454 to Crate 350 Swap

[wedgemon]

OK, after 4 attempts at getting his 79 K10 454 to pass smog. My kid has decided he's going to get a GMPP Crate Engine. (Summit is in town and is an easy pick up.) We need to figure out what he needs to accomplish this swap.

We have the following to fit a 350:
*Edelbrock intake
*Edel 1406 Carb
*Factory cast exhaust Manifolds
*Alternator

We will need:
*Waterpump
*Dizzy

We'd like to know if we can use these from the 454:
*Flex Plate
*Starter
*Existing engine wiring
*Throttle and TV cables
*Senders & Switches
*Power Steering pump
*Crank pulley

What did we miss?? And cautions or warnings. Other than coming up with a parts list, it seems pretty straight forward.

The 454 was squeezed in by a P/O. The boy plans to re-sell it. Head work needed.

I trust you guys will not send us astray!!

- Dave

[Captkaos]

We have the following to fit a 350:
*Edelbrock intake
*Edel 1406 Carb
*Factory cast exhaust Manifolds
*Alternator
*Dizzy - THIS is the same you dont need a new one.

We will need:
*Waterpump


We'd like to know if we can use these from the 454:
*Flex Plate - NO
*Starter - Yes - (depending on the flexplate you get must be same tooth count)
*Existing engine wiring - Yes
*Throttle and TV cables - Yes
*Senders & Switches - Yes
*Power Steering pump - Yes
*Crank pulley - No

What did we miss??
Any accessory brackets for alt, AC.
Exhaust will be different most likely

[Twisted78SS]

When you say gm crate, it makes thing that it will have vortec heads, is your manifold for the vortec heads?

Otherwise it looks like your fairly set.

[Pyrotechnic]

If the goal here is simply passing smog, you need to give us more info. Here in Texas, 1983 and under is exempt completely.

First of all, what are the smog laws in that area ? Usually smog checks consist of visual inspection, meaning, is ALL of the factory emissions equipment in place and working ? AIR, EGR, catalytic converter(s), etc. The other half is tailpipe emissions, which is analysis of the exhaust gases coming out of your tailpipe.

Which ones are you subject to ? It's a good idea to read up on the laws directly from the DMV. I've had some inspection technicians on a power trip fail me for an open element air cleaner, even though at the time my truck was exempt from emissions completely and should have passed. Know your laws.

Which ones are you failing ?

If it is the visual you are failing, the new crate motor will fail you as well. If it's tail pipe you are failing but you have everything in place, you need to look into what is failing it.

If you are failing visual, the best idea might be to do a late model fuel injection swap. A 5.3 or 6.0 with matching transmission and computer would make great power, get great gas mileage, and pass emissions with flying colors. Usually the truck gets inspected as if it were the vehicle the motor came out of.

The only way I can see that the crate 350 will work for you, is if visual inspection does not matter, but they want tail pipe emissions. Keep in mind, you WILL need catalytic converters, and the carb and timing will need to be spot on.

Sorry to sound so cautious here, but I hate to see someone spend so much money to pass the emissions game but still fail it despite a brand new motor. Let us know what you are up against.

[454HO]

Originally Posted by wedgemon

The 454 was squeezed in by a P/O. The boy plans to re-sell it. Head work needed.

What needs head work? The engine, or the boy for selling the engine?

Like Pyro says, why are you failing smog test? Maybe there is an easier less expensive solution you have overlooked.

[wedgemon]

Pyro & 454 -

Smog in Washoe County, NV for 1980 and earlier, requires a visual on the gas cap gasket only - call that semi-exempt. BUT, it must pass the sniffer. And it's high on CO and HC at low idle. We had it to a smog analyst shop last week and he did a side to side check and discovered the passenger side is way off the charts and the drivers side is within legal requirements. We do have a knock/tap in the right head. Won't adjust out. So, bad seating, bent valve or pushrod. In any case it needs work.

Now, to the boys' head... He's living at home, gets a decent paycheck and is getting $2500.00 from me next week. So, instant gratification 19 year old wants a crate engine.

In the long run, it's probably best. As he wants some warranty and dependability. Not to mention the back up of his 350 savvy Pop! Plus, he's only put about 300 miles on it and filled up twice. 454 collness fator versus 350 economy. Guess which wins.

I might consider the 454 of my 73 Blazer or my 80 K10. I tow horses and a travel trailer
occasionally.

Thanks for the advice.

- Dave

[sdavid]

You will probably need a fuel pump also. Belts, radiator hoses, things like that. Quite a few crate motors come with a water pump installed and flexplates, so check that before you buy one. Motor mounts should work also.

[wedgemon]

One more thing...

TH350 should be OK, right?

- Dave

[arkracing]

The power steering pump won't fit unless you change the brackets over to Small Block ones - which requires pulling the pulley.


Everything else mentioned looks good.

[Thumpin455]

TH350 should work no problem and live a bit longer.

If you cant get it to pass sniffer with the Edelbrock carb, I can set you up with a Qjet that will run rings around the E-carb. I am rather fond of my cores, so you would be better off finding one if you want one done. Just no Edlebrock Qjets, and no rebuilders, they are usually screwed up pretty bad right out of the box. The E is ok, but calibrations are a bit out there most times.

They arent that difficult, its just more adjustability than most people care to deal with, or they just dont know about Qjets.

PM if interested, maybe we can trade something.