Engine Swap
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Engine Swap
So my 86 has been overheating, so i pulled the radiator, cleaned it, replaced the thermostat, water pumps fine, now when i crank it it starts smoking, i was going to try keeping the fan on and testing it, but i think im leaking oil as well.
So im going to pull the engine and replace it with a carburated 350, we have a couple laying around, so im getting my uncle to come down and help me finish building the 350 my dad had in one of our 64's and put it in the 86. Anyone have any thoughts or advice on wat to look out for? thanks
So im going to pull the engine and replace it with a carburated 350, we have a couple laying around, so im getting my uncle to come down and help me finish building the 350 my dad had in one of our 64's and put it in the 86. Anyone have any thoughts or advice on wat to look out for? thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
well... the older 350 may not fit up right. The accessory bolts may not align up.
Going to carb will mean gutting out the emissions systems, but you still need the HEI distributor.
Others will chime in, but for my .02, installing a carb based engine is going backwards. Oh, and be sure you don't have any emissions testing in your area.... that will so fail.
Going to carb will mean gutting out the emissions systems, but you still need the HEI distributor.
Others will chime in, but for my .02, installing a carb based engine is going backwards. Oh, and be sure you don't have any emissions testing in your area.... that will so fail.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Ok so ive got the 350, and debating wether to make it a 383 or not before dropping it in.. here it is now.
Another question is how costly is the 383 conversion. Ive seen kits around 1000 that seem to have everything, just checking.
Another question is how costly is the 383 conversion. Ive seen kits around 1000 that seem to have everything, just checking.
Last edited by harryadams; Jun 1, 2006 at 12:52 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by bogus
well... the older 350 may not fit up right. The accessory bolts may not align up.
Going to carb will mean gutting out the emissions systems, but you still need the HEI distributor.
Others will chime in, but for my .02, installing a carb based engine is going backwards. Oh, and be sure you don't have any emissions testing in your area.... that will so fail.
Going to carb will mean gutting out the emissions systems, but you still need the HEI distributor.
Others will chime in, but for my .02, installing a carb based engine is going backwards. Oh, and be sure you don't have any emissions testing in your area.... that will so fail.
You wouldn't be forced into "gutting out the emissions systems". Your 1986 doesn't have any emission control devices that didn't exist in the pre-computer age. You DON'T need an HEI distributor, but you cannot keep the one you have. The HEI IS desirable. If you go to a carb and eliminate the computer, you will have to replace your computer controlled HEI distributor with a mechanically controlled distributor. There ARE mechanically controlled HEIs.
As mentioned, going to a carb is stepping backward and has some adapting, trouble shooting, and expense involved. Why not simply transplant your TPI onto one of your spare 350s?
RACE ON!!!
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
o im sorry, i didnt specify with my last post. if you look in the pic i have decided to keep the tpi system, and i had an extra Intake manifold laying around, so im just going to transplant it onto the new one as you said, so im supposing it wont be too bad of a replacement, and the next question is, should i stroke it, hmmm...
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 184
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you can buy an eagle 383 stroker crank cast around $250 have machine shop cut main journels, that way you won't need a small base circle cam .external balanced flywheel & balancer. the power difference will surprise you
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by hip
you can buy an eagle 383 stroker crank cast around $250 have machine shop cut main journels, that way you won't need a small base circle cam .
RACE ON!!!