Will any sbc fit?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Will any sbc fit?
So I'm doin a bunch of research here for building my car (all while trying to keep it from fallin apart until I have the money to build it), and I'm thinking of building my own 350 for it. Will any old sbc fit inside my 84 or are there constraints? I'm new to the American car thing, I've been living in the diesel truck and Japanese sports car world for a bit now. I'd love to do a mild 350 build with a junkyard block and do it on the cheap (This article has me really thinkin hard about it https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/10...-engine-build/), so will any old sbc fit without issue? Thanks!
Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 655
Likes: 164
From: Vancouver Washington
Up to late 1986 for corvette all SBC were two piece rear main crankshaft seal. From late 86 to 96 they are one piece rear main seal and were roller lifter engines.
For your 84 I suggest any 350 prior to 1986.
For your 84 I suggest any 350 prior to 1986.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Awesome thanks! and I imagine all my accessories will bolt up fine?
Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 655
Likes: 164
From: Vancouver Washington
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,720
Likes: 555
From: Seattle Washington
I recommend going the other direction on a budget build and modernizing to a 1 piece rear seal block. You didn't mention if you have an Automatic or Manual Trans so you will need a new Flex Plate or Flywheel. Buy a Vortec Truck SBC anything SBC used is selling dirt cheap these days. My Machinist was telling me how these blocks were machined with more modern equipment and had electronic control and they just don't wear out like the blocks of the past. If your building a some what modern engine you want a Hyd Roller Cam and thats what Vortecs came with You might be able to reuse the Lifters and if not they are cheap compared to the aftermarket ones you will need for a one piece Block. The Vortec Heads are also some of the best GM produced but they crack easy and you will need a specific Intake Manifold. Or bolt on a set of Aluminum Heads. You will want the Oil Pan that came with it. I recently built one of these using a 383 rotating assembly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,942
Likes: 1,490
From: New Jersey
The later block (638 or 880 casting) is the way to go. Factory lifter retention and support for a roller cam if you want, better RMS, and overall better tolerances on the blocks in a lot of cases. The only oddball thing about the "vortec" blocks is some of them have shorter bores. Not an issue on a 350 but on a 383 could be a problem. Ive never come across one like that but there are multiple reports they exist... if you find a good running low milage vortec 350 block from a 96-00 truck you could have the heads modified to accept the older bolt pattern and just bolt the CFI stuff on and go (if you plan to keep it CFI) the cam is close enough, so the ECM will work fine and everything else should be able to be bolted on. Or just swap heads. Some later 880 blocks don't have the water pump bypass hole if I recall correctly as well. And then just find a stock replacement oil pan from like an 87 vette.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 823
Likes: 106
From: Somewhere near Fort Wayne, Indiana
There is a lot of info being thrown out here.
Any sbc will physically fit. It is pretty much the same engine from 1955 to, at least to 1991, possibly later. There have been a few changes over the years, such as factory roller cams, the switch from two piece crank seal to one piece, and intake manifold bolt angle I think are the major ones, so you'll want to be sure all your parts will fit together.
Any sbc will physically fit. It is pretty much the same engine from 1955 to, at least to 1991, possibly later. There have been a few changes over the years, such as factory roller cams, the switch from two piece crank seal to one piece, and intake manifold bolt angle I think are the major ones, so you'll want to be sure all your parts will fit together.
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 325
From: San Antonio Tx
Like they said, 96-99 trucks and vans used roller cam, the truck pan will fit and they also have the good PM rods. Everything bolts on the same. My 96 truck block has four bolt mains too. Millions of chevy trucks and vans were made with these motors. I see no reason to use an early block.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 198
From: Meriden CT
Like they said, 96-99 trucks and vans used roller cam, the truck pan will fit and they also have the good PM rods. Everything bolts on the same. My 96 truck block has four bolt mains too. Millions of chevy trucks and vans were made with these motors. I see no reason to use an early block.
One other thing about smallblock vortecs among all the other good information previously mentioned: Yhey have a mechanical fuel pump boss but the hole for the pump rod is not drilled. I just use a low psi electric pump for my carbureted vehicles.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Thanks for all the info guys this has been great. I'm going to save up a bit for a new OD because of course mine decides to start going out when I want to build an engine but once that's taken over I'll start piecing a junker motor together, this has been a huge help!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,942
Likes: 1,490
From: New Jersey
That's whats confusing about Chevys way of naming the different engines. The Vortec name was used on both the Vortec headed traditional smallblock as well as the LS versions untill production of the smallblock ended. The LS got powdered metal rods with cracked cap, the traditional smallblock got forged rods with machined caps.
One other thing about smallblock vortecs among all the other good information previously mentioned: Yhey have a mechanical fuel pump boss but the hole for the pump rod is not drilled. I just use a low psi electric pump for my carbureted vehicles.
One other thing about smallblock vortecs among all the other good information previously mentioned: Yhey have a mechanical fuel pump boss but the hole for the pump rod is not drilled. I just use a low psi electric pump for my carbureted vehicles.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 198
From: Meriden CT
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