Used Chevy 350 Engine for Sale | Small Block V8 5.7L

About This Engine

The Chevy 350 small block is the most produced American V8 engine in history. Introduced in 1967 by boring the 327 to 4.00 inches, the 350 went on to be used in more GM vehicles across more model years than any other engine. From the 1967 Camaro to the 2002 Chevy Express van- 35 years, dozens of applications, and tens of millions of units- the 350 small block is the universal American V8.

Three major evolutionary steps define the 350 for buyers today. In 1987, GM introduced hydraulic roller lifters across the SBC lineup- a significant durability improvement that eliminated flat-tappet cam wear. In 1992, the LT1 reversed the cooling system flow for better performance. In 1996, the Vortec 350 (L31) introduced aluminum cylinder heads with redesigned combustion chambers- these heads are significantly better flowing than any earlier cast iron SBC head and are widely used for performance upgrades on earlier 350 blocks.

For C/K truck, Suburban, Tahoe, Camaro, Corvette, Caprice, and countless other GM vehicle owners, a tested documented 350 small block is the most available and best-supported used American V8 on the market.

Signs You Need a Replacement Engine

• Blue smoke on startup that clears after a few minutes- valve stem seal deterioration, extremely common on aged SBC engines
• Knock or tick at idle that changes with oil pressure- lifter failure or cam lobe wear on flat-tappet engines
• Loss of compression on one or more cylinders- ring wear, scored walls, or head gasket failure
• Overheating on the LT1 specifically- reverse-cooling water pump failure is a known LT1 issue
• Oil consumption beyond 1 quart per 1,000 miles- ring or valve guide failure
• Knock under load- rod or main bearing wear on high-mileage units

Known Problems With This Engine

• Flat-tappet cam wear on pre-1987 engines: Engines produced before 1987 use flat-tappet camshafts requiring ZDDP zinc additive in the oil. Many were run for years without it, accelerating cam lobe wear. We inspect valvetrain indicators on every pre-1987 unit.
• LT1 water pump: The 1992 to 1997 LT1 uses a reverse-flow cooling system with a cam-driven water pump. The pump is driven by the camshaft rather than a belt. Failed LT1 water pumps are the leading cause of LT1 overheating and subsequent head gasket failure. We flag this for LT1 units before shipping.
• Vortec head bolt pattern change: The 1996-and-newer Vortec 350 (L31) uses a different intake manifold bolt pattern than earlier 350 heads. A Vortec intake is required for a Vortec engine. We document head type before shipping.
• Two-bolt vs four-bolt mains: Standard 350 blocks use 2-bolt main caps. High-performance variants (LT1, L82, some Z28 units) use 4-bolt. We confirm main cap configuration before every order ships.
• Center bolt vs perimeter valve covers: 1987-and-newer SBC engines use center-bolt valve covers. Pre-1987 engines use perimeter bolt valve covers. Accessories and covers are not interchangeable across this divide.

Key Chevy 350 Variants- Fuel System and Application

The 350 was produced in numerous configurations. Key variants buyers encounter:

Common Casting Numbers- Reference

We document the casting number and date code of every unit. Available on request before you place your order.

What Is Included- What Is Not Included

Vehicle Compatibility- Direct Fit

The Chevy 350 was factory installed in an enormous range of GM vehicles including:

The SBC is the most swap-compatible American V8 ever produced. It fits any vehicle that originally used any small block Chevy engine (262, 265, 267, 283, 305, 307, 327) using the same mounts and bellhousing. The 350 also swaps into thousands of custom and kit car applications due to its widespread aftermarket support.

Transmission compatibility: Turbo-Hydramatic 350 (TH350)- most common light-duty pairing | Turbo-Hydramatic 400 (TH400)- heavy-duty | 700R4 / 4L60- overdrive automatic from 1982 | Muncie 4-speed- classic performance | T56 6-speed- LT1 and late Camaro applications.

Not sure if this fits? Call (240) 301-0095 with your year, make, model, and current drivetrain. We verify fitment before every order ships.

Common Names and Search Terms

Used OEM vs Rebuilt vs Aftermarket- Which Is Right for You?

Used OEM is the right choice for a C/K truck, Suburban, Tahoe, or Caprice that needs a reliable verified replacement. Our 350s are compression tested with variant, cam type, and fuel system documented so you know exactly what you are installing.

A remanufactured unit makes sense if you want fresh tolerances with a warranty from a rebuilder. Crate 350s from GM Performance and aftermarket suppliers are widely available for performance builds. Call us to discuss options.

Condition and Inspection Process

• Compression test across all 8 cylinders- pressure per cylinder recorded
• Cam type confirmed- flat-tappet (pre-1987) or roller (1987 onward) documented
• Fuel system type confirmed- carb, TBI, TPI, or Vortec EFI noted before shipping
• Head type confirmed- standard cast iron, LT1, or Vortec aluminum documented
• Main cap configuration confirmed- 2-bolt or 4-bolt documented
• LT1 water pump condition noted specifically on LT1 units
• Valve cover style confirmed- center bolt or perimeter bolt noted

Mileage varies by unit. Where available from the donor vehicle we provide it. Where mileage cannot be confirmed, we disclose this before your order is placed.

Buyer Tips- What to Know Before You Order

• Flat-tappet oil additive: Pre-1987 350 engines use flat-tappet camshafts. Always add a ZDDP zinc supplement. Modern low-zinc oils accelerate cam lobe wear on flat-tappet engines.
• Vortec intake requirement: The 1996-and-newer Vortec 350 (L31) uses a different intake manifold bolt pattern. A Vortec-specific intake is required. A standard SBC intake will not fit.
• LT1 water pump: The LT1 uses a cam-driven reverse-flow water pump- not a belt-driven pump. Replacement requires the LT1-specific pump. A standard SBC water pump will not work on an LT1.
• Center bolt vs perimeter valve covers: 1987-and-newer SBC uses center-bolt valve covers. Pre-1987 uses perimeter bolt. Accessories, valve covers, and some breather setups are not interchangeable across this line.
• Roller cam retrofit: It is possible to convert a pre-1987 flat-tappet 350 block to a roller cam using a retrofit kit. However, not all pre-1987 blocks have the correct provisions. Tell us if you are planning this conversion and we will note block compatibility.

FAQs

What Chevy 350 variant should I look for?