1986 350? or.....1979 350.........car now has a 86 350, but yesterday found a 1979 350 for 200 bucks, is the 1979 engine a better choice cause its older, and will the 79 350 bolt up in place of the 86.......or should I keep what I got? John

The 79 350 may be a "010" block which were the block of choice for many. They came in 2 bolt & 4 bolt mains. Also a 2 peice rear-main seal.

The 86 will be a 2 bolt most likely & it has a 1 peice rear main.

If i had a choice & it was a "010" block i would consider buying it.

I just found out that the 350 is out of a 1979 Chevy full size van, so will it work in the iroc.......and will the tranny from the van work in the iroc also, would like to use both if possible...............what kind of factory horse did that year have as opposed to the 86? thanx

Is that 86 motor a roller? If it is i would definetly keep that and build it. Roller motors are far superior than anything that came before.

In the FWIW department:

'86 should be non-roller. Roller started in '87, but of course, many were cast in '86.

Mid-70's to early-80's were not the "glory years" for GM. If you've seen RB's post about blocks manufactured during those years, many were mis-machined in the lifter bores and starter mount.

The one 010 block I've had is one of two SBC's I've had with cracks in the lifter valley.

The one-piece rear main seal is a superior design.

Although a full-size van is sort of a "truck", they seemed to get the seconds when it came to engines. Can't back that up with facts, just an impression from what I've seen go wrong with them.

I can't think of any reason, given the above, to use the '79 block.