R1UK

Firstly hello from the UK.
This might seem the wrong way round, but i'm certain my 83 Trans Am has the wrong motor. According to everything else it should be 5litre, with a 4 barrel carb.
I cant tell the engine size atm as i just dont know, but the carb and appropriate manifold fitted now, is a GM varajet twin choke part number 17058112 which was not in any options ive seen.
I cant see the date code at the back [?], but the engine number at the front seems to be VO621CKA tho its a bit faint, i'm guessing its earlier that 83, but what it is from i'm not sure, and this engine will not idle at all, it runs ok at other speeds.
Having looked up everything i can i'm stuck, so i cant order parts.
It seems to have the same alternator\pump mounts of the proper engine, its not been thrown in, it fits perfectly, or as well as can be.
The registration id gives a different engine number, and also says its 4.5 litre?
I,m not bothered if its not 100%, but id-ing it is giving me a headache.
Ive checked the vin number, and that all ties up, also i have the original order\bill of sale, so i'm assuming theres been a motor blown up somewhere.
Thanks for any help.

flyitlikustolit

dude! welcome to the boards. check the bak of the block..... on the bellhousing flange on the driver's side, there is a markirng. it's the casting number, and it's 7 or 8 digits long, depending on the year. it'll be something like 3970010 (that's mine) or 14001020 (pulled that one out of my ***). if it's a newer block, it may even say "5.7" or "5.0" look back there, it'll tell you.also, take pictures. if you can't get back there, that may help us. good luck

R1UK

Thanks, and thanks for the reply.
Having done a bit of digging on the web [dont you just love it ]
It seems that carb was fitted to a 73 camaro, and guess what, CKA= 1973 350 145 2 manual trans. or=
CKA 1972 350 165 2 manual trans.
2 others are CKA but have 4 barrels.

As in 350 cubic inch [whats that in cc?? ] horsepower carbs and finally transmission.
Mines auto so assuming its been converted or similar.
Is there any real downside [or up] of having a much older 350 chevy engine in it?
If i could stop the idle from rising and falling that would be a start, thats why i think the carb is scrap.
Btw all emmission gear has been removed.

Forgot the links:

http://www.chevy-camaro.com/SBCblock.asp for the block id and :
http://userweb.suscom.net/~jasonrogers/carbnum.htm

It might explain why the motor fits so well, as its obviously similar castings, but its going to be a pain for getting bits.

flyitlikustolit

honestly, no. you're casting is probably the same as mine, check it one day. (3970010). a lot of guys are running earlier 350 blocks with no problems, and awesome power. consider yourself lucky, you don't have to do a 350 swap

flyitlikustolit

and parts are extemely easy to come by. shipping might be your problem, though.

R1UK

Well thats cheered me up a little.
Just that there are no options in the parts book for a Trans Am V8 with that carb, that and the registration says the Engine Number should be : 00V9TWK72H4 people here rarely notify engine swaps on older cars.
Theres a guy about 10 miles away who can get most parts shipped, usually 10-14 day wait [he says], probably not dead cheap, but thats the price.
Btw 10 miles is quite far in the UK, you can often walk to the nearest dealers !
Only thing we have going for us at times.

Am i correct in thinking its about 5.7 litre then, rather than the original 5?
It idles at about 20-25 psi, and runs about 30-32 i hope thats about right, which is similar to an old Rover [with Buick 3.5] of which ive had a few.

Thanks again for the help.

flyitlikustolit

sounds right. yeahm it's a 5.7 if it's a 350. I've got an mgb roadster project car with my dad in the garage. it's a 72 with the original leyland 1798cc engine. I've thought about pulling it and stuffing in a 4.0 rover V8 or a f0rd 302. good luck with the T/A, and if you need help or have questions, let us know.

R1UK

Been on to a few places, and i found the casting number after a search :
14010201 which is of course a 1980-84 engine, so its not a 5.7 after all, "only" a 5.0
I have ordered an Edelbrock manifold and Edelbrock 500 cfm Carburetor, with manual choke [ahhh the good old days] and a decent air filter plus gaskets.
Well it was'nt cheap, but i,m told that carb will suit economy slightly better, and i need the carb more than anything, in fact they reckon it could be the original engine with just a changed manifold/carb.
You live and learn.

flyitlikustolit

whoops. that sucks. wel, the carb and manifold will still bolt on, and it'll run great. and if you swap to a 5.7 later on, most anything you do to the 5.0 will swap over.

R1UK

Its unlikely i would ever find a cheap 5.7 here, or or one complete enough to chuck in, but i think i can live with it as it is.
The gearbox seems original, so the diff ratio will be correct at least.
Also i'm junking the cruise control as its partially removed anyway
I'm mainly going to use it just for days out, so reliability is more of an issue, because of the spares side of things, something really simple could leave it laid up.
Be nice to see your MG converted to MG8 type of specs btw.

flyitlikustolit

hehehehe... the likelyhood of me finding an old rover V8 is the same as you finding a 350. hehehe but thanks. My Dad's plan is to get it painted and running, and driving around for a while. mine is that after we get it painted and driving, i upgrade the brakes and rear end, and plop in a f)rd 302 with a t-5 from a 'stang. it would sit lower than a chevy, and it would be more fitting.... like the old tigers. (302 in a healey). I think you'll find that you're setup will be plenty reliable. Edelbrock carbs are pretty simple-stupid in operation, and their manifolds have been on countless cars with great sucess, including mine. keep us updated.