85 Engine
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 278
Likes: 23
From: Rock Hill, SC [RCG] KANUCK
85 Engine
I know this may sound like a dumb question but will ask it anyway. Am thinking of replacing my worn out motor in my 85, is there anything special about this motor or can I replace it with any 350 engine and just use my intake and accesseries.
Any info would sure help.
Any info would sure help.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 2
From: Latham NY
Originally Posted by selkirk24
I know this may sound like a dumb question but will ask it anyway. Am thinking of replacing my worn out motor in my 85, is there anything special about this motor or can I replace it with any 350 engine and just use my intake and accesseries.
Any info would sure help.
Any info would sure help.
There is something special about the 85 motor. The pistons and crankshaft are forged. I just had mine overbored .03" and installed new TRW forged pistons. I also had the crank turned.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 6,341
Likes: 1
From: Shelton CT
Originally Posted by Bluevette85
There is something special about the 85 motor. The pistons and crankshaft are forged. I just had mine overbored .03" and installed new TRW forged pistons. I also had the crank turned.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 729
Likes: 4
From: Yukon OK
Two part issue.
1. Yeah it has some unique Corvette components.
2. However, you can drop a GM crate motor in and use your intake and everything else just bolts on normally.
If you don't plan on big HP mods and arn't into nitro and drag racing the crate engine is a good cheap way to go.
I did it and it runs fine in my 85 daily driver. Paid about $1300 for the long block from a Chevy dealer and it came with a factory warranty.
1. Yeah it has some unique Corvette components.
2. However, you can drop a GM crate motor in and use your intake and everything else just bolts on normally.
If you don't plan on big HP mods and arn't into nitro and drag racing the crate engine is a good cheap way to go.
I did it and it runs fine in my 85 daily driver. Paid about $1300 for the long block from a Chevy dealer and it came with a factory warranty.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
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From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by Bluevette85
There is something special about the 85 motor. The pistons and crankshaft are forged.
A one piece seal engine can replace yours, with the addition of the flywheel or flexplate for a one piece seal engine. So basically, the answer to the question, is yes.
mikey whipreck,
Heads can be swapped into the '85 short block with little or no other changes, but it won't do much for a "worn out motor ".
RACE ON!!!
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Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
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85 has forged pistons and crank. The '84 & '85 motors were build with parts that can eaisly handle the power they were putting out.
I'de rebuild the motor, if not somebody who knows their motors will pick it up from you quite quickly
I'de rebuild the motor, if not somebody who knows their motors will pick it up from you quite quickly
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
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From: The Top of Utah
Bluevette85, bigcityvette, MrNuke,
Interesting! I wonder what happened. I have never seen any more of my crankshaft than what extends forward of the front main bearing. My 1984-89 Corvette Y Parts and Illustration Catalog, "group 0.646, Crankshaft, engine", says, "84-85 Y (5.7-8).....3932444". My Corvette 1984 Specifications manual, states, "Engine: Crankshaft: Material: Nodular cast iron." I Googled "3932444" and ended up here:
http://www.google.com/search?q=39324...e=off&filter=0
I don't know if that URL will endure, or not. some of the listings on that page definitely list the 3932444 as a cast crank.
At this first link, the crankshaft is addressed in the 4th paragraph of the second post. http://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/show...hreadid=278538
At this next link, under "detailed description", the crankshaft is described in the 12th and 13 line. http://69.20.110.81/index.asp?PageAc...D&ProdID=24755
There are more links verifyung that the part number is a cast crank. It is hard to doubt three knowledgeable posters, but I wonder where the break down is? Is my parts book wrong? The description of the part number holds up in too many places for that to be wrong. Did Chevy run out of cast cranks???
RACE ON!!!
Interesting! I wonder what happened. I have never seen any more of my crankshaft than what extends forward of the front main bearing. My 1984-89 Corvette Y Parts and Illustration Catalog, "group 0.646, Crankshaft, engine", says, "84-85 Y (5.7-8).....3932444". My Corvette 1984 Specifications manual, states, "Engine: Crankshaft: Material: Nodular cast iron." I Googled "3932444" and ended up here:
http://www.google.com/search?q=39324...e=off&filter=0
I don't know if that URL will endure, or not. some of the listings on that page definitely list the 3932444 as a cast crank.
At this first link, the crankshaft is addressed in the 4th paragraph of the second post. http://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/show...hreadid=278538
At this next link, under "detailed description", the crankshaft is described in the 12th and 13 line. http://69.20.110.81/index.asp?PageAc...D&ProdID=24755
There are more links verifyung that the part number is a cast crank. It is hard to doubt three knowledgeable posters, but I wonder where the break down is? Is my parts book wrong? The description of the part number holds up in too many places for that to be wrong. Did Chevy run out of cast cranks???
RACE ON!!!
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,517
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Originally Posted by danno85
My '85 had forged pistons but a cast crank. A cast crank will ring also. It was also a 2-bolt block.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
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From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by danno85
My '85 had forged pistons but a cast crank. A cast crank will ring also. It was also a 2-bolt block.
Originally Posted by Pete K
I have 4 or 5 cast 350 one pc seal cranks floating around. For some reason they seem to ring like a bell. I kept them thinking they were forged. The casting number and thin parting line tell me all of mine are cast.
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