I have the opportunity to purchase a very nice shortblock. But it is an older 350. appx 78-85 block. Can I basically use the TPI on this engine and still pass smog? I will only be using a relatively mild cam and some better heads along with probably a widemouth intake and some porting to an otherwise stock top end. Will it pass smog? I live in california and am worried about this. My engine doesn't seem to be doing so well, and I have been wanting to replace it with something more solid for quite some time now. Anyways, thanks in advance fellas

Will

 

Yea, you can use your TPI and pass smog if you switch everything over.

What are you going to do about the 2 piece rear seal?
Also, its not a roller block, so you have to get a flat tappet cam and lifters...not cool.

 

Can you elaborate on the roller part. Obviously I know the two are 1, hydraulic roller and 2 flat tappet. but what exactly does that mean? Thanks man

Will

 

The motor you have right now uses a 1 piece rear main seal, which is not prone to leaking like the 2 piece main seals are. As for roller vs flat tappet

Roller lifters is just what they are, they have a roller on the end of the lifter which goes around the cam lobes, letting the lifters ride the cam easier freeing up hp and doesn't create as much wear.

A flat tappet has a flat bottom on the lifter which runs on the cam lobe, the lobes are not as steep an angle as roller cams are, but can rob you of a bit of hp and the cam lobes can wear faster than a roller.

All 86+ blocks in the f-body and Corvette are roller cams and 1 piece rear main seal.

 

Not quite. All 86+ blocks are one-piece rear main seal, but only 87+ are roller cam.

 

Ahh, I see, learn something new every day around here