So I have an 87 35,000 mile corvette manual. The Engine went, spun Main Bearings , 2,3,4.

I picked a supposed 87,000 mile 1985 motor/gearbox. I know these Engines have some major differences. But ........ while I get my old motor to where I want it (rebuilt) is it possible to Plop this 85 motor in rather easily..??? I see I might have to swap over intakes and all that jazz...but somebody told me that the 2 piece Rear seal blocks have a differnt flywheel and the 1 piece?

Or could I just bolt up the old flywheel from the 85' car and maybe my clutch from the 87?

Any thoughts?

Thanks!! Great forum, use this for reference all the time!

 

to use a two piece rear seal block you'll need a different flywheel, different..but corvette specific..oil pan, along with proper oil pump pickup, clutch should bolt up; if the 85 engine doesn't have them, new..longer pushrods. I don't know if the 87 intake will bolt to the 85 heads, at some point the center hold down bolts went from perpendicular to the intake surface of the head to a vertical orientation.

So it sounds like you'd just like to get your car running again asap, for as little money as possible so forget that 85 engine, for the time and money it'd take to get it into the car, you almost certainly can find a decent running engine from a later sedan and just swap it in using the pan and pickup from your 87. Good luck.

 

[QUOTE=mtwoolford;1591803636]to use a two piece rear seal block you'll need a different flywheel, different..but corvette specific..oil pan, along with proper oil pump pickup, clutch should bolt up; if the 85 engine doesn't have them, new..longer pushrods. I don't know if the 87 intake will bolt to the 85 heads, at some point the center hold down bolts went from perpendicular to the intake surface of the head to a vertical orientation.

So it sounds like you'd just like to get your car running again asap, for as little money as possible so forget that 85 engine, for the time and money it'd take to get it into the car, you almost certainly can find a decent running engine from a later sedan and just swap it in using the pan and pickup from your 87. Good luck.[/QUOT

First off, Thank you for the reply, I surely appreciate it! This 85 Engine is from a corvette, from Pan to Fuel injection....So being it is corvette, would I still need to swap pushrods and such? It does appear the fuel injection ( though at first glance VERY similar) there are some differences. Like there is No input into the Intake for that heat riser pipe....ect.

Maybe I should just have patience and fix it right. The machine shop told me the block is savable...But the machine cost are significant. Plus I'll need pistons and a crank. I wonder if it would be the time to clearence the block for a bigger rotating assembly (383) but the guy at the shop said NO, it'll mess with the computer...but I've done a lot of reading on this site, and it seems like people are able to Hot Rod these engines and still use the TPI...??

 

be patient!! a 383 on a stock TPI setup. will get you in bigger trouble. as well as a huge money PIT! you will absolutely need injectors. and mandatory tunes. Most 383 kits will force you to install a cam, Then, injectors, next your TPI will be OVERwhelmed with the air flow. now heads. still restricted now. port the hell out of the TPI. not much to gain. now a after market Intake.
OK you have a Manual & dana 36 still starting to add up REAL quick. start out with the basics. and DRIVE!!!!

 

the 85 engine. is a tough call. Some blocks have Provisions for Flat Tappet OR Roller cams.
unless you can guarantee. the 85 has a roller cam. The pushrods are different sizes between flat VS roller setups.

 

Judging by your comments, and NAME 383 Admiral, I feel you speak of Experience! What are your thoughts on a little more compression, Flat Top Pistons? Maybe small pocket porting a slightly bigger cam to match a possible 10-1 compression?

See I was kinda hoping when I picked this 85 Vette motor, I could just plop it in and use it, till I got my motor fixed....Well and at the time, I wasn't sure it would even be salvageable.

I really don't want to mess with tuning, or burning new chips. But if I can get a few more horsepower for not TOO much more in the building process...i'd definitely consider. My thoughts are, Wow these are awesome cars ( super cars in fact ) and pretty impressive with 240 hp. I thought if I could squeak out 300 hp. THAT would be icing on the cake? Am I "out of line"?

 

[QUOTE=Pizzaboy;1591803941]do you have a budget In mind for this project? If your budget allows, consider a crate engine, maybe even a new one from GM; start by adding up costs of ALL the machine work and ALL the parts you'll need to replace and a crate engine, even an new GM will start to look Very Affordable, plus you'll get a warranty.

People rebuild what they've got for a variety of reasons, not all of which make economic sense; lol; i.e. originality / matching numbers; a desire for something different, or just the conviction that they can do it better (and sometimes they can and sometimes they don't) but I suspect the biggest reason is to spread costs out over a period of time. If you do go the rebuild route, don't try to re-engineer the entire engine; keep it simple.

Good luck.

 

If I was a Dishonest salesman. I would say yeah. the sky is the limit. I would fail as a typical salesman. changing your compression & the cam Will also need some tuning. the ECM system needs to stay fairly close to stock. due to the Engine management calibration. even a carb setup would need re-tuning and jetting. It makes sense to install the goodies now. but then you are FORCED to keep that list going!! and the Money & fun begins. I would build your current. close to stock. drive & enjoy!! then pickup a 2nd block. and prep for a moderate build. and have all the time for your selections. and a tuner on speed dial

 

[QUOTE=mtwoolford;1591804277]WELL......I was really hoping it would not happened, but it did and now I have to deal with it. I wrecked it at Road America last year on a track day, BUT I was with the instructor on my 4th lap, heck i only got the car up to 104!! Paid 300 for this Track day (bucket list) event. But I let the car sit in my garage till about a month ago, I tore it apart. I needed to see what I'd be looking at.

Then I found this 85 Motor and D/N 4 speed, for pretty cheap. I heard it run briefly and bought it. I figured IF my block was shot...A C4 motor is a C4 motor : WRONG. So Yes, my 87 is a one piece Rear, Roller Cam, and slightly differn't fuel injection.

The local Machine looked at my engine, magnafluxed the block, and said it was savable, with a linebore. 1200, plus I'd need a crank, and pistons. So the real ONLY reason to use this is too keep it Numbers matching. I've already found a shortblock from Competition products for 999.95.

So What is my budget? Well.....I was hoping as cheap as possible, but I'm not against putting money into this fine car. I mean, its a low milage 87! Red, 4 speed, New Tires, Clutch and flywheel, all fluids changed...ect. I had this car gone through at the Chevy Garage before my Track Day. I didn't want anything going wrong!! I really wasn't even on it! I cant believe it broke.

The car is pretty new to me, but I really like it. I'll probably keep it for awhile. So If I have to spend 3 grand I will....and I hear what you're saying, by the time, I do what I want...A crate motor is starting to look much more appealing! And you get warrenty!

Its a hard pill to swallow. I can afford it. I just didn't want to spend the money on it, Nor the time, rather be driving it..lol

But do you think 300 Horsepower is out of the question for the computer to handle? I think upping the compression a tad, and a little more bumpstick will provide close to that. I just dont want to mess with the computer. I dont want to spend a lot of money on tuning. Then there is your other cost....Water pump/ ect...

Thanks for your replies guys, always meet the nicest people on these forums.

 

your very welcome. you can install a cam within. the Hot cam range. portmatch the intake. exhaust is always nice. basics mods 1st.. if you jump up to much you will need to tune OR need larger injectors still needing a tune. The ECM can handle Much more. but the calibration "tune" would need to be adjusted. with many of the parts you want to install. I would weigh out a Crate VS rebuild. as mentioned.