TBI Swap question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 782
Likes: 1
From: Magic Valley ID
TBI Swap question
Ok...at the risk of being slightly off topic, I have a question. I pulled a 74 350 block out of my Corvette yesterday, and I have a chance to buy a 93 Chevy 1/2 ton with a blown 350 block....the block has a hole in it. My question is, is there a way to replace the newer block with the older one...maybe swapping the intake and accessories in some way. I know the blocks are different, and the intake will not just swap over. I know there is a computer with the newer one, and I just want to put the old engine in with a minimum amount of fuss, leaving the computer alone. Is that even possible? I believe the computer ties the engine and transmission together as well. Can someone offer some suggestions here?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,717
Likes: 551
From: Seattle Washington
The two blocks are 19 years diffrent but with the Small block Chevy thats not much. I think that the 93 is just before the Vortec so the Intack should bolt on as well. Asumeing that the Truck Motor has the One peice rear seal it will need a diffrent flywheel. There are a number of books on the SBC wich will exsplain al this better than I can remember.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 782
Likes: 1
From: Magic Valley ID
I've found several adapters on eBay for the TBI unit...so it looks do-able. Now my questions is, most newer motors have a crankshaft position sensor, so will it work to just bolt up the sensor, or is there something internally that is different which would cause issues? I'd love to be able to just bolt on the TBI unit and swap over the accessories.....and now I need someone with a little experience in this area to chime in. 
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 115
Likes: 1
From: New Hartford Iowa
Hi,
I don't recall a '93 tbi setup having a crank position sensor. I thought the engine had a distributor for ignition timing and TBI is not timed like a sequential multiport injection. If it doesn't have a distributor you may have problems. Like Gale said, the intake should fit and use the correct the flywheel. I can't think of any reason why this would not work.
Good luck!
I don't recall a '93 tbi setup having a crank position sensor. I thought the engine had a distributor for ignition timing and TBI is not timed like a sequential multiport injection. If it doesn't have a distributor you may have problems. Like Gale said, the intake should fit and use the correct the flywheel. I can't think of any reason why this would not work.
Good luck!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
If you want TBI in a '74 You can use the '93 heads and intake on an early block, no problems. You need the knock sensor out of the later block, but other than that the new top end will go on the early short block. One problem you will face is the tach. '74 has a mechanical tach but you will have to use the distributor from the truck to make the computer work. You will need a later electronic tach from a '75-'77.
If you search for my username and TPI, I posted my TPI primer earlier this week. It has some good tips that would also apply to a TBI conversion. I don't think you can use the truck serpentine system on a C3 due to hood clearance, but do a search on that too. I would ditch the CS130 alternator if you go that route and upgrade to a CS144. Good luck with your swap.
If you want to put a 2-pc seal shortblock into a '93 truck, that will also work. Just use the heads and knockk sensor from the truck-and still ditch the CS130 alternator.
If you search for my username and TPI, I posted my TPI primer earlier this week. It has some good tips that would also apply to a TBI conversion. I don't think you can use the truck serpentine system on a C3 due to hood clearance, but do a search on that too. I would ditch the CS130 alternator if you go that route and upgrade to a CS144. Good luck with your swap.
If you want to put a 2-pc seal shortblock into a '93 truck, that will also work. Just use the heads and knockk sensor from the truck-and still ditch the CS130 alternator.
Last edited by markdtn; Jan 15, 2010 at 07:39 AM.
