engine veterans please advise!! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chevybill · 08-25-2005, 08:30 PM

I have a chance at a 81,000 mile 98 vortec 350 engine for my 70 chevy truck.
How hard is it to convert to a carburetor truck? what about the electric fuel pump? Guy wants 800 dollars. Junkyard takeout, no background info. on the engine. Complete engine minus alternator and ac compresssor.

Is this a good deal or should I pass it up?

Can this engine bolt up to my saginaw 3 speed manual?

Thanks for all your replies.

*FormerMember* · 08-25-2005, 08:33 PM

I would pass it.

Those accesories are going to be expensive, unless you switch to a V belt set up. Unless, the bracketry for the missing items comes with?

The fuel pump is in the tank. You can drive a mechanical fuel pump with SOME Vortecs. There's a block off plate on some of them. Also not hard to plumb a holley red electric...

Check ebay, you can get complete Vortecs for 1K or so.

Also, the intake to swap to a carb is around 300ish.

Yes, you can bolt that block to your transmission.

chevybill · 08-25-2005, 08:38 PM

brackets will be with the engine, just not the actual alternator and a/c compressor.

*FormerMember* · 08-25-2005, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevybill

brackets will be with the engine, just not the actual alternator and a/c compressor.

Those are relatively cheap then. Did you hear it run?

chevybill · 08-25-2005, 08:50 PM

I have not heard it run, but this comes through a connection of one of my best friends from growing up together. He owns his own body shop and is doing all my paint and bodywork. The truck has not been at the yard very long at all and it is "understood" to be able to put back in running condition fairly easily or I would be able to get another engine.

.030over · 08-25-2005, 08:55 PM

Trans will work but the flywheel won't bolt up. You will need a '86 up flywheel (for one piece seal crank). I wouldn't count on the fuel pump hole being drilled. The only 638 blocks that I have seen drilled are marine and I haven't seen any 880 blocks drilled. Electric fuel pump is not too bad though. A carbed Vortec does make a nice running small block and gives you the hyd roller cam set up. I wouldn't try the late model brackets and accessories. You should be able to use all of the original style brackets and accessories without much trouble.
Scott

neonlarry · 08-25-2005, 09:32 PM

Even if it had a blockoff plate, you would have to change cams to run mech fuel pump.

acloco · 08-25-2005, 10:08 PM

Ask for the A/C pump - then you can use the serp setup......

See if the intake manifold gasket is leaking in the corners....if so...looking at $70 in parts to fix it right......

chevybill · 08-25-2005, 10:24 PM

it will have to have another intake anyway, because i am going to use a carburetor. I am replacing a 6 cylinder setup, so I am going to have to buy some type of pulley setup regardless.

thanks for the replies, so far.

Longhorn Man · 08-25-2005, 10:35 PM

myself... I'd never even consider 800 bucks for an engine I can't hear run...let alone drive, esp an 80,000 mile one.
But that's me

Fatback · 08-25-2005, 11:01 PM

I put a 305 vortec in my 70. Here is the intake I used...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SBC-N...QQcmdZViewItem
Its no Edelbrock, but its a pretty good deal for the budget minded.

08-25-2005, 08:30 PM	#1
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	engine veterans please advise!! I have a chance at a 81,000 mile 98 vortec 350 engine for my 70 chevy truck. How hard is it to convert to a carburetor truck? what about the electric fuel pump? Guy wants 800 dollars. Junkyard takeout, no background info. on the engine. Complete engine minus alternator and ac compresssor. Is this a good deal or should I pass it up? Can this engine bolt up to my saginaw 3 speed manual? Thanks for all your replies. __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint

08-25-2005, 08:33 PM	#2
FormerMember Account Suspended Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,051	I would pass it. Those accesories are going to be expensive, unless you switch to a V belt set up. Unless, the bracketry for the missing items comes with? The fuel pump is in the tank. You can drive a mechanical fuel pump with SOME Vortecs. There's a block off plate on some of them. Also not hard to plumb a holley red electric... Check ebay, you can get complete Vortecs for 1K or so. Also, the intake to swap to a carb is around 300ish. Yes, you can bolt that block to your transmission. Last edited by FormerMember; 08-25-2005 at 08:36 PM.

08-25-2005, 08:38 PM	#3
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	brackets will be with the engine, just not the actual alternator and a/c compressor. __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint

08-25-2005, 08:50 PM	#5
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	I have not heard it run, but this comes through a connection of one of my best friends from growing up together. He owns his own body shop and is doing all my paint and bodywork. The truck has not been at the yard very long at all and it is "understood" to be able to put back in running condition fairly easily or I would be able to get another engine. __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint

08-25-2005, 08:55 PM	#6
.030over Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 129	flywheel Trans will work but the flywheel won't bolt up. You will need a '86 up flywheel (for one piece seal crank). I wouldn't count on the fuel pump hole being drilled. The only 638 blocks that I have seen drilled are marine and I haven't seen any 880 blocks drilled. Electric fuel pump is not too bad though. A carbed Vortec does make a nice running small block and gives you the hyd roller cam set up. I wouldn't try the late model brackets and accessories. You should be able to use all of the original style brackets and accessories without much trouble. Scott __________________ '67 SWB big block project '85 C60 school bus motorhome conversion

08-25-2005, 09:32 PM	#7
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,746	Even if it had a blockoff plate, you would have to change cams to run mech fuel pump. __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI

08-25-2005, 10:08 PM	#8
acloco Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Nebraska Posts: 335	Ask for the A/C pump - then you can use the serp setup...... See if the intake manifold gasket is leaking in the corners....if so...looking at $70 in parts to fix it right......

08-25-2005, 10:24 PM	#9
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	it will have to have another intake anyway, because i am going to use a carburetor. I am replacing a 6 cylinder setup, so I am going to have to buy some type of pulley setup regardless. thanks for the replies, so far. __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint

08-25-2005, 10:35 PM	#10
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	myself... I'd never even consider 800 bucks for an engine I can't hear run...let alone drive, esp an 80,000 mile one. But that's me

08-25-2005, 11:01 PM	#11
Fatback Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North Central FL Posts: 126	I put a 305 vortec in my 70. Here is the intake I used... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SBC-N...QQcmdZViewItem Its no Edelbrock, but its a pretty good deal for the budget minded. __________________ 70 C/10 LWB 69 Cougar 68 Mustang 68 GMC 4X4 SWB



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