Engine swap

Good morning,

Are you going to keep the carburetor system or go to fuel injection?

If you are keeping carburetor, then any 350 up to 1983 will work. After that they changed the way the valve covers bolted up and the heads were different for fitting manifolds.

Otherwise, nice conversion. If you still have the power glide, I would upgrade to a turbo 350 or 400 transmission.

Roy

I am keeping the carburetor, I have an Edlebrock four barrel, will that fit on a 350.

Okay, with the added power, I would consider the upgrade on that transmission.

You can go to www.car-part.com and look for a motor. They list a couple hundred 350 engines.

Another consideration is that GM made a 400 small block back in 1972. That might be a consideration for you as well.

Roy

Anything I need to know specifically about a transmission?

No, just a turbo 350 or 400 for a small block Chevrolet.

Roy

I got a guy saying the heads on the engine are 1979. Does that tell me anything about fitting in my car or do I need more information on it?

It is for a 350 I am buying.

That is good. Can you snap a picture of the engine for me to view?

Roy

There is two.

It looks good. The fact that it is black tells me it is a GM target motor.

Roy

I am also going to need a new radiator, any specifics on that?

You can use the old one. I would just have it power flushed out to be sure there is no clogs or restrictions.

Roy

Can I do that myself or do I have to take it to someone?

You need to take it to a radiator shop. Just the radiator.

Roy

Is there like a guide or book on how to take my 283 out and put the 350 or two separate guides or something I can use like that?

Okay, for the removal, you can look for a Haynes manual that will give you pictures and diagrams of the removal for your engine.

Look at a parts store or go online to Haynes website for the exact manual.

www.Haynes.com

Also, you could go to Alldata and get there DIY repair for the operation. I do not have anything that old to give you at this point. you can get a one or two day pass to Alldata and just print out the procedure you need.

www. Alldata.com

Roy

I have the engine removed, bought a new water pump, new thermostat, etc., just wondering what starter I need to buy, it’s a 350 sbc and I’ve found ones for a 327 and a 396 but no 350, what kind should I get?

You need one for a 350. There are millions of them out there.

They will not list one for a 67 since it never had a 350. You need to go up to about 72. Then they will be listed.

Roy

Appreciate your help, you telling me that they didn’t make 350 engine in the 60’s answered a lot of other questions for me

no 350 engines in the 60 until late. They used the 265,283, 327 engines.

Roy

As you can see this engine has a double groove pulley, does that mean it came out of a vehicle with power steering, and if so what all do I need to put power steering on it

No, not at all. You can leave it like this and just not use that part of the pulley.

Roy

And if I were to put power steering on it what all do I need to do it, just the pump or?

You need to install the pump, hoses and another steering box.

Roy

I’m pretty sure I need to buy a bigger flex plate ,but was just going to make sure if this one would work or not because I have searched everywhere and I can’t find a perfect fit.

What about the old one on the old engine?

Roy

Too small.

What year was the donor motor?

Roy

Not sure.

I think I found one for it.

Okay, If you can find out what year it came from, I might be able to help you find one.

Roy

How do I set the park plugs?

The wires specifically.

The plugs gt gaped at .035. Use a spark plug gapper.

Wires and the cap setting attached.

Roy

Might be a long shot but I’m putting this 350 turbo transmission on but don’t know anything about the linkages. is there anything I need to buy new? not sure what the old transmission was but I know the dipstick doesn’t fit.

You had a powerglide.

You now have the turbo 350.

You need the correct dipstick for that transmission.

Roy

Okay, is there anything else different I need to buy?

It is possible the driveshaft length may be different.

When you install it, check it and see if it is correct.

Roy

I don’t think it’s just me but it looks as if my engine is sitting too low, what should I do about this?

From your pictures, it all looks good.

Roy