L98 block
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 495
Likes: 1
From: Spokane Washington
L98 block
I am looking for motor to put in a 66 fastback. I have the original block but I want to drive it for awhile before restoring.
I want to use a sbc, one piece seal, roller cam engine with mechanical fuel pump and carb to rebuild.
I can’t find a zz4, so I was trying to find a. 89 to 91corvette 350 core. Hard, all too expensive.
So several 350 truck Blocks out there 85 to 92ish. Which ones have 1. Provision for roller, 2. one piece seal, and 3. mechanical fuel pump.Most trucks have tpi which seam to not have mechanical fuel pump hole, do all carbureted motors have fuel pumps?
never know maybe I’ll have to 'go to fi.
thanks
Cal
I want to use a sbc, one piece seal, roller cam engine with mechanical fuel pump and carb to rebuild.
I can’t find a zz4, so I was trying to find a. 89 to 91corvette 350 core. Hard, all too expensive.
So several 350 truck Blocks out there 85 to 92ish. Which ones have 1. Provision for roller, 2. one piece seal, and 3. mechanical fuel pump.Most trucks have tpi which seam to not have mechanical fuel pump hole, do all carbureted motors have fuel pumps?
never know maybe I’ll have to 'go to fi.
thanks
Cal
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,941
Likes: 1,490
From: New Jersey
I am looking for motor to put in a 66 fastback. I have the original block but I want to drive it for awhile before restoring.
I want to use a sbc, one piece seal, roller cam engine with mechanical fuel pump and carb to rebuild.
I can’t find a zz4, so I was trying to find a. 89 to 91corvette 350 core. Hard, all too expensive.
So several 350 truck Blocks out there 85 to 92ish. Which ones have 1. Provision for roller, 2. one piece seal, and 3. mechanical fuel pump.Most trucks have tpi which seam to not have mechanical fuel pump hole, do all carbureted motors have fuel pumps?
never know maybe I’ll have to 'go to fi.
thanks
Cal
I want to use a sbc, one piece seal, roller cam engine with mechanical fuel pump and carb to rebuild.
I can’t find a zz4, so I was trying to find a. 89 to 91corvette 350 core. Hard, all too expensive.
So several 350 truck Blocks out there 85 to 92ish. Which ones have 1. Provision for roller, 2. one piece seal, and 3. mechanical fuel pump.Most trucks have tpi which seam to not have mechanical fuel pump hole, do all carbureted motors have fuel pumps?
never know maybe I’ll have to 'go to fi.
thanks
Cal
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 495
Likes: 1
From: Spokane Washington
You want to look for a 638 block. Most later ones have the lifter tray drilled but not used and have the boss for the fuel pump and that just needs to have the pushrod drilled. I picked up one for 25$ a few months ago and it had the fuel pump setup with a block off plate but still had flat tappet lifters. It was un touched otherwise and had a virgin bore. The 880 block is identical (used in 95 and up trucks) but the timing cover is a little different... less holes so you have to use that one. And the bores on some 880 blocks are shorter if you decide to go 383 that can be an issue. The 638 and L98 blocks are essentially the same just without the lifter tray in a 638. So you'd need the tray and cam plate which amounts to 50$ or so. That is the one I would use.
thanks
Cal
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,941
Likes: 1,490
From: New Jersey
Both I've had they're machined and tapped just not installed at the factory. On earlier ones you may have to tap the bosses in the lifter valley for the tray bolts. I haven't seen one without the cam retention plate holes yet but that doesn't mean they aren't out there. If you have a drill and tap set it isn't much of an issue imo. And an 880 block will have all of it for sure.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 325
From: San Antonio Tx
96 - 99 Chevy sold millions of trucks and vans with vortec 350's. I believe they are the same block casting that was used for GM's zz crate motors. They are all one piece rear main seal, roller cams, and some have four bolt mains. If you want iron heads they are the best production iron heads chevy made. If not, you can usually sell the heads and get back most of the cost of the motor. I have a four bolt main out of a 96 one ton. It has the mechanical fuel pump boss with threaded bolt holes. The pushrod hole was not drilled.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 13
the late blocks all had the provisions for a roller cam even if they came from the factory with a flat tappet as most of the Vortec truck engines like the L31 did.
https://www.gmperformancemotor.com/parts/12691671.html
https://www.gmperformancemotor.com/parts/12691673.html
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,941
Likes: 1,490
From: New Jersey
Summit hasn't had them in stock for a while. Last one I got I found a guy on market place looking to dump it for 20$. Mag and pressure checked. Tanked and bored ready to go for about 300. Summit is the way to go if it's in stock again however.