Hey y'all,

First off, thanks for taking the time to read this and contribute anything you might want to or be able to. I apologize if this has been hashed out before; I did a fair amount of searching but only found folks trying to convert the other way. I'll give more details below but the TL;DR on this is that it concerns converting a TBI 350 to a carbureted setup.

Backstory: Some of you might remember the post of carnage, but a few years back the bottom end of the 350 in my '76 decided to say bye-bye. Rod and his friends escaped onto the pavement of I-90. Since then I've been rolling around ideas on how to get the car up and running again, as I'm a man of both limited means and limited-ish time.

Today I happened to luck across a 350 out of a '93 Roadmaster (I think this makes it an L05?). Regardless of code, this is obviously a TBI engine. I think it'll bolt up to the 700r4 in the car, and the motor mounts and exhaust shouldn't be an issue. Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong about either one of those. That said, I think the easiest, hopefully, thing to do would be to convert this TBI to a carburetor. Converting the car to TBI seems a bit more involved and possibly not as productive.

From what I'm reading it doesn't seem like my Performer 2101 intake (from the old engine) will bolt up to the heads on this '93. I also have a set of Summit 10021010 heads, but according to the listing they're only compatible up to '86. So what would be involved in getting this girl to take a carburetor? Is it doable? Is it worth it? I'm open to any and all opinions and knowledge. Thank you again and have a great day!

 

Don't you just need a carb intake that works with Vortec heads and your Q-Jet, like an Edelbrock 2116? You might have to jump through some hoops for your choke to work, too.

Your post title certainly makes things more difficult than they need to be. Hopefully someone like @Jebbysan sees this post.

EDIT: Non-Vortec heads. Correct responses below.

 

1992 350 cu.in. Chevy Truck engine converted to HEI distributor, aluminum aftermarket intake, Holley 600 CFM Carb w vacuum secondaries......mated to DIY rebuilt TH700R4 w Lockup Torque Converter.
I did have to fabricate 1/4" thick steel adapter plates to relocate engine mounts.(you may not need adapter plate(s)
This assembly went into my 1934 street rod engine bay.

 

That engine just has crappy TBI heads, not Vortec heads. No-one uses them for performance. If it's all you can do then run it, it's probably about as good as a L48 engine was. The mounts, transmission and exhaust will all fit.

It probably has the 153 tooth flex plate so it needs the starter to match, you old engine likely had a 168 tooth flex plate and the starter for that won't engage the smaller ring gear. The crank is a 1=-piece rear seal so you can't swap flex plates.

A Edelbrock 2104 intake will fit those heads. If not that, you need an intake for the 87-95 TBI heads, non Vortec. The heads have center intake bolts that are not 90 degrees to the gasket surface so an older intake won't fit unless you hog out the holes and force it on.

 

Bolt the Summit heads and Edelbrock intake to it….it will work.
You will need a one piece rear main flywheel/flexplate….
A nice Q-Jet would be great here…..but if not….you cannot beat the Holley 0-90670 Truck Avenger….use your standard HEI.
You will also need an electric fuel pump if the block does not have the boss drilled….some do, some don’t….the ones that do have a cover plate.

Jebby

 

by your standard hei i am pretty sure he means the 76, not the 93 distributor electric fuel pump will most likely be needed too. those tbi heads are the only ones worse than L48 heads. but not much. i cut slots in the center bolts on 2 intakes to run a pair of these engines in an 87 wellcraft nova.

 

I do not know any of the spec's on your roadmaster 350 but if your putting heads and an intake on it now would be the time to put a better cam in it if you can afford it.

 

We're in the same boat, I don't know any of the specs either. Definitely worth looking into a cam as I don't know much about them in general.

 

This is definitely the answer I was really hoping for. I have a 650 cfm Holley that was on the old engine; hopefully I can re-use that too?

 

Spread bore or square bore? No reason you can't use it. If you have an adaptor now, you can get the correct intake this time.

 

I missed the heads you have. Run them and your intake. It'll make a good combo. The cam should be a roller in that engine. You'll want to check before buying another.

 

Just wanted to stop back and say thank you to everyone for your time, input, information, and knowledge.

I feel like I at least have a jumping off point now and I'm very appreciative.