Tech / General Engine Is your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

350 truck motor vs 350 car motor

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 21, 2002 | 02:58 PM
  #1  
zNucleaRz's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 755
Likes: 0
From: Newport News, Va
Car: 84 Z28
Engine: GMPP 350 HO
Transmission: 700R4 + Shift Kit
Axle/Gears: Auburn Posi; Richmond 3:73 Gears
350 truck motor vs 350 car motor

ok whats the difference between a 350 truck motor and a 350 car motor? is there anything different internally? like the crank rods pistons? cause i can get a 350 truck motor for about 400 complete. and i wanted to top it off with the holley systemax II kit... what do yall think?
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2002 | 03:08 PM
  #2  
SinthetikIroc's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 542
Likes: 0
From: Haverhill, Ma
Car: Corvette
Engine: 5.7
Transmission: 700R4
truck is more likely to have 4 bolt mains i beleive.
the cam would be different. setup for more low end than high.
but the 350 block is a 350 block
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2002 | 06:47 PM
  #3  
rezinn's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,813
Likes: 2
From: California
Another difference is that cars got roller cams sooner than trucks, so if you get an early 90s or late 80s truck block, it may have a flat tappet cam BUT may also have provisions to be drilled to accept a factory roller system. Make sure you know what you're getting.
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2002 | 12:51 PM
  #4  
DukeofBird's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Clinton, IA
ok truck motors got roller cams in 1987, and as for four bolt mains, most trucks 3/4 ton or larger had four bolt mains, but all after 1987(smallblock anyway) had roller cams
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2002 | 02:00 PM
  #5  
AJ_92RS's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 4,969
Likes: 0
From: USA
Car: yy wife, crazy.
Engine: 350, Vortecs, 650DP
Transmission: TH-350
Axle/Gears: 8.5", 3.42
Originally posted by DukeofBird
ok truck motors got roller cams in 1987, and as for four bolt mains, most trucks 3/4 ton or larger had four bolt mains, but all after 1987(smallblock anyway) had roller cams
Willing to bet money that trucks after '87 got roller cams?

I bought a 350 4bolt main out of a 90 GMC 3/4 ton and guess what, it has no roller cam. And I know this to be the original engine 'cause I bought the engine from a roofing company. They've had the truck since new and their mechanic has been working there longer than the truck has.

This block does have all the provisions for a roller cam, but did not come with a roller cam.
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2002 | 03:10 PM
  #6  
Mark A Shields's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 7,164
Likes: 1
From: Someone owes me 10,000 posts
Car: 99 Formula
Engine: LS1
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 342
I got the GM Goowrench motor 350 which is basically a truck replacement motor. The cam in it is horrible only power to like 3500 rpms.
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2002 | 03:23 PM
  #7  
Morley's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,099
Likes: 2
Originally posted by Mark A Shields
I got the GM Goowrench motor 350 which is basically a truck replacement motor. The cam in it is horrible only power to like 3500 rpms.
I got the same engine with the intent to change the heads and cam anyway. I put in a Summit flat tappet cam and TFS heads and the engine runs beautifully.
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2002 | 04:00 PM
  #8  
88 350 tpi formula's Avatar
Supreme Member
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3,544
Likes: 19
From: WI,USA
Car: 89 FORMULA 350, 91 Z28 Convertible
Engine: ls1, LB9
Transmission: t56, Auto
Axle/Gears: S60/ 3.73
not all got the blocks with the set up for roller cams, I have gone through the bone yard and found a few 87-89 blocks that don't also one of my friends c/k blazer(88) did not have it also. I would say 9 out of 10 do so check the lifter area if you can.
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2002 | 05:01 PM
  #9  
boogie's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Coushatta LA
V8 truck engines did not get a hydraulic roller until 96. All V8 TBI trucks had flat tappet cams. The blocks have provision for a factory hydraulic roller set up. Some of the earlier blocks are not threaded where the lifter guide retainer mounts but the bosses are there.
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2002 | 08:40 PM
  #10  
boogie's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Coushatta LA
Just today I replaced the intake gasket on a 89 305 tbi truck and the block does not have provision for a factory hydraulic roller cam. I have yet to see a 90-up V8 tbi truck motor that will not accept a factory hydraulic roller.

Sorry about the error in the above post.
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2002 | 08:55 PM
  #11  
Mark A Shields's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 7,164
Likes: 1
From: Someone owes me 10,000 posts
Car: 99 Formula
Engine: LS1
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 342
Originally posted by Morley
I got the same engine with the intent to change the heads and cam anyway. I put in a Summit flat tappet cam and TFS heads and the engine runs beautifully.
Man, mine isn't runnin right at all? What carb you usin?
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2002 | 11:52 PM
  #12  
Morley's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,099
Likes: 2
Originally posted by Mark A Shields
Man, mine isn't runnin right at all? What carb you usin?
TPI, and it runs like a champ.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MustangBeater20
TBI
11
Oct 29, 2022 09:20 PM
jhawkeye
Engine Swap
5
May 25, 2022 06:33 PM
theshackle
Tech / General Engine
4
Mar 5, 2017 06:37 PM
squiggy2
TPI
4
Aug 9, 2015 09:30 PM
mustangman65_79
Tech / General Engine
4
Aug 8, 2015 01:18 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:55 PM.