Hey guys, still kind of new at this...


So I was offered this incredible deal on a rebuilt 1968 350 engine and I'd really like to know if I could comfortably fit this thing and run it in my 89 IROC. Obviously, I would need to replace the intake and install the TPI setup, which isn't any big deal, along with maybe a few sensors and whatnot, but could it really be that easy? Is there anything innately different about the older V8s that would make it unable to run in a newer style car?

Thanks in advance, guys.

 

The '68 engine is the same design as an '85 V-8 engine, except for the dipstick location. Depending upon the heads installed, the accessory mounting holes on the ends may or may not be present. If the exhaust manifolds are included, they may not work with a stock ThirdGen Y-Pipe and likely won't have air injection provisions.

You aren't locked into a TPI, either, since carbureted engines were available in F-Cars through 1987, and you should be able to meet emissions standards for those engines by creating a clone of the CCC control system.

 

Its been done many many times, I've done it a few times. As Vader said carb is probably the way to go.. much easier of a swap. If you want to run the TPI setup you may need to do a cam swap on it as well if you want it to run decent. Depending on what cam is in it now it may be a bad choice for a tpi car.

 

And as always, since those heads DON'T have the bolt holes if they're really what you're saying they are, you won't be able to include minor conveniences in your car like.... an alternator; let alone power steering or A/C.

But the block is pretty much the same, except that the dipstick location is INCOMPATIBLE with the exh manifolds for these cars. Do away with the old heads, and put something better on it, and sell the heads to somebody with a pre-69 car that can use them. You'll just be FORCED to use headers. What a shame.

If it was me, I'd stick with the TPI, if it's all there and working right; maybe even use the 305 heads on the block, if the compression wouldn't be too high, and just get a suitable cam.

 

This basically verifies everything that I thought. I'd like to avoid the cam swap if at all possible, which means I'm probably going to stick with the carb, but now I'm leaning towards buying a roller exclusively for this engine. I have the TPI setup, and the blown 305 would make a nice doner for the heads. (305 heads work on 350's, right?) There are so many reasons why I would like to drop this thing into my previously 305 IROC, but on the same token, I can think of a lot of reasons not to. I know what a good TPI system can do, but I've been told it's a far cry from what performance carb is capable of, especially if it's a 375 HP 350, so there's definitely some thought to be put into this. I guess the real question in the end would be what to do with the 305 that I just bought.

 

I got lost in your last post. I'm kinda slow, how about bullet points each ending with a question mark? So I know what you're asking? Maybe it's past my bedtime...

305 heads work on a 350, yes.
TPI system is ok, but once you want high RPM power out, things get pricey, much more so than a carb. Also, carbs are cheaper and easier to tune (got a screwdriver?) compared to TPI (got a laptop, and such and such cable, and this software, and...)


This didn't make any sense to me. Can you explain that?

oh, also - what kind of "good deal" is this 350? I know I have read a few members talk about getting a good deal (and I know sofa is bitter from reading threads like that), which turn out to be "not such a good deal" later. Something along the lines of "yea, this motor was smokin' hot in my chevelle back in the day! These 882 heads and torquer 2 and 3/4 race cam rock! I parked the car in 1990 'cuz it was making a slight "tick".. I'm pretty sure it went away... Should fire right up!
Gotta make sure to read between the lines...

 

Sonix,

Sorry if my language confused you. To clarify, the word "roller" that I used in the above post denotes a car, preferably a thirdgen, that is without an engine. The "deal" that I'm refering to may or may not be all that great of a deal, I guess I'm just comparing it to the asking prices of many junked up 80's 350's that I find around here; the seller wants 500 for the engine, and from where I stand, it's a deal. I know there is the obvious question, "why doesnt he just sell it to someone else and make a killing" and I've pondered it myself and come to the conclusion that he simply doesnt want to have to deal with the shipping costs and complications.

At the moment, I've already dropped a 305 from a T/A into my IROC, and I don't fancy pulling it out again anytime soon, so I'm not sure what's going to happen to my 68 350 - I have a few days left to make my decision, and I don't think I have enough money to buy another car to warrent the purchase of the engine.

 

it says u have a v6 sc under your name.. theres a good car to put it in!

 

Ha! That V6 in my profile died some months ago. It's body didn't even warrent an oil change, much less another engine! It was sunset orange and left about three pounds of rust on the ground everytime you slammed the door. Whenever I drove by a boneyard, I could literally feel the thing shimmy over in its direction; it really wanted to die. Now it's just sitting in the driveway waiting for me to let it go, which I may do soon... it was my first car, I love it too much!