Converting a vortec engine to carb? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chevybill · 08-28-2005, 10:02 PM

I have acquired a vortec 350 out of about a 98or99 chevy truck and need to convert to a carburetor and ordinary electronic ignition. I also am considering putting regular pulleys and v belts on for a more traditional look.
What intake, distributor, carburetor, water pump, pulleys etc. do you guys recommend for this conversion? Please include part numbers if you have them.

Thanks for your replies.

jamal · 08-28-2005, 10:05 PM

You need to get a different cam gear for your distributor, and an intake for vortec heads, I would personaly run a quadrajet

chevybill · 08-28-2005, 10:10 PM

do you mean the gear on the distributor? or the gear on the camshaft with the timing chain? i am going to be replacing the distributor anyway.

*FormerMember* · 08-28-2005, 10:20 PM

You need a different gear on your distributor.

The Vortec is a rolller motor.

1991s10 · 08-28-2005, 10:24 PM

I dont think he needs the brass gear unless it's a solid roller. I didn't & it shouldn't be a solid

chevybill · 08-29-2005, 08:40 AM

thanks for the replies, how about the water pump, v belt pulleys, carb, and other items?

has anyone done this swap?

jamal · 08-29-2005, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1991s10

I dont think he needs the brass gear unless it's a solid roller. I didn't & it shouldn't be a solid

Dont know how to spell it but think it is called a melonized gear

*FormerMember* · 08-29-2005, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamal

Dont know how to spell it but think it is called a melonized gear

I used the one from the Vortec distributor on mine.

A brass one will also work, I am told. However, I haven't done this.

xcracer · 08-30-2005, 12:40 AM

We use vortecs all the time in streetrods. We use a stock hei dist. with stock gear. The only time you need a bronze gear is with a solid roller which is forged steel. There is no way GM is spending the extra money to get forgings. As for eberything else, its just stock small block stuff as far as pulleys and accessories. Its an easy swap, and you will love the vortec 5.7.
Pete

*FormerMember* · 08-29-2005, 09:01 AM

I did the Vortec swap to TBI in a 91 K5. Kept the water pump and all accessories Vortec. Had to change the intake (a given), run my old distributor and use the distributor drive gear from the Vortec.

08-28-2005, 10:02 PM	#1
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	Converting a vortec engine to carb? I have acquired a vortec 350 out of about a 98or99 chevy truck and need to convert to a carburetor and ordinary electronic ignition. I also am considering putting regular pulleys and v belts on for a more traditional look. What intake, distributor, carburetor, water pump, pulleys etc. do you guys recommend for this conversion? Please include part numbers if you have them. Thanks for your replies. __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint

08-28-2005, 10:05 PM	#2
jamal Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bridgeport, AL Posts: 363	You need to get a different cam gear for your distributor, and an intake for vortec heads, I would personaly run a quadrajet __________________ 67 chevy stepside, 6 cylinder, three on the tree, small window. Currently in resto.

08-28-2005, 10:10 PM	#3
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	do you mean the gear on the distributor? or the gear on the camshaft with the timing chain? i am going to be replacing the distributor anyway. __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint

08-28-2005, 10:24 PM	#5
1991s10 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Caddo Mills Texas 30 miles east of Dallas Posts: 133	I dont think he needs the brass gear unless it's a solid roller. I didn't & it shouldn't be a solid Last edited by 1991s10; 08-28-2005 at 11:07 PM.

08-29-2005, 08:40 AM	#6
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	thanks for the replies, how about the water pump, v belt pulleys, carb, and other items? has anyone done this swap? __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint

08-28-2005, 10:20 PM	#4
FormerMember Account Suspended Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,051	You need a different gear on your distributor. The Vortec is a rolller motor.

08-30-2005, 12:40 AM	#9
xcracer Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Albert Lea, MN Posts: 15	We use vortecs all the time in streetrods. We use a stock hei dist. with stock gear. The only time you need a bronze gear is with a solid roller which is forged steel. There is no way GM is spending the extra money to get forgings. As for eberything else, its just stock small block stuff as far as pulleys and accessories. Its an easy swap, and you will love the vortec 5.7. Pete

08-29-2005, 09:01 AM	#10
FormerMember Account Suspended Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,051	I did the Vortec swap to TBI in a 91 K5. Kept the water pump and all accessories Vortec. Had to change the intake (a given), run my old distributor and use the distributor drive gear from the Vortec.



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