C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Engine Swap

Old May 26, 2006 | 05:17 PM
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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
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Old May 26, 2006 | 05:47 PM
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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.
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Old May 26, 2006 | 06:00 PM
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ya right now, (South Georgia) , Theres no emissions testing. So the accessory bolts might give me some troubles? thanks, if anyone has any other advice or anything to add id appreciate it.

Thanks
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Old Jun 1, 2006 | 12:30 PM
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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.

Last edited by harryadams; Jun 1, 2006 at 12:52 PM.
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Old Jun 1, 2006 | 01:55 PM
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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.
Not necessarily all small blocks, of any vintage, but any 350 will have all the necessary accessory mounting bolt holes.

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!!!
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Old Jun 1, 2006 | 02:00 PM
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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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Old Jun 1, 2006 | 02:07 PM
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Of course.

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Old Jun 1, 2006 | 04:40 PM
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hasn't every guy stroked it at least once?

seriously. punch it out to a minimum or 383 and don't look back
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Old Jun 2, 2006 | 04:32 PM
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haha i guess while its already out, why not go ahead and stroke it, can anyone recommend a good/decently priced kit for me to look into? thnx again
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Old Jun 2, 2006 | 11:29 PM
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my 400 block the lower power stearing bracket bolt was not tapped on block.
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Old Jun 2, 2006 | 11:38 PM
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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
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Old Jun 3, 2006 | 12:17 PM
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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 .
If you reduce the size of the main journals on a 383 crank (2.45"), what do you use for a block? An early 327, 283 and why? Reducing the main journal size has NO effect on camshaft clearance. GM built tens of thousands of 400 engines with the 383 (3.75") stroke, and I've never heard of crankshaft to camshaft interference. And the 400 uses even larger main bearings than the 383.

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