1996 truck engine?

GT6Steve

GT6Steve

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Jul 13, 2008
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Las Vegas Nevada
Hey guys,

I had a used engine delivered last night in the hopes of making an improvement to the 1981 Corvette engine I have. Ideally I'd like to build a spare engine and then just swap it in on a weekend.

The complete engine delivered is said to be out of a 1996 C20 truck. It has a bad bearing somewhere and will need to be rebuilt.

Do I have anything useful here for my $200? Is it comparable to my 81 motor? Can bits be interchanged?

I can get numbers from it this weekend and do a google perhaps but it'll take me weeks to dredge out the knowledge you guys already have. :kissass:

Thanx in advance, Steve
 
It will be a roller motor and that's a nice benefit. They are better in all respects to your stock 81 engine. The only thing is that those rollers w/ 1pc rear main seal engines are not true 100% internally balanced, they don't have the external rear balance pad on the crank. As such you will need the specific flywheel/flexplate. Your old one won't fit anyway but the 1pc seal ones are weighted

Only thing is, you say it's a 96, didn't those only come with the vortec 7400 gen6 big block (roller cam big block), no 5.7s??? I thought 95 was the last year for those.
 
Searching google I have found both references, some saying big block only and others saying it was the first year?? One reference mentioned a 5300 series I need to look into more.

My supplier mentioned he had the flywheel or flexplate, I better follow up on that.

Thank You immensely for that precious bit of information....:beer:
 
Of course, Marck is right about the later block.
Steve, you didn't say the size/displacement and Marck is throwing out the "B" word. You sure it's a 350? BTW, this is exactly what I did with my '81. My block was from a '92 C1500. Full roller, one piece main and I haven't looked back.
As for what will work on it and what won't, there may or may not be a provision for a mechanical pump, as stated, the cranks are different and the cam/lifters are different, which require a different timing chain. Otherwise, everything else transplants. I'm running early '70s 2.02 heads on my block (for now) until I get the AFR heads built.
One of these days we need to get together and start playing with some of these toys.
 
Of course you're correct CD, Sorry about that.

It's supposed to be a 350 and the research I'm doing is based upon that assumption. I'll have to get some numbers from it tonight to be sure. So far it seems I did OK as the heads alone seem viable for the 81 block, disregarding the improved cam setup.


Steve
 
Check the heads. I think the 96 truck 350's came with Vortec heads. This will require a special intake manifold if you want to keep it carburated. If it does have Vortec heads and you have a high lift came, machine work will be necessary on the valve spring seats
 
The Vortec will have a roller cam, plastic timing chain cover with a crank sensor in it.

I would fix the spun bearing and throw that long block in your 81 with a nice aftermarket intake to bolt a carb to those heads. It is a shame that you don't live closer to me. I have a complete 1 piece main 350 rotating assembly from a 383 build sitting in the corner of my garage that I would hook you up with.
 
At the drivers side rear of the block I find a stamped number CM1113872. The ones look more like slashes but it's hard to say.

The timing cover seems to be steel from a quick scratch and there's no discernable sensor built in. There is however a 5/16" tube bracket above the balancer at the front.

Can't wait to see what I've got here....
 
Sounds like you have a TBI engine. Also very likely coming from a 96 3/4 ton. If that is what it is, it will still be a good platform. You can add the factory roller cam to that block yet.
 
Well hell,

Whatever I've got here it's not a Vortec. It is the dirtiest most gummed up POS I've seen in a long time. Seems to have the original oil.....

With the TBI manifold off the first thing I noticed was the big heat riser in the center of the head.

Then with the head off I find a big open, round chamber with a square pad in the center for the plug. 1.94/1.5 valves with a casting # of 14102183. Hard to find that number in the listings.

Partial vin is K0830UZA.


I'll take these to my machinist and see if they'll help the 81. I don't recall any details about the heads on it beyond the fact he hated them at the shop.


As tickled as I was to think I had a Vortec I'm still satisfied with the price as all I asked for was a suitable engine to rebuild and swap in on a weekend.
 
Tearing this engine down has produced the most extraordinary globs of carbon I've ever seen. I'm used to working on race motors that are clean inside and out so I expected some filth here but I am astounded. The entire lifter valley is full of black oozy rocks.

Bores seem remarkably good but for the one with some rust damage that must've been the seizure they pulled it for. I haven't pulled any rods yet but they appear fine at this point. I think we can rule out the bearing failure initially reported.

I think I got the basic small block rebuildable I bargained for..,..:amused:
 
Steve, honestly, who gives a shit as long as it's rebuildable? It's a roller block. Build it and don't look back. My L-81 is sitting in a storage shed and I'm debating on just listing it on Craigslist and getting rid of that boat anchor.
Vortec or not, aluminum heads would be a better choice anyway so the foundation is really all I would care about.
 
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