Engine build, which block

[Apachemike]

Thinking of building a new engine for the truck. 350 chevy. I have 2 blocks available; a 880 4 bolt from a 99 checy truck or an 88 L98 from an early GTA. I want to go roller with vortec heads

Any difference between these blocks other than 2 or 4 bolt?
If I use the 880 block do I need to use a retro roller cam for the fuel pump drive and the distributor?
Havent built and engine in a few years and they were all GEN 1 or Pontiac engines.
Currently a GEN1 in there now

Thanks

[1project2many]

The 99 truck engine should have been roller. Look for a flat and two bolt holes on the front behind the cam gear to know if it's roller capable. No reason not to use a four bolt if it's available and in good shape but it's important to be aware of the gotchas of mixing n matching parts. Watch for differences in the timing cover area, though. The plastic timing cover used on the '99 block will not work correctly on the older blocks. Older covers will work on newer blocks if all the holes are drilled. There are two dowel pins which should be added for cover alignment. There is probably no hole for the thermostat bypass circuit, either. It's easy enough to add if you are using an old pump and want to do it "right." There's also a missing hole in the Vortec heads.

Here's a nice little rundown.
http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/w...er_replacement

This page has a photo of the water pump bypass hole:
http://www.pacificp.com/forum/viewto...0ab87f561e4ae4

Pictures of bypass hole in block and head:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...8&postcount=25

[mr48chev]

An 88 L98 engine should be a roller cam engine as is the 88 truck engine.

I'm thinking both are 4 bolt main but could be wrong on that one.

It may come down to which one is more complete or in the best condition both wear and external element wise.

[1project2many]

Should have caught the fuel pump question. Check closely because most 95+ blocks don't have the fuel pump boss.