engine swap question. inexperienced!!!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Dumfries Va
engine swap question. inexperienced!!!
I am 17 yrs old and just got a 1970. it's got a 350 in it. but it's not the original engine and when I took it to the old vette dealership they said they couldn't tell me what the engine that's in it came out of. Either way, it doesn't have as much power as I would like. I was thinking about saving up for a new motor. as long as I keep it a 350 how much stuff doesn't come with the engine, when ordered, that I would have to change? this may be a dumb question but I haven't switched out a motor before.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,906
Likes: 0
From: Berlin
Re: engine swap question. inexperienced!!! (HUGEsidepipes70)
I think everything can stay pretty much the same as long as its all in good condition (esp radiator and water pump) and the engine comes completely assembled. Brackets, engine mounts, etc are the same for all small blocks, by the way, not just 350's.
You might also consider modifying what you have instead of replacing it. Most differences in these engines are in the top end (heads, intake, carb, cam) no matter which type of car the engine was originally in.
You might also consider modifying what you have instead of replacing it. Most differences in these engines are in the top end (heads, intake, carb, cam) no matter which type of car the engine was originally in.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 8,220
Likes: 208
Re: engine swap question. inexperienced!!! (HUGEsidepipes70)
If you'll stay with small block, even if you go for stroker 383 you can use all the accessries from your old motor. If you decide to step in the dark side and get a big block. You'll need new accessorie pulleys and brackets. Bigger radiator and heavier coil springs are also adviced. :cheers:
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
Re: engine swap question. inexperienced!!! (HUGEsidepipes70)
If you can get me the numbers off the block I can probably find out what the engine was in and what kind of power it is supposed to have. The numbers are on the engine block. Just in front of the left cylinder head on the machined surface that the head bolts to. It should be a flat surface roughly 1/2in wide by 3in long. At the end of the nuber there are usually 2 or 3 letters. Thats what I need to find out what you have. If you want to pull a valve cover off and get me the numbers on the head I can probably tell you what they are also.
Depending on if you get a long or short block or crate motor you should have no trouble switching things over. Just mark all your wires and hoses so that you know where they go. Your stock radiator and water pump should be fine for a modest upgrade. The cooling fan should also be sufficient. I don't know if you have an auto or a standard trans but if its a standard you may have to get the new block machined to accept the clutch bracket. Other that that they pretty much change over without to many problems. Good Luck.
Depending on if you get a long or short block or crate motor you should have no trouble switching things over. Just mark all your wires and hoses so that you know where they go. Your stock radiator and water pump should be fine for a modest upgrade. The cooling fan should also be sufficient. I don't know if you have an auto or a standard trans but if its a standard you may have to get the new block machined to accept the clutch bracket. Other that that they pretty much change over without to many problems. Good Luck.
