Early 350 blocks the same as base GM crate?

I have a 69 SBC engine that I was going to run but have decided to go the crate route now. Question is..can I used this block as a guide for engine mounts and ****** placement, the crate I am looking at is the 290hp base version, cast block and heads. I believe they are both Gen 1 but not totally sure...thanks

 

Yes

 

They're mostly the same. The oil pan is different, because the crate block has provisions for dipsticks on both sides of the block. Thru 79 all production engines had the dipstick on the left, starting in 80 they were on the right.

 

yes..... both basically the same

that GM crate has provisions for oil dip stick on either side

 

Which makes installing a dipstick that you can actually use a hell of a lot easier in some rods.

 

Externally they're the same.

But i have a hunch that the 69 is of much better quality. More durable.


By the way, if anyone gives a plop there is a special oil pan with an external dipstick (goes into the pan only, not the block) which could solve some problems with dipstick placement---in certain cases there is interference with certain exhaust manifolds.

i can get the part # if anyone needs it.

 

Yes and you can use 2 dip sticks, 1 on each side in case you don't believe the first one.

 

correct and kinda KOOL

there are some really smart people here in the HAMB

 

The Vette I put the Goodwrench 350 into was a 68 and I had to modify a few little brackets and stuff like that, but nothing major or hard at all. It literally was the easiest engine replacement I have ever done.

Don

 

...and after being in a Vette, that crate motor was now a Vette 350! and worth twice as much