best year nonvortec 350?

[sharkskinman]

What kind of fuel pressure are we talking?
Stock AirCooled F.I. Pump is about 60psi regulated down to 28-32
Carb elec fuel pumps range 2-4 and 5-7. Dual 44 Webbers take about that and that's a good bit of carburation

[storm9c1]

Originally Posted by jokerz71

An old style cover will work,but,requires that you silicone a couple of places as the new cover uses 2 less bolts.The block does not have the bypass cast in.The hole is there in some blocks,but,it is not open thru.Plumbing an external bypass is no big deal.

Oh yeah, forgot about the timing cover. My engine builder managed to find a metal timing cover that worked with the short pump. And had the right bolt holes, but did need extra silicone for good measure.

As for the coolant bypass, this has been discussed to death. I am using a Weiand aluminum intake. I just used my heater hoses in stock setup for a 67-72 non-AC truck... one from the intake manifold to the core, the other from the core straight to the water pump nipple. There isn't supposed to be a flow control valve on the old trucks (stock setup uses an air diverter). So it works perfectly as a bypass. No need for anything else. If you have a newer truck or car that needs a coolant valve at the core, just get a 3-way bypass type. Problem solved.

[Captainfab]

If you want to run a Q-jet on a Vortec engine you simply need an Edelbrock Performer Vortec intake #2116

Originally Posted by Figuarus

Captain, Will the Vortec intake take a Quadrajet, or is there an adaptor needed?

The highest HP GEN I 350 was the LT-1 used in the Camaro and Corvette's in 1970 rated at 370 gross HP.

Originally Posted by 6768chevylover

though the best 350 came out of a 67 corvette or camaro.. based on power that is..

While I have not tried a short water pump with the L31 plastic timing cover, I have seen marine Vortec 350's with the plastic timing cover and a short water pump. I bought a pair of them from the scrap yard about a year ago. I have used a typical stamped steel timing cover on a L31 Vortec without any issues.

My investigation shows that the blocks are drilled for the bypass but the Vortec heads are not.

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

It won't clear the plastic timing cover. Does the metal timing cover fit? Personally I don't know.

Every once in a while someone mentions the need for a coolant bypass with the vortec. Is it not cast into the block like all the other SBC's?

The Holley blue pumps are definitely noisy since they will pump 110 gph and are intended for racing use. That is way more pump than you need for street use. Either the MR Gasket pump mentioned or this Holley electric pump should provide all the fuel you need and be a bit quieter.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hly-12-427/overview/

Originally Posted by Beaumont@

I am using a blue holly fuel pump, maybe I'll sell it and try that pump. Yes they are rare but they are out there. I searched the junkyards for a month and found a TBI 4 bolt main with the fuel hole drilled. I pulled it but couldn't use it because the block was cracked so I went with a vortec instead.

[fleetsidelarry]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

...My investigation shows that the blocks are drilled for the bypass but the Vortec heads are not.

....http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hly-12-427/overview/

the L31 crate motor I bought did have the hole drilled in the block although I've been told that the originals didn't. I saved this post from Captainfab a while back: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...95&postcount=9

"Great engine but I can't stand the electric fuel pump. It's expensive, loud, needs a regulator and is a pain in the ass to set up."
I don't like the Carter electric pump I have for the same reasons. someone else also suggested the Holley Mitey Mite in a previous thread about L31s. I'm going to give it a try

I certainly recommend you explore the range of crate engines available and do your homework on rebuild pricing

[jokerz71]

Some blocks are not completely finished through to the deck.The hole is present at the front of the block,but,does not go all the way thru to the deck.This would be in the #880 block,96/up.The #638 blocks should all be completely through as the TBI heads were drilled. Some early #880 blocks were indeed open throughout & were machined for a mechanical fuel pump.Generally,if the block has a blockoff plate at the fuel pump opening,it is machined.If not,it's not machined.

[sharkskinman]

Come to find out there is an engine in the yard that is a vortec and 4l60e trans
Aluminum heads iron block.. 4.8? 5.3? Heads are 706-99+ Chevy.. Believe it cable out of a 2000 or so?
Trying to nail down what year! I'm looking for 96-02 350.. Want to brake to put carb on out for now

Will it fit with my 3 speed?
What year can I Not just put carb and hei on??

[jokerz71]

That is an LS motor.You can put a carb on it, but, there is no distributor. You would have to use an aftermarket controller to run the CNP ignition.Spacing is also different between torque convertor to flywheel.
The L31 Vortec/350 was only available in trucks from 96/99 & in vans & some SUVs until 2001.If your goal is to use a carb & hei distributor, that would be the best option.

[sharkskinman]

Cool thanx
That's really what I wanted to know
I'm looking for one I can carb and put on my 3speed

[sharkskinman]

Are there numbers on the L31s so I can tell that's what it is?
And do they come in the 2500s? I just noticed they were 6 lug and it'll be cool to get the discs in 6 lug

[Alex V.]

My dad owns an '86 K20 and '97 C1500 Suburban, both with 350's. The '86 saw 361,000 miles (some pretty hard ones) on the original bottom end before he quit using it because of fuel system troubles, and the '97 rolled over 400,000 on the untouched bottom end this fall and still runs like a pocket watch with good "vital signs" all the way around. Not that the smaller SBC's have to take a back seat to the 350, but Chevy did right when they perfected the 350 and stuck with it. IMHO the Vortec 5700 is one of the finest domestic powerplants, period. The older flat-tappet engines are better than most, too, but the refinement of the induction system and roller cam on the Vortec bring the rest of the design to its full potential for refinement.

[jokerz71]

Originally Posted by sharkskinman

Are there numbers on the L31s so I can tell that's what it is?
And do they come in the 2500s? I just noticed they were 6 lug and it'll be cool to get the discs in 6 lug

They were 6 lug on the 4x4 & 3/4 & 1 ton trucks until 99 I think.2wd 1/2 ton were still 5 lug until then.
The L31/350 will have block casting #880. The head casting # will either be 906, or, 062. They came in 1500,2500,&3500 series trucks.