Motor swap question??? What headaches.....

[Ironhead]

I have a 85 Blazer with an older 350 with no smog equipment that I need for inspection. I got my hands on a 88 2wd Suburban with all stock components on the engine to swap out. The motor swap is no problem but, what kind of headaches can I expect with wiring and other hook-ups? I am hoping it is just a simple matter. I am sure I can count of some terrific responses from this great board.... ....thanks

[Zoomad75]

The engine will bolt up just fine as you expected. The emissions equipment is mostly vaccum controlled so as long as you pull the 88 engine out with all the emissions stuff in tact you shouldn't have much of problem. You might want to get a vaccum hose diagram for the 88 just in case.

[kevinr1970]

The '85 is carb'ed and the '88 is TBI? That could be a big problem is you are not expecting it.

[Ironhead]

Here's the deal. When I asked the local junkyard about this 88 motor, they said it would start but acts like the timing was off. The motor is still in the Suburban and they just delivered it to my house on a roll-back for me to remove the motor. $100 bucks for what ever I want off it except tranny, then it's going for scrap. I'll see if I can get it running tomorrow. The 85 Blazer has an older 350 in need of some serious wrenching. What's the chance of just swapping the smog pump, exhaust manifolds, etc. over to an older motor such as a great running 76 350 and run a carb? Any thoughts?

[Damien]

The small block chevy has huge interchangability. The 350 had very few and small changes from 1969 through 1995. the center two bolt holes on the '87-95 heads have a slightly different angle for the intake manifold.

Simple Answer: Swap the smog equipment to the engine you are using IF you need it. If notkeep it simple.

[Ironhead]

Well....I checked the timing and it was right on. The cap and rotor looks like they have seen better days so, replaced them. The good news is... it started right up. The bad news is... That some knothead put straight water in the cooling system and we all know what that will do to things... Water is leaking from behind the starter... probably the freeze plug as well as out the tail pipe from a suspected cracked head and out one seam of the busted radiator. Oh well... live and learn I guess. Suspicions wer correct, just pulled the plugs found water in cylinders 3, 4 & 6... it's junk!!

Now to determine if I can salvage the smog equipment and fit onto the other 350. Will look for a intake and carb to use.

Any additional recommendations out there?

Thanks for the help,