Engine swaps?

[Broken_down?]

Got a lead on cheap 02 Chevy Van Express 5.7. Wondering if it will mount to the th400 in my 68? If so will the heads and intake from 68 work on the 02 5.7? Anything other things I would need to know?

[BR3W CITY]

Thats not an LS engine FWIW, van's didn't get an LS variant in 5.7.
That said, I believe your th400 should bolt up.

[Broken_down?]

Any idea if the heads and intake from 68 will work on the new 350 motor?

[mooseknuckles]

Originally Posted by Broken_down?

Any idea if the heads and intake from 68 will work on the new 350 motor?

the 02 5.7l ??.....no.

[Broken_down?]

Originally Posted by mooseknuckles

the 02 5.7l ??.....no.

Yes

So if the block will mount to the trans but the top end is fuel injection I will need some kind of aftermarket intake to utilize the current 02 heads right? What are my option here?

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by Broken_down?

Any idea if the heads and intake from 68 will work on the new 350 motor?

Heads & Intake from a 68 SBC will bolt to a 02' 5.7L Vortec short block.

Use the pushrods from the 02' Vortec, Use the rocker arms from the 68'

There is no hole drilled in the block for a mechanical fuel pump rod....You will have to use a electric fuel pump.

The water pump bypass hole is not drilled in the block, Use a water pump gasket as a guide to drill the hole.

Install a melonized distributor gear on the 68' distributor..... http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ACF-10456413/ This is a MUST with the roller cam.

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by Broken_down?

Yes

So if the block will mount to the trans but the top end is fuel injection I will need some kind of aftermarket intake to utilize the current 02 heads right? What are my option here?

You will need this, http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-2116/

[OKGMC4]

Vortec heads will flow better than anything chevy made in 68. Don't work backwards, buy a new intake for the Vortec heads. I did this combo in my TA based on an article PHR published some years ago. 350 30 over with vortec heads, 750 carb and ZZ4 cam = 375hp. Car ran great.

[Broken_down?]

Originally Posted by OKGMC4

Vortec heads will flow better than anything chevy made in 68. Don't work backwards, buy a new intake for the Vortec heads. I did this combo in my TA based on an article PHR published some years ago. 350 30 over with vortec heads, 750 carb and ZZ4 cam = 375hp. Car ran great.

You wouldn't happen to have a link to the artical would you? What about motor mount location? Do they line up or is there a welding adventure in my near future? What about accessories (starter, alternator, water pump etc) Assuming I will need to buy all new to match new motor?

[OKGMC4]

I can't find a link. I know the magazine is at my dads 1.5 hours away or I'd scan it. It's an OLD article. They bought the new vortec heads for $500 from GM. Bet you can't do that anymore. It was a comparison of cams and heads. They bought a ZZ4 and ran it for the advertised 345hp. The ZZ4 comes with aluminum L98 corvette heads and flow pretty well but just bolting on the vortec heads got another 30hp on the dyno. Then they got crazy and stuck in a GMPP hot cam with full roller rockers and got 425hp. It just seemed like too much money for me so I built the 375hp version. The only catch is they recomend replacing the weak vortec springs with some LS1 beehive springs. Comp cams makes special retainers for this and the beehives don't require machining like the double coil springs do.

All your mounts and accesories should bolt up no problem. It was an easy swap for me but I used the serpentine setup off a 91 pickup on mine to make it cleaner.

[Broken_down?]

Originally Posted by OKGMC4

I can't find a link. I know the magazine is at my dads 1.5 hours away or I'd scan it. It's an OLD article. They bought the new vortec heads for $500 from GM. Bet you can't do that anymore. It was a comparison of cams and heads. They bought a ZZ4 and ran it for the advertised 345hp. The ZZ4 comes with aluminum L98 corvette heads and flow pretty well but just bolting on the vortec heads got another 30hp on the dyno. Then they got crazy and stuck in a GMPP hot cam with full roller rockers and got 425hp. It just seemed like too much money for me so I built the 375hp version. The only catch is they recomend replacing the weak vortec springs with some LS1 beehive springs. Comp cams makes special retainers for this and the beehives don't require machining like the double coil springs do.

All your mounts and accesories should bolt up no problem. It was an easy swap for me but I used the serpentine setup off a 91 pickup on mine to make it cleaner.

Not trying to be invasive but what 91 pickup was it? Also got a link to the retainers you are refering to? (I am getting excited about getting my old baby rolling again )

[OKGMC4]

Originally Posted by Broken_down?

Not trying to be invasive but what 91 pickup was it? Also got a link to the retainers you are refering to? (I am getting excited about getting my old baby rolling again )

I got everything off the front of an old chevy 350TBI engine at the junkyard for cheap and just cleaned it up. These setups aren't complicated with all the little brackets the old style use. It's basically just two cast aluminum brackets that everything else bolts onto. Just avoid Astro van serpentine setups, everthing mounts backwards from standard.

http://www.compcams.com/catalog/COMP...12_353-355.pdf

This is a list of all comp retainers. I think I used the 787-16 but not positive. I did this like 10 years ago. Best thing would be to call the help line and ask which retainers and locks for small chevy. They have two beehive springs, one is just stiffer than the other. I used a ZZ4 cam from GM performance parts. Try Scoggin Dickey online or there's a used one on ebay right now for $50 up in 4 days.

[OKGMC4]

If you really just want it running you could leave the internals stock and throw a new intake for vortec heads on it and go. You really would need to put on the hardened distributor gear for the roller cam. It will chew up the old style gear. Of course it is easier to change stuff on the engine stand than later in the truck.

[Broken_down?]

OK so here is what I have gathered for my options:

Option 1:
1. Heads & Intake from a 68 SBC will bolt to a 02' 5.7L Vortec short block.
2. Use the pushrods from the 02' Vortec, Use the rocker arms from the 68'
3. There is no hole drilled in the block for a mechanical fuel pump rod....You will have to use an electric fuel pump.
4. The water pump bypass hole is not drilled in the block, Use a water pump gasket as a guide to drill the hole.
5. Install a melonized distributor gear on the 68' distributor..... http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ACF-10456413/ This is a MUST with the roller cam.

Option 2:
1. Utilize the entire new motor and buy a new intake: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-2116/
2. Recommend replacing the weak vortec springs with some LS1 beehive springs. Comp cams makes special retainers (http://www.compcams.com/catalog/COMP...12_353-355.pdf) call help line for comp cams for this and the beehives don't require machining like the double coil springs do.
3. All your mounts and accessories should bolt up no problem. Optional to go with a serpentine belt setup from a 91 Chevy pickup w/350TBI engine. Avoid Astro van serpentine setups, everthing mounts backwards from standard.

Option 3:
1. Leave the internals stock and throw a new intake for vortec heads on it and go with a new intake(http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-2116/). Need to put on the hardened distributor gear (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ACF-10456413/) for the roller cam.



Look OK?

[OKGMC4]

Looks good. Just depends on what you want and what you want to spend. I wanted an LS1 and 4L60e but couldn't find one for less than 3500 around here. Got a complete 5.3 and trans for $1200. Not as cool but runs good for way cheaper.