I have a 1985 v6 firebird. I swapped it out to 75 350 carb. It runs pretty good, but I noticed some oil leaking and got under it, looks like its coming from the rear seal and timing cover but it is kinda hard to tell since there is a lot of oil caked on it. I also have been having trouble with getting starters to fit, even with the mini starters I had to dent the headers and y pipe. I have now fried a couple since they are so close to the exhaust and I am really getting sick of it. Since I am probably going to have to pull the engine and rebuild it anyway I was thinking of getting another 350 and building that one up and putting it in. I am looking to get at least 350 hp and be able to buy parts that are for 3rd gens with out having to hope it will fit. What would a good engine be to start with? And what cam and heads? The new engine will be using tpi off a 89 vette that I just picked up instead of the carb.

 

If you'd used the small flywheel you wouldn't have had starter clearance issues.

 

That wouldn't move the starter away from the exhaust. I do not have the bolt holes for a non-staggered starter.

 

Would I have any problems with a 98 vortec motor fitting? Is it the same block as the 3rd gen 350's?

 

Externally, yes. The only changes are internal to the block and possible to the rear main seal. All the Vortec blocks use a 1-piece rear main seal. Your current block would use the older 2-piece seal.

Your TPI intake however won't bolt to the Vortec heads.

 

Ok, so basically all I would need is one of those base plates that mate vortecs to tpi's correct? Does anyone have a pn for those?

 

Correct.

TPI Vortec baseplate:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-3817/

Although I'd probably go with this one:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/WND-7542/

Its $100 cheaper, all your TPI stuff should swap over, and it will outflow your stock TPI runners at higher RPMs.

 

Awesome thank you. I was looking to bump the hp up a little before dropping the engine in, I want to do this right this time so I am not pulling the engine again. I do not know much about picking engine internals. What should I swap out to get around 350 hp?

 

The stock vortec heads will work fine for that power level so you can keep those. As well as all the bottom end parts(pistons/crank/oil pan/etc) assuming they are in good condition. You'll really just need a new cam and lifters as well as the Vortec intake or the baseplate I linked above. Then its just a matter of tuning the ECM.

I honestly don't know enough about cams to actually recommend a specific one. Apeiron or one of the other members more versed in cams can make a good recommendation for you there.

 

Ok, I am picking up the 98 vortec on friday. I am going to go with the weiand intake linked above. Will the stock throttle body be big enough or should I upgrade to the 58mm? And anyone have suggestions on the cam and lifters?

 

For the record: Yes, it does.

That's a different issue. Sounds like you're handling that with an engine change.

Plan on pulling the heads for new valve springs and retainers at least. Even better if you have the top of the valve guides cut down for positive-type stem seals, which will also give you more lift capability. A roller cam in the 26x-27x advertised duration will easily give you 350 FWHP with the Stealth Ram. I hear good things about the Comp XFI series cams. You probably don't "need" a 58mm TB, but if you have to buy one, you might as well get a 58mm.

Get an '86-'92 f-body V8 flexplate and starter.

 

Can you explain how that would move the starter please? When I first swapped in the 350 I checked and only saw the holes I used, I don't get where I would move it to. I have a complete tpi system so I was planning on using the stock throttle body unless I needed a bigger one. I have a v8 flexplate and starter from a 3rd gen. Neither fit the 75 350 block, hopefully they fit the vortec. Thanks, for the cam suggestion.

 

The stock flywheel has a smaller diameter, so the starter moves closer to the centerline of the engine to mesh with it, and hence farther from the exhaust.

 

If the flexplate didn't fit the '75 crankshaft, then it is probably '86-up and will fit the Vortec engine (if that is a 1-piece RMS flexplate). The Vortec block should already be drilled for the 153-tooth flexplate starter.

 

Sorry I should have been more clear. I got the flywheel part, I was just confused as to where I would be bolting the starter since I didn't see any other bolt holes. Maybe I just missed them though, my engine did have a lot of grime on it.

 

It would be unusual but not unheard-of for a 350 to be missing one of the 3 starter bolt holes.

 

Actually, until the 80's, they didn't have the 3rd starter mount bolt hole.

 

You probably weren't missing anything. Your block was missing the bolt hole.

 

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CC...s/?prefilter=1

So something like this cam?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TFS-15408/

With these springs?