Swap Meet blocks
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13
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From: Columbiaville, MI
Car: 1986 TA
Transmission: T5
Swap Meet blocks
Hello,
So I went to a huge swap meet at the michigan state fair grounds today in hope of maybe getting something for my 86 TA. Well I did! I found a 1987-later 350 four-bolt block with heads for $150. Seemed good enough for a decent looking block. Then I started looking for a one piece crank, I found a guy with one and he wanted to sell me the 2-bolt 350 block it came out of for $25. I figured why not so I came out of there with two blocks, a set of heads and a crank, for 175. So heres my questions: the casting on the 4-bolt is 14093638, how do I know if this is a roller engine? standard lifters fit the holes just fine I mean as far as their diameter. The 2-bolt is 14088548, and the heads are 0110810, can anyone tell me about these? Also would the crank and rods from my 305 work alright, the 305 does not have centerbolt covers, does that mean it's for sure a two piece seal? What about my flywheel? I'm worried that a roller one piece 350 will nickle and dime me to death. Other than all that I'm pretty happy, I hope the blocks check out ok.
Thanks
So I went to a huge swap meet at the michigan state fair grounds today in hope of maybe getting something for my 86 TA. Well I did! I found a 1987-later 350 four-bolt block with heads for $150. Seemed good enough for a decent looking block. Then I started looking for a one piece crank, I found a guy with one and he wanted to sell me the 2-bolt 350 block it came out of for $25. I figured why not so I came out of there with two blocks, a set of heads and a crank, for 175. So heres my questions: the casting on the 4-bolt is 14093638, how do I know if this is a roller engine? standard lifters fit the holes just fine I mean as far as their diameter. The 2-bolt is 14088548, and the heads are 0110810, can anyone tell me about these? Also would the crank and rods from my 305 work alright, the 305 does not have centerbolt covers, does that mean it's for sure a two piece seal? What about my flywheel? I'm worried that a roller one piece 350 will nickle and dime me to death. Other than all that I'm pretty happy, I hope the blocks check out ok.
Thanks
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From: Orland Park, IL
Car: 1984 Z28
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From: USA
Another guy posted this in another thread.
Originally posted by AJ_92RS
SeanTimothy,
Why do you want a roller cam?
Why do you want a 4 bolt main?
If you're absolutely sure that you HAVE TO HAVE those two things then I'll break this down for you so it's very easy for you to understand.
There are only a few casting numbers that are Gen I blocks and have ...
1.) One pc rear main seal
2.) Provisions for a factory GM roller cam
They are...
1.) Casting # 10243880 ... 350 cid ... '95-'00 ... 2 or 4 bolt mains ... Vortec truck, Gen.I crate motors and "ZZ4", roller cam, one piece rear seal
2.) Casting # 14011148 ... 350 cid ... '87-'89 ....... Roller cam, one-piece rear seal
3.) Casting # 14088526 ... 350 cid ... '87-'89 ....... Roller cam, one-piece rear seal
4.) Casting # 14093638 ... 350 ... '87-'95 ... 2 or 4 mains ... Roller or flat tappet cam, one-piece rear seal
From the looks of it, there are only two that have the possibility of having 4 bolt mains; #1 and #4.
The ONLY way to find out...
And I'll say that again so you fully understand;
The ONLY way to find out is to pull off the oil pan and look. You have to do that. There are no numbers on the block that will tell you. I can't tell you. ede can't tell you. The guy at the scrapyard can't tell you. Not even Cleo (or Cloe, or whatever the hell her name is) can tell you. You have to look for yourself.
You can increase your chances IF you find one that is in a 1987-1991 Corvette, or a 1987-1998 3/4 ton - 1 ton pickup truck. But you still have to pull the pan and look.
Hopefull that helps you decide if you need to stick with what you have, or go on a scavenger hunt.
SeanTimothy,
Why do you want a roller cam?
Why do you want a 4 bolt main?
If you're absolutely sure that you HAVE TO HAVE those two things then I'll break this down for you so it's very easy for you to understand.
There are only a few casting numbers that are Gen I blocks and have ...
1.) One pc rear main seal
2.) Provisions for a factory GM roller cam
They are...
1.) Casting # 10243880 ... 350 cid ... '95-'00 ... 2 or 4 bolt mains ... Vortec truck, Gen.I crate motors and "ZZ4", roller cam, one piece rear seal
2.) Casting # 14011148 ... 350 cid ... '87-'89 ....... Roller cam, one-piece rear seal
3.) Casting # 14088526 ... 350 cid ... '87-'89 ....... Roller cam, one-piece rear seal
4.) Casting # 14093638 ... 350 ... '87-'95 ... 2 or 4 mains ... Roller or flat tappet cam, one-piece rear seal
From the looks of it, there are only two that have the possibility of having 4 bolt mains; #1 and #4.
The ONLY way to find out...
And I'll say that again so you fully understand;
The ONLY way to find out is to pull off the oil pan and look. You have to do that. There are no numbers on the block that will tell you. I can't tell you. ede can't tell you. The guy at the scrapyard can't tell you. Not even Cleo (or Cloe, or whatever the hell her name is) can tell you. You have to look for yourself.
You can increase your chances IF you find one that is in a 1987-1991 Corvette, or a 1987-1998 3/4 ton - 1 ton pickup truck. But you still have to pull the pan and look.
Hopefull that helps you decide if you need to stick with what you have, or go on a scavenger hunt.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13
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From: Columbiaville, MI
Car: 1986 TA
Transmission: T5
Thank you guys, see the resources I have found have been very vague. I understood that the 4-bolt could be roller or flat tappet. What I want to know is WHAT am I looking for? It is just the block and caps, there is nothing else, like I said the numbers say it could be either, it doesn't look any different as far as I can tell, but I don't know what i'm looking for. Anyone have any thoughts about wether my 86 305 is 2-piece or not?
thank you
thank you
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From: USA
A block with a 1 pc rear main seal has a HUGE adaptor on the rear of the block. And the crank is perfectly round on the back.
A block with a 2 pc rear main has an funny doo-hicky shaped flange on the back of the crank.
A roller block will have three little bolt holes in the lifter valley, all through the center; front to rear. They hold the big metal thingy called a "spider".
The "spider" thingy holds the retainers that keep the lifter from spinning in their bores; AKA "dog bones".
Regardless if there's a roller cam installed, you'll see the 3 little perches in the lifter valley.
A block with a 2 pc rear main has an funny doo-hicky shaped flange on the back of the crank.
A roller block will have three little bolt holes in the lifter valley, all through the center; front to rear. They hold the big metal thingy called a "spider".
The "spider" thingy holds the retainers that keep the lifter from spinning in their bores; AKA "dog bones".
Regardless if there's a roller cam installed, you'll see the 3 little perches in the lifter valley.
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Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Jackson County
silly question time, how'd you know you bought a one piece roller block if you're asking now how to tell if it's a roller block? a roller block would have provisions for the spider, cam retainer and one piece crank seal. all you should be able to see and tell by looking at the block. the 305 rods would work not the crank.
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