeze plug in.



I was the guy that said pull the trans, slam some freeze plugs and drive it. Unless the motor knocks or smokes, why not. I just do not believe in rebuilding just due to miles.

Why do you need a new engine? Just due to miles? Does it smoke or burn oil? If not, pull the trans, slam some brass freeze plugs and call it good. I would not rebuild just due to mileage. My humble opinion. Worth exactly what I charge for it.............


Well, bad gets worse. Just found out that I'm soon to be out of work. With a shortend budget coming, looks as though this will be the route I'm going to have to take. The motor does run surprisingly well, and doesn't burn or leak any oil.

Are there freeze plugs in the head as well? or just in the block. I want to be sure to replace them all.

Thanks for your input.

John

freeze plugs are in the block


if you ever need a good machine shop there is RPM machine right off of midlothain turnpike about 1/4 east of chesterfield town center. Good luck!!

the best engine replacement for a tbi truck is to use the l31 vortec long block, get the gmpp intake or adapt a airgap to fit the tbi. the intake it about 300 bucks from jegs or scoggin dickey parts center. (www.sdpc2000.com.) sdpc is the people who did all the testing on the set up. the dyno numbers were 280hp and 390tq. i did the conversion on my last truck and it made a wold of difference. after the swap though i ended up toasting a few transmission because of the power difference. after the swap i could pull 7-8k trailer at 80mph with ease till the 700r4 blew up. the vortec roller cam is alot better than the stock tbi cam. im about to do this swap again on my current truck but im going to a lt1 cam and get a chip to do away with the egr. all in all the only hard part of the swap is the plumbing is a little defferent from the tbi. it really isnt that much of a pain. and if you get the vortec tbi intake you will have to route a tube from the exaust manifold to the intake for proper egr function as the vortec heads have no egr provisions.i would get a custom ship to do away with the egr. my milage was 17-19 on the hiway in a 91 excab z71 with 33" tires and 3.73 gears and a heavy foot. the only real difference in the engines is the intake, everything else will bolt up to the l31 engine accessories etc. i bought my motor out of a wrecking yard a few years ago and paid about $1000 buck shipped with a 1yr unlimited miles labor included replacement warranty. the engine had like 30k on it and the warranty was better than the gm parts 12mo/12k mi warranty. it also came witht he vortec injection which i sold on ebay for 150 bucks to recoup some of the cost. if you go this way you could probably sell your current engine to also help recoup costs