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350 engine swap questions

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Old Apr 12, 2008 | 11:01 AM
  #1  
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Default 350 engine swap questions

I just ordered the 400 hp 350 from yearone for my 75. I know this has been covered a couple times but i couldnt find the information i was looking for. Im hoping that i already have most of the parts ill need to get this enigine in there and running.

1. will the stock (new) waterpump/fuel pump work with that high horsepower motor?

2. is my distributor with a hei rebuilt kit sufficient

3. what plugs do i need to run? i have heard that i will need to protect the spark plug boots because they come so close to my H headers.

4. What temp. thermostat do i need in there?

5. right now i have a not so hot q jet on there. I know this carb will work, but i dont know how to tune it. Is it worth rebuilding by someone, or would it be easier to buy a new holley double pumper and tune that myself. Is tuning a holley easier than my qjet or the same once i figure out what everything is?

I think i covered everything, any other tips would be great. Im learning as i go along and my mistakes. but i would rather get it right the first time when im dealing with a new engine.

Thanks,
Sean
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Old Apr 12, 2008 | 03:56 PM
  #2  
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I'm pretty sure the water pump that comes with the year one motor is the long style. You need the short style to work with the rest of your pulley's.
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Old Apr 12, 2008 | 04:14 PM
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I dont think the new engine comes with its own waterpump, i was saying that i had a new one for my l-48.
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Old Apr 12, 2008 | 06:29 PM
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Originally Posted by 75vettehelp
I just ordered the 400 hp 350 from yearone for my 75. I know this has been covered a couple times but i couldnt find the information i was looking for. Im hoping that i already have most of the parts ill need to get this enigine in there and running.

1. will the stock (new) waterpump/fuel pump work with that high horsepower motor?

Yes, it'll be fine

2. is my distributor with a hei rebuilt kit sufficient

I would install a curve kit. Stock weights, one light and one heavy spring

3. what plugs do i need to run? i have heard that i will need to protect the spark plug boots because they come so close to my H headers.

Use the plugs the engine builder recommends- Alunimum heads use a different heat range/ reach plug than iron heads. I put those DEI sleeves over my plug wires. hey seem to work fine.

4. What temp. thermostat do i need in there?

I'd suggest 180* stat, and make ure the rest of your cooling system is in top shape- engine is out, no better/easier time to clean the radiator

5. right now i have a not so hot q jet on there. I know this carb will work, but i dont know how to tune it. Is it worth rebuilding by someone, or would it be easier to buy a new holley double pumper and tune that myself. Is tuning a holley easier than my qjet or the same once i figure out what everything is?

Not a thing wrong with a Q-Jet. If nothing else, get it to Lars for a rebuild. No trick to tuning, float level, mixture, etc.,

I think i covered everything, any other tips would be great. Im learning as i go along and my mistakes. but i would rather get it right the first time when im dealing with a new engine.

Thanks,
Sean
Make sure you prime the oil system. Do the cam break in and then change the oil.
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Old Apr 12, 2008 | 07:50 PM
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If ya don't mind me askin How much for the moter ballpark?
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Old Apr 12, 2008 | 08:12 PM
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it should work fine
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Old Apr 12, 2008 | 08:21 PM
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2. is my distributor with a hei rebuilt kit sufficient

I would install a curve kit. Stock weights, one light and one heavy spring
I rebuilt it with the medium springs it came with and a non adjustable vacuum advance that was suggested on here by someone on the forum.


If ya don't mind me askin How much for the moter ballpark?
I believe its gonna be a little over $3000 to my door. A lot better deal than ive been seeing from gm or any other places. I figured i would go with the 350 instead of a 383 for a couple reasons. mainly price and parts.


thanks for the help guys, any more tips would be great. I'm sure ill be asking more questions in the future when im ready to put the new one in.
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Old Apr 12, 2008 | 09:05 PM
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If it's really a 400 horse motor, I wouldn't trust the stock fuel pump. You can buy a Carter strip pump for like $75.

The Q-Jet will be fine, have someone jet it for the power. Or learn how to do it yourself.

You can reuse your water pump, but if I were you, I'd buy a high flow Corvette water pump. I've been told that the Corvette pump is a different length than the short and the long.

I have a high flow Milodon Corvette specific water pump with 10K miles on it. Only two years old. If you want to save some money and buy mine let me know. I only got rid of it because I had to go to a long pump to work with my supercharger pulley. That Milodon pump kept my 450 NA motor between 180 and 190 all day long, without the electric fan connected.

Use a 180 degree thermostat.
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Old Apr 12, 2008 | 09:12 PM
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Originally Posted by gbags
If ya don't mind me askin How much for the moter ballpark?
Not sure which one he got but yearone has a 400 HP 350 for $3000.
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Old Apr 12, 2008 | 10:40 PM
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I'm going to put in a fuel pressure gauge and stick with the stock fuel pump for now. The only thing that would happen is the engine wouldnt get enough fuel if the pump cant handle it right?

Not sure which one he got but yearone has a 400 HP 350 for $3000.
yeah thats the right one, i think thats the only one around $3000 from yearone.

i know a couple people on here have installed this motor...any complaints so far or things i need to watch out for?
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