Sure, as long as the block isn't cracked or the cylinders aren't scored too deep.
Mexican crate SBC
Would this be a good candidate for a rebuild, or should I look for another good 350 block?
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I wouldn't rebuild any Mexican block. I understand that the Mexican blocks are 60 lbs. lighter than the good old castings that came out of US foundries. 60 lbs. means a lot less iron and thus a lot less strength.
Anything after about 1973-74 is about 50-60lbs lighter. Oil shortage years, beginning of the end of the good ole' days! I'd just use it for a mild engine, though. Some of the Mex blocks had pretty shoddy quality control.
I do not know this for fact but have heard from several racers that the Mexican block was manufactured with an inferior ore material.My younger brother bought one after I told him not to,had it machined and spent quite a large amount of coin on it.The block cracked between 3 & 5 after 4 months.I would stay away.
The earlier blocks that were manufactured in Mexico (they were called Target engines I think) did have some problems. These have been corrected according to GM. Check out where all the Chevrolet engines in the newer cars are manufactured. Hecho En Mexico!
Just so you know how I found this out...In 2000 I purchased a new GM Performance 350 cu.in. with 4 bolt mains from a well known Chevrolet dealer here in North Carolina. It comes with a 2 year 36,000 mile warranty when installed by anyone in a GM vehicle. When it arrived I noticed the Hecho En Mexico cast on the block and was really P... Off. I imediately called the dealership and talked to the fellow I had made the sale with and told him he had sent me the wrong engine. He explained that ALL Chevy small blocks except some truck engines were being manufactured in Mexico. Told me to check the engines in the new cars at the local dealership. To shorten this up some; I pulled the pan and checked for cleanliness and looked for anything out of the ordinary. I found none. I pulled the heads as I had new AFR 190cc aluminum heads to go on there (paid more for them than the engine). Bores looked excellent but was disapointed because it had dished pistons. Pulled the timing cover and replaced the cam with a Comp Cam. Stock cam looked very good. Anyway, this engine ran excellent with no problems. I would not hesitate to purchase another.:thumbup:
Just so you know how I found this out...In 2000 I purchased a new GM Performance 350 cu.in. with 4 bolt mains from a well known Chevrolet dealer here in North Carolina. It comes with a 2 year 36,000 mile warranty when installed by anyone in a GM vehicle. When it arrived I noticed the Hecho En Mexico cast on the block and was really P... Off. I imediately called the dealership and talked to the fellow I had made the sale with and told him he had sent me the wrong engine. He explained that ALL Chevy small blocks except some truck engines were being manufactured in Mexico. Told me to check the engines in the new cars at the local dealership. To shorten this up some; I pulled the pan and checked for cleanliness and looked for anything out of the ordinary. I found none. I pulled the heads as I had new AFR 190cc aluminum heads to go on there (paid more for them than the engine). Bores looked excellent but was disapointed because it had dished pistons. Pulled the timing cover and replaced the cam with a Comp Cam. Stock cam looked very good. Anyway, this engine ran excellent with no problems. I would not hesitate to purchase another.:thumbup:
I have a new Mexican head on my Chevy 250 inline six motor and it hasn't given me any problems. The only thing is its a stock AC Delco rebuilt engine, I don't know if the head would be ok if the motor is modified for more HP. I have also heard GM castings coming out of Mexico are alot weaker than US castings, but I could be wrong, I hope so for my boats sake.
"Anything after about 1973-74 is about 50-60lbs lighter. Oil shortage years,"
I think you meant to say "Oil Shortage CONSPIRACY years"
I think you meant to say "Oil Shortage CONSPIRACY years"
I did the same as above with my Fastburn crate 350. Once it was on the stand I pulled the pan for a quick inspection. It sure was pretty inside, forged crank, powered metal rods and four bolt mains and was clean as a whistle inside. The engine runs great with no problems to date.
Vince
Vince
what happened to Nationalism?
GM must've lost it.
What year did GM change from 'made with pride in the USA' to "Hencho en Mexiko"?
What about my 2000 Grand Am v6? Is that mexico or china? the 3400v6 in the equinox of from china.
GM must've lost it.
What year did GM change from 'made with pride in the USA' to "Hencho en Mexiko"?
What about my 2000 Grand Am v6? Is that mexico or china? the 3400v6 in the equinox of from china.
Stickman said:"Anything after about 1973-74 is about 50-60lbs lighter. Oil shortage years,"
I think you meant to say "Oil Shortage CONSPIRACY years"
LOL LMBO
According ot CNC Blocks as long as the block specs out okay there's nothing wrong with them. However, finding ine without much required machine work is a chore.
Blocks and heads manufactured after 1975 are lighter than the 1975 and earlier ones. However, I believe the 60 pound figure (for a block) is probly a little exaggerated.Berliner Bel Air said:I wouldn't rebuild any Mexican block. I understand that the Mexican blocks are 60 lbs. lighter than the good old castings that came out of US foundries. 60 lbs. means a lot less iron and thus a lot less strength.
There seems to be a lot more core shift in the Mexican blocks.
tom
GM demolished the Chevy engine plants in Flint, Mich. Back in the early-mid nineties. Virtually all of the small blocks were built there. Now they are acres and acres of parking lot!!! Same with the Gray Iron plant in Saginaw, Mich. Where the heads and blocks were cast. Just a shadow of its former self.
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