Suburban reliability

[prginocx]

What is a good engine / tranny combination between 1984 and 1994. I'm looking to buy an older truck w/good condition and high miles, then rebuild the engine. Easier engine to rebuild ? Computer control vs carb ? I'm not looking for lots of power, but good reliability, in a large 4X4.

[J-Ri]

I have an 86 Silverado with a 350 and a 700r4, same engine/tranny/frame as the Suburbans of the same year (as far as I know) both have been excelent and they have seen lots of use/abuse. Both have nearly 158,000 miles on 'em, engine doesn't burn oil (although the seals are starting to drip a bit), and the tranny shifts hard and fast. I personally prefer a carb because there's hardly anything that can go wrong, they have just the parts they need to function and not lots of little things that can go out on ya. The only parts that have been replaced on mine are the water pump, master cylinder, and engine mounts, and that's in 19 years and 158,000 miles.

[slacker_53]

Definately go with the 350. But if you are looking for power, reliability and fuel mileage, fuel injection is the only way to go.

Fuel injection is not as problem prone as eluded to in the previous post and there are other benefits. There are very few that would recomend carburation over fuel injection.

The 350 is a great old workhorse that's easy to repair, both from a point of parts availablity and simple, straightforward assembly. I place bets to whether you would even touch it more than once in a blue moon.

Good luck with what ever you decide.

-slacker

[mrrpm]

I'm with you, slacker. FI is the only way to go, especially on a big vehicle like a suburban. I would probably go with a little later model, like 92-96 because of the availability of OBD II diagnostic tools and the ease of thier use, just in case you do have a problem. Prior to 92, the check engine light really won't help much. As far a building the motor, the 350 hasn't changed much in 30+ years, with the exception of the Vortech design that came out in 95 (I think). Either way, I think it's a can't-lose deal.