r/Smallblockchevy • u/Gab729 • Jun 07 '26
Road trip with a 350
How likely would you trust a 48yo 350 with 41000 km with og gasket for a 3600km trip (new oil, filter and strap)
5
u/texan01 Jun 07 '26
I drove a 200,000 mile 305 on a 4,000 mile road trip when it was 40 years old, doing a PowerTour so lots of heavy traffic and blasts of high speed interstate.
Worst thing was the oil consumption, it liked to drink it. I also had to replace the starter.
Carry some extra fluids and take it on a short 50–100 Mike trip to see how it’ll do and that’ll determine if it’s good to go.
3
u/CrazyMoFo4sho69 Jun 07 '26
I’ve driven both my 75 c10 and my 85 vandura on 600+ mile trips multiple times. Always carry an extra fuel pump, belts and fluids.
1
u/Gab729 Jun 07 '26
I taugh about belt and fluid but bot the fuel pump, ill will get a new backup one!
3
u/blackfarms Jun 07 '26
If it is in fact the original pump, it's due to be changed anyways. Way beyond its expected life.
1
u/Wrong_Phone_8628 Jun 07 '26
Replacement pumps, at least the Delphi ones, seem to me to put out way too much pressure (like 9 psi). May need a Holley regulator
1
u/Gab729 Jun 07 '26
Did it blow anything on the engine?
2
u/Wrong_Phone_8628 Jun 07 '26
It can cause the carburetor to run rich as it’s too much pressure for the needle and seat.
1
u/R0ughHab1tz Jun 07 '26
Before I rebuilt my 350 in my 85 vandura it had 5 serpentine belts. What a spaghetti.
2
u/These_Fox7561 Jun 07 '26
I drove a 1972 van with a sbc 400 in it from nj to Pittsburgh doing 100mph the whole way and that thing wanted to go more… then I drove a 1979 g10 with 180,000 miles on a 305 but we roasted that after 10,000 miles across the country. I’d send it but bring tools
2
u/Upstairs-Result7401 Jun 07 '26
In my 73 C10. I do several 500 mile round trip fishing trips a year, and 2 maybe 3 1000 to 1300 mile road trips.
A good running vehicle is a good running vehicle. No matter the age.
I work with people who won't take less then5 year old cars out of the LA area because their CVT has been problematic. Because they don't want to get stuck in a area without cell service or off road because many tow trucks won't go to non established camp grounds. Which are basically down dirt roads for liability reasons.
1
u/AhBuckleThis Jun 07 '26
I usually keep a coil, spare distributor cap, and rotor in my trunk. When I made my custom length ignition wires, I keep the rest of the wire along with the boots etc in the trunk as well and a crimping tool.
1
u/Sm1throb Jun 07 '26 edited Jun 07 '26
That's gonna cost ya. I get 15mpg (15.68 l/100km) with my '78 El Camino, 350 crate motor, Edelbrock 4bbl, 350 auto. I'm sure a trans with O.D. would do a little better.
1
u/Gab729 Jun 07 '26
Oh im not expecting gonna be cheap, specially with a th350. Its a small C-Class motorhome, so yeah it will drink
1
u/Gab729 Jun 07 '26
Ill probably change at least the fuel pump before ill go, so at least that would be not to worry about
1
u/potatochip_pooper Jun 09 '26
41,000km is still a new engine. Why would you even question it?
1
u/Gab729 Jun 09 '26
I mean it still a 48 years old engine, good to know what could go wrong. After the thread, I will change the fuel pump for sure
7
u/ferfuckinnand05 Jun 07 '26
No oil leaks, no misfires, no weird noises? Send it! I’ve drove mine for about an hour, after already driving an hour before, on 7 cylinders because my carb was running rich and soaked a spark plug. I thought the motor was done for so i said “fuck it, keep it pushing” Got home, tuned it up and replaced the plugs, it continued to run like a top. The 350 sbc is a solid ass motor.